Eugene J. Beaudry saved Mary E. Wilcox from drowning, Hudson, Wisconsin, December 2, 1932. At night while skating on the Willow River, Miss Wilcox, 17, broke through thin ice 40 feet from the bank and was twice momentarily submerged in water 15 feet deep and then got hold of the edge of the ice. A young man, who had broken through with her, tried to climb upon the ice but could not and soon sank. Beaudry, 20, schoolboy, and two youths skated toward the hole, which was 15 feet long. While his companions, who were fair swimmers, remained 15 feet from the hole, Beaudry, who could not swim, crawled on his hands and knees to within three feet of Miss Wilcox, doubled one foot under him, and extended his other foot to her. Miss Wilcox took hold of his skate as his foot extended over the edge of the ice, and Beaudry slid 12 inches toward the hole. Miss Wilcox then released her hold and again grasped the ice. Beaudry crawled back, dug the toe of one skate into the ice, and extended his other foot toward her. Miss Wilcox took hold of the skate, and Beaudry drew her upon the ice. Both crawled farther from the edge, got to their feet, and skated to the bank, where Miss Wilcox collapsed; but she recovered. 33065-2807
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