Game Warden William Peare and Game Warden William Nattkemper drowned in the Wabash River at Tecumseh, north of Terre Haute, after their boat took on water and capsized on a very windy day.

   Both wardens, along with three other wardens, had investigated the sound of gunshots and were returning upstream to destroy illegal fishing nets when their boat capsized. The other three wardens were able to swim to safety.

   The body of Game Warden Nattkemper was found on May 1 about a mile downstream. The body of Game Warden Peare was found on May 5 about two miles downstream near the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway bridge.

   Game Warden Peare, from Rockville, was survived by his wife, brother and sister.

The responsibilities of the Indiana Department of Conservation (1919–1965) are now under the jurisdiction of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.