Source: The Vandalia Union, Thursday, April 8, 1920
BODY FOUND FROZEN IN ICE FLOW
Frozen in a flow of ice which had drifted ashore the body of William J. Riley, assistant engineer of the Steamer John Owen, which sank in a Lake Superior storm last November, was found April 2nd by coast guards near Crisp Point, Mich. A life preserver was around the body and is the only one of the ill fated crew which has been recovered.
This man is supposed to be the husband of Lula May Hall, daughter of
Gilbert Hall of this city. They were married four years ago and lived in
East St. Louis and for a time in Philadelphia. She returned here two years
ago and in February of this year secured a divorce in the Fayette County
Circuit Court. The last she heard of her husband he was in Chicago and
said he was going farther away. If it is true that this man was her husband
then the divorce is null and she would be the beneficiary of his estate.