South Park Swim Accident01

Waupaca Record Leader

July 13, 1916

SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS AT CITY PARK LAKES

Bathers Take Many Chances Which Endanger Their Lives

Ex-Chief of Police Rescued Boys

Last Sunday morning Mr. Freisleben accompanied his son to the bathing beach on Shadow Lake. He spent the time on the bank enjoying a smoke while the youngsters were having a good time. The only other bathers were Edison Demarest, Jr., of Kaukauna, and Roderick Demarest of this city, both grandsons of E.L. Demarest.

Just as Mr. Freisleben was about to go home, he heard a call for help and saw at a glance that the large boy could not swim and that he had gotten beyond his depth and that the smaller coy in trying to save his cousin, was being pulled down.

Mr. Freisleben has always been noted as a man of quick action and he lived up to his reputation on this occasion. With his cloths all on and his pipe in his mouth, he plunged into the water and rescued the boys. He towed them to shore and brought them around all right even though the older one had taken considerable water.

The boys had a close call and it was indeed fortunate that a man of action was prent who could lend assistance.

On Friday, the same day on which Charles Conrad met his fate, Pearl Wilson was seated on an upturned boat which had floated beyond bed depth. A frolicsome boy swam out and rocked the boat. As a result Miss Wilson was thrown into the lake and came near drowning. She had gone down twice before she was rescued. These near accidents should cause our bathers to be more careful. There is always danger around a “swimming hole” and too much care cannot be taken.