Ralph H. Cole, 27, teacher, saved G. Ellis Glass, 15, schoolboy, and assisted in an attempt to save John W. Martin, 9, from drowning, Marshalltown, Iowa, January 16, 1926. John broke through thin ice into water eight feet deep in the Iowa River 18 feet from the bank. Fully clothed, Ellis walked cautiously out on the ice and grasped John’s hand. The ice broke under him, and he and John were momentarily submerged. Ellis supported John by keeping an arm on the ice. Five to 10 minutes later, Cole, who was fully clothed and wearing heavy overshoes, reached the bank and walked cautiously on the ice toward the two boys. When the ice broke under him, Cole lunged toward Ellis and caught hold of him with one hand. By resting one arm on the ice as well, he supported Ellis, who held to John for 15 minutes until men arrived and rescued them by means of a ladder and a rope. Ellis was numb and hysterical but recovered. John died without regaining consciousness. 26155-2259
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