Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1919-09-20
SEYMOUR SEARS ALMOST DROWNED
IN GREAT SOUTH BAY BY WAVE WASH
PUSHING HIM OVERHEARD BOAT
Quick Thinking When in Exhausted State Caused Him to
Show Son How to Turn Engine Which Gave Him
Mile Tow to Land-Hung by Small Rope in
Semi Conscious State.
DRAMATIC TALE OF NEAR TRAGEDY

Cliff Council 533, United Com
mercial Travellers of America, held
their monthly meeting on Saturday
evening, September ID, in their coun-
ell chamber in Masonic Temple,
Grantwood. AS this organization sus-
Ponds activities during the summer
months, this meeting was magnet to
draw the commercial ambassadors
into get-together reunion. The
splendid attendance was proof enough
of the desire on the part of the coun-
try wide boosters after enjoying the
summer vacation period to produce
the hand of good fellowship, and the
hearty welcome extended to each
councillor as he entered was a marked
tribute of the splendid brotherhood
which prevails in the order.
Senior Councillor Charles J, Leeger
called the meeting to order at s 80
p. m, and after short address of
welcome, proceeded with the business
of the meeting. The closing gavel
was sounded at 10 p. m. The Refresh
ment Committee then led the gather
ing to the dining lodge in another part
of the building where choice tidbits
were spread. Then proceeded a con-
certed attack on the victualS and when
the cupboard was bare and the larders
exhausted and all palates appeased,
the council knocker sounded Then.
an exchange of experiences siaring
the summer vacation period was in
dulged in. Many of the narratives
We're interesting and much enjoyed;
the exception, however, was the thrill
ing escape from drowning of Grand
Conductor S. n. Sears while in his
motor boat with his son Junior, fish
ing in the outlet in Great South Bay.
The swells from a passing yacht
threw him off his balance and he fell
backward into the water where
treacherouS current made his prog
reSS to the boat difficult. Although a
strong swimmer, his fight against the
strong current found his strength
slowly ebbing He managed to reach
the boat, but exhaustion made it i'm
possible for him to Climb in. With no
aid in sight and his son Junior not
realizing his fathers dangerous plight,
the situation was tense; it meant
quick thinking and immediate action,
for the senior Sears was losing
strength rapidly. A short rope in the
stern of the boat pointed a way to
possible succor. Mr.. Sears with the
little strength he had left, slowly
worked his way to the rope. Having
reached it safely, he instructed Junior
to turn over the engine. The engine
was heavy and hard to turn. However,
Junior proceeded to carry out his
fathers instructions. He never be-
fore had accomplished the task and he
stuck to his work like a trained en-
gineer and finally succeeded. 1t meant
ii three-quarter mile tow to shore and
Mr. Sears by this time fully realized
his hazardous plight. The trip to
shore was started during which Mr..
Sears was in a Semi-conSciOus CON
dition. The spray from the propeller,
although hardship, nevertheless
helped to keep him partially revived
and this coupled with his formidable
will power and the cool headedness of
his son Junior, landed him on shore
safely, but in a critical condition, saw
ing him from Davey Jones locker
Councillor c. b. Hearn was so affect
ed by the narrow escape of his esteem
ed friend, Grand Conductor Sears,
that he insisted on lifting the bars of
tradition in the council and stand
personal sponsor for the financial out
hay of the evenings collation. This
act of benevolence was Immediately
opposed by unanimous vote of dis
approval. The festivities ceased at
IL p. m, Mr.. Hearn leaving immedi-
ately for his home To guard against
any possible chance of the hidden
cloven hoof, the remaining councillors
before returning to their respective
homes, assembled in front of Conduc-
tor Hearn's home and serenaded him
in return for his voluntary generosity.