William F. Combs died saving Fred Marshmon from drowning, La Grange, Georgia, June 29, 1945. When a boat in which Fred, 16, sawmill hand, and another youth were riding on the Chattahoochee River filled with water, both jumped into water 15 feet deep and were submerged. Fred rose 50 feet from the bank within three feet of the boat, which had overturned. The other youth swam to the bank. Combs, 36, lawyer, and other men were swimming within 10 feet of Fred, who could not swim. Combs swam six feet to Fred, who was the larger, and a struggle ensued in which both were briefly submerged. Three of the other swimmers pulled Fred from Combs, who got hold of the boat. Fred also took hold of it, and the others swam to the bank. Combs extended a hand to Fred, who was slipping downward, and Fred grabbed him, pulling him from the boat. Both were submerged. Fred rose and got hold of the boat. Several seconds later Combs rose, got hold of the boat but lost it and sank. A boat was rowed to Fred, and he was taken to the bank. Combs was drowned. 40484-3422
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40484-3422