Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-30
WERE BOYS FORTY YEARS ACC
William Husennetter and Senator
Cummins Talk of Old Times.
REMEMBER DEEP HOLE IN RIVER
story OF the Nebraska Man Pulling
the IOwan Out of the Water
and Thus Saving HIS
Life.
CFrom a staff Correspondents


LINCOLN, Neb., Oct. 90 Special Two
boys, day laborers forty years ago in Iowa
working side by side. met this week in
Lincoln, the one the leader Of his party in
Nebraska and the chairman OF his state
committee; the other a United States SEN
ator and the leader Of his party in Iowa
The one was William Husenetter, success
full farmer, stock raiser and politician; the
other, Albert B. Cummins, successful law
yer and United States senator
It was just forty years ago next spring,
over in Iowa, that William Husenetter
pulled Albert Cummins out OF the Turkey
river and saved him from drowning. The
two men parted shortly after that and met
for the first time last Thursday, and only
upon discussing Iowa Of the early days
did each recall the other and that each
was reminded OF that act of herolsm on
the part Of the republican state chairman.
working I'm the woods.
Husenetter lived with his parents near
Mllville. He was at the top OF a hill
showing timber down a wooden chute to
the river and his younger brother, John
Husenetter, now OF Ainsworth, was at the
bottom Of the chute 10 see that the chute
did not get choked up. Across the river
was rope by which the ferry was run
Owing to the extremely high water this
rope was only a few inches above the
water.
Up the stream were two boys in a boat.
Albert Cummlns and Richard Flanagan.
They struck the rope broadside and the
boat at once capsized. Both yelled for help.
John Husenetter jumped IN his boat and
rushed to the rescue OF Flanagan, while
young Cummins struck out for himself
being good swimmer William Husenet-
ter, hearing the cries, rushed down the hill
to lend what assistance he could. The ice
was breaking up in the river and the
water was extremely cold.
John Husenetter managed TO get his boat
10 Flanagan who held on and was lowed
| TO shore. In the meantime Albert Cummins
/ drifted and swan down stream until, al
most exhausted, he struck onto some willows
! and there he hung in the ice cold water.
/ At this time he was about two rods from
the bank OF the river. William Husenetter
jumped into the water and reached long
pole to Cummins. who caught hold OF II
and was towed 20 shore. Both boys were
about exhausted and thoroughly chilled
They were thawed out and sent on their
way 10 the mill, which they were rebuild
ing, only slightly the worse for their ex-
peTicnce.
Talk of BOyhOOd Days,
IL was after the meeting here when Chair
man Husenetter was thanking Senator
Cummlns for his speech that he remarked
that he wac glad to have q man from Iowa
speak for the republican ticket in Ne
braska
Are you from IowaT' asked Senator
/ Cummlns.
Il was born twenty miles from Dubuque. "
replied MT. Husenetter.
Are you related TO John HussnettsrY
inquired the senator
II II had not been for him / would not
be here" replied the Chairman
Then, do you recall the time that rope
was stretched across Turkey river?" asked
Cummins and the boat upset2'
II certainly 10, said the chairman 81
am the man that pulled you out"
Cummins Gairly Rugged his boyhood say.