Alfred A. Jackson saved Ada B. Fordyce from drowning, Davenport, Iowa, August 22, 1934. At night, Miss Fordyce, 24, jumped from a bridge into water 25 feet deep in the Mississippi River 225 feet from the bank and drifted in a current of 1 m.p.h. Jackson, 19, filling station attendant, removed his outer clothing and, fearing to dive lest he strike debris, dropped feet first 13 feet from the bridge to the water. He then swam 95 feet to Miss Fordyce and pulled her close to him. She struggled until Jackson threatened to strike her. Supporting her, Jackson swam to a retaining wall at the bank that rose six feet above the water. When Jackson got within 75 feet of the wall, another man, who had entered the water from the bridge, reached them and swam within three feet of them to the wall. With the help of the other man, Jackson placed Miss Fordyce on a cable that extended along the wall just above the water. Five minutes later, an automobile tire chain was lowered to Jackson by a man on the wall, and Jackson placed Miss Fordyce’s arm through the chain. She then was pulled to the top of the wall, Jackson aiding by pushing her. Jackson and the other man were pulled up by means of the chain. Miss Fordyce was unconscious but was revived.
34182 – 2888
34182-2888