Eddie Ray Bishop (1948 - 1964)

Born 17 Jul 1948 in Tallapoosa County, Alabama, United States

Ancestors

Died 1 Apr 1964 at age 15 in Chambers County, Alabama, United States

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Biography

Eddie Ray Bishop was born on July 17, 1948 in Tallapoosa County, Alabama, United States. He was the eldest son of John Will Bishop and his wife Cordell Walker Bishop.^[1]

On April fools day, Wednesday, April 1, 1964 Eddie left his home in Mountain Springs community of Tallapoosa County and went with four our five friends for a picnic on the shores of the Tallapoosa River. The river was swollen by spring rains and flowing swiftly. The river was known to have deep areas and undercurrents in places along its course. The boys were picnicking on Mule Shoe Bend near where Bibby's ferry had shuttled horses and wagons and later cars across the river for decades. The boys who were with Eddie reported that he removed his clothes and said he was going to swim across the river. He was almost to the other shore which was in Chambers County when they heard him yell for help. Since it was April fools day, they thought it was a joke. Then he disappeared under the water and did not reappear. Authorities were notified and a search began that went on day and night by Rescue squads working in shifts, dragging the river. The spring rains continued for two weeks and it was feared the body had been washed far down the river. Their efforts using grappling hooks to catch the body were difficult because he wore no clothes to catch on the hooks.^[2]

His body was found almost two weeks to the hour from the time he disappeared. Three children found the body only about a half mile from where he was last seen.^[3]

He was buried at the Mountain Spring Church Cemetery in Chambers County, Alabama, United States. He was only fifteen years old.^[1]

Research Notes

Eddie's middle name was given as Lee in one newspaper report.^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/37292005/eddie-ray-bishop : accessed 22 June 2021), memorial page for Eddie Ray Bishop (17 Jul 1948–1 Apr 1963), Find A Grave: Memorial #37292005, citing Mountain Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, Chambers County, Alabama, USA ; Maintained by Joan Bishop (contributor 47123436)
2. ↑ "High Water Impedes Search for Body of Youth on Tallapoosa," The Lafayette Sun, Lafayette, AL; 8 April 1964, Vol 84, #27, pg 1, col 7, Newspapers.com; (https://www.newspapers.com/image/537076017/, accessed 22 June 2021), Body not yet found, Eddie R. Bishop
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} "Body of Drowned Youth Recovered Last Wednesday", The Lafayette Sun, 22 April 1964; Vol 84, #29, pg 1, col 5; Newspapers.com; (https://www.newspapers.com/image/537076232/, accessed 22 June 2021); drowned April 1, 1964; Eddie Lee Bishop