EARL WILLIS SAVES BOY FROM DROWNING (1926)

WILLIS, FREDERICKSEN, FREDERICKS, JACOBSEN, FREDERICK

Posted By: Ken Akers (email)
Date: 2/24/2011 at 21:36:20

Audubon County Journal (IA)
May 27, 1926, pg 1
EARL WILLIS SAVES
BOY FROM DROWNING

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Monday night a number of boys
went to the swimmin' hole near the
old creamery site (Exira) to cool off. They
were enjoying the cool waters im-
mensely when a near tragedy spoiled
all the fun.

Marvin Fredericksen, who is unable
to swim, was paddling about on a log
when some other boy pulled it from
under him. He called for help and
went under the water which is about
five feet deep at this point. Marvin
Jacobsen went to his rescue and grab-
bing him by the hair tried to pull him
out but due to his size was pulled
under along with Fredericks who then
caught hold of his shoulder. Earl
Willis, who was not swimming, was
on the bank and without waiting to
remove his clothes, jumped into the
water and pulled Fredericks safely
to shore, Marvin Jacobsen being able
to swim out. Marvin Fredericksen
had gone down the second time before
pulled out by Willis and his prompt
action probably saved the lads life.

Other boys in the crowd heard the
cry for help but thought it was only
to fool them and did not pay attention
to it. It cannot be impressed upon
boys strong enough to refrain from
calling for help while in the water in
a joking way. This has caused many
boys and grown persons to lose their
lives when it would have been possible
for others to save them. The fact that
a place where one is swimming or
wading is not very deep doesn't mean
that a person cannot drown in it. A
person who is unable to swim and is
not used to being in the water will
get panic stricken when they go under
through some accident and may not
even get out of water only four feet
deep. Too much caution cannot be
practiced when a bunch are in the
water any where.