Roy J. Jacques, 40, grocer, saved Robert Harris, 33, jewelry store proprietor, from drowning, Iron Mountain, Michigan, April 15, 1948. A motor-boat in which Harris, Jacques, and two other men were riding in Menominee River was swamped by waves and capsized in very cold water 25 feet deep 200 feet from the bank. Harris became entangled in a fishing-line, was submerged briefly twice, and could not free himself. Jacques and one of the men clung to the boat, which drifted down-stream with only its bow afloat, and the other man swam to the bank. Jacques, who was heavily clothed, swam 30 feet with difficulty against the current to Harris and got hold of him. Harris freed himself from the line, and Jacques swam towing him 20 feet toward the boat. Becoming fatigued, Jacques then released Harris, swam to the boat, and rested briefly. Again he swam to Harris and this time towed him within five feet of the boat. There Jacques released him and swam to the boat. Grasping it, he extended a foot toward Harris, who took hold of it, and was drawn to the boat. The other man swam to the bank. The boat drifted a half a mile, Jacques alternately treading water and trying to raise the bow higher. Harris lost his hold three times, and each time Jacques pulled him back to the boat. A rowboat operated by police reached them an hour after Jacques had first swum to Harris. As Harris was being assisted into the rowboat, he became unconscious. Jacques clung to the side of the rowboat, and they were taken to the bank. Harris was revived. Jacques suffered from shock and exposure but recovered.
41378 – 3627
41378-3627