Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-16
FISHERMAN HAS NARROW
ESCAPE FROM DROWNING
Thousands From James River
Bridges View Rescue of
John Ford.
BOAT CAPsIZEs IN SWIFT EDDY
Firemen and Policemen Aid in Ell
fort to Get Rope to Man Clinging
Desperately TO Slippery Rockies
capcs Without Injury.

While hundreds OF people looked on
with bated breath, fearing no would
be swept away at any moment. John
Ford. twenty-five years old. n South
side fisherman. was rescued from
drowning yesterday afternoon about
o'clock In the James River. at the foot
OF Ninth Street, after ne had battIed
for moro than an hour with the strong
and treacherous current. With the
combined aid OF several policemen, tho
Fro Department and q number OF e1-
cited spectators. Ford was finally pulled
TO place OF safety on the South Rich
mond bank by means OF n rome h!tchcd
to his armpits Hc was benumbed and
chilled from his long exposure. hut
IN short while had fully recovered
Great excitement was created by the
accident In the vicinity of the river
Traffic on the Free Bridge was blocked
FOR some time. every one stopping to
watch the struggling man, who could
be plainly seen. He was gesticulatlrig
wildly. and yelling loudly for help. Hiy
every minute. and soon both banks o.
the river, the Atlantic Coast line via
duct and tho Free Bridge were lined
with II dense throng.
RoAT CAPSIZES IN
SWIFT-RUNNING WATER
Ford had been fishing up tho river
and was crossing the falls, when his
boat, caught In rapid eddy. was cap-
sized. This was Mt a point between
the railway viaduct and the dam
whore the current Is very swift and
there are numerous whirlpools and
rapids. lilo landed on his feet on
slippery rock While tho water wa.
only tribe above his waist all around
him the depth was over his head TIE
young man could not swim. and had ~
not chung TO his footing with all his
strength. he would have persisted in
the muddy waters OF tho James
AS soon az their craft turned turtle.
Ford's two companions. who had been
fishing with him. by desperate efforts
managed To reach the shore. They
were exhausted. but called for help
! for their comradc. The alarm was soon
taken UP, and all South Richmond was
aroused. Both the patrol and Engine
company NO. Is were summoned.
ROPE IL FLoATED ON FLANK
FROM ROCKS ABOVE
Two men, atanding near -by-C. NJ
Dickinson. OF 1907 Semmes Avenue
Woodland Heights. and Eddie Bowman
OF the Southsidc. secured n rope, which
after many trials. was noated out 10
Ford on plank. Instructions were
shouted to him to tic this around his
waist. SO weak was he from cxhaus.
ton. however. that no was able TO
make but little effort 10 reach the
Shore' his rescucrs were compelled
I" drag him through the water by maia
force. his body being like log. They
had great difficulty In Keeping his head
above water. Are ladder was lowered
from the bank. and several policemen
carried him to safety.
The officers who assisted in the
rescu" were G. ]. Williams and w. H.
Mctcalf of the First Precinct. and NJ
j. Moore. II. IT. Witzgall and C. r. Tins
ley. OF the Third station
After taking stimulants. Ford de-
clared he felt fne. but, as a precau
ton. no was taken to the Virginia
lioSpitai ne was later removed 10
his home. 1922 Decatur Street