Jesse M. Rossiter died attempting to save Milton R. Hagar from drowning, Marietta, Ohio, June 18, 1963. While wading on a submerged sand bar in the Muskingum River, Milton, 14, schollboy, lost his footing and was carried downstream in water 15 feet deep 30 feet from the bank. Another youth swam to Milton, who struggled with him. The youth then returned to the bank as Milton continued to sink and rise. Rossiter, 59, farm supervisor, climbed a steep bank 15 feet high, ran 60 feet along the top of it, and then descended steps to a pier which projected 20 feet into the river. By the time Rossiter had run to the end of the pier Milton was almost opposite him but 10 feet farther out. Fully clad, including heavy work shoes, Rossiter jumped into the water. He swam six feet toward Hagar and then sank. Rossiter surfaced four feet from Miltonr and called weakly to three youths on the pier to get help. As the youths left to do so, Rossiter and then Milton sank. Help arrived, but neither Rossiter nor Milton were in sight. Their bodies were later recovered.
46649 – 4677
46649-4677