William J. Gasper saved Blanchard S. Leacy from drowning, Kingsport, Nova Scotia, August 2, 1933. While swimming in water four feet deep near the bank of the Canning River, Blanchard, 17, was submerged in an eddy and then drifted farther from the bank in a tidal current of 6 to 7 m.p.h. A companion, who was a poor swimmer, in his excitement about Blanchard accidentally got into deep water. Gasper, 43, express agent, who observed Blanchard was drifting rapidly, removed his clothing and without difficulty swam to Blanchard’s companion and towed him to wadable water. Gasper then swam to Blanchard, who was swimming feebly. At Gasper’s suggestion, Blanchard placed one hand on Gasper’s shoulder. Towing him, Gasper swam and drifted 200 feet to waist-deep water 15 feet from the bank. A man then waded to them and aided Blanchard to the bank. Gasper was weak and winded so much that he could not speak, but he waded to the bank. Later it was discovered Blanchard’s companion had drowned, his movements not having been seen.
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