Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1919-09-03
ROSSIER SAVES FRIEND
BUT LOSES OWN LIFE.
Willoughby Lake CLAIMS Victim Sun
day in Peculiar Accident.

The quiet waters of Willoughby
lake witnessed Sunday afternoon a
scene that rivalled the thrilling acts
of heroism and self-sacrifice that
have forevere glorified the blood
, stained fields of France. About four
o'clock Arthur Rossier with several
of his farmer friends living on the
west side of the lake, went for
swim to Crescent beach. While
bathing, Napoleon Maillot, the IT.
year-old son of Elzear Maillot, one of
Mr. Rossier's neighbors, waded out
until the water was up to his shoul-
ders, and as he was able to swim a
few strokes, set out to swim parallel
to thes hore. After going a short
distance he stopped and was fright
| ened cbeause he could not touch the
bottom. Later it was found that he
was over a hole dug out by the brook
that comes down at that point from
the hills. After ging odown twict
and coming up a second time he call
ed to Mr.. Rossier, who was near. Mr..
Rossier, who could only swim d lit
tie, rushed to the hely of young
Maillot, just as he was going down
for the third time, caught him around
the waist and began swimming un-
der water with him toward the
shore. In the excitement Maillot put
his right hand on Rossier's shoulder,
keeping him down, but Rossier, with
the one thought of saving the boy,
swan on under water, without once
coming to the surface to take breath
until he had pushed him toward the
shore where he was able to touch the
bottom and so escape with his life.
The effort, however, cost Rossier' S
own life He slipped back into the
deeper hole, still swimming under
water, but without strength to rise
to the surface. 1t is probable thai
his heart was unable to bear tbs
!. strain.
The boys who were bathing neal
the scene were unfortunately unable
J. to swim and so called for help. Theil
: cries were heard by Lieut.. Emerson
Swift, the son of DIR. Swift of New
4 York, whose cottage is at the end Of
t the beach, and he and his sister came
I at once with a boat. With the aid OF
the boys Lieutenant Swift immedi
ately carried the body of Mr.. Rossiel
d to the shore and with the help of DR.
f Swift and others, worked for ovel
It three hours, using all possible meth
: DDS for restoring the drowned, bu
the overstrained heart would not re
II spond.
Mr.. Rossier's heroic act was i
: perfect keeping with his record as
husband and citizen. Two year
ago he was married to Miss Webste
e of Coventry and their life togethe
a has been unique because of its hap
f piness and devotion. They have re
sided in Westmore for only year
but already he had become one of it
|. most enterprising and loyal citizens
II Il During the past spring they joine'
II the WeStmore church and have bee
actively identified with its communi
ty work He was one of the mem
bers of the committee of thirty fo
- community organization and also
member of the entertainment com
" mittee 1t is the testimony of a.
who knew him that he found his chic
pleasure, not as the successful farm
Il er that he was, but in enthusiastical
ly serving the church and communit
n to which he gave himself most gene1
If ously.
With deepest emotion expressed
'1 voice and face, Elzear Maillot dc
II clared: "Mr. Rossier gave his life t
save my son, yes-and he was goo
IN neighbor, absolutely square in every
n way"
Again these thrilling days offer
signal illustration of the words of tn
d great teacher: Greater love hath n
ne man than this, that man lay dow
his life for his friend" S. K.
to Mr.. Rossier leaves to mourn h
I'M untimely death, his wife besides h
parents, living in Coventry, and se'
eral brothers and sisters.
OF Funeral services will be held in tt
II wvstnore church at IL o'clock {
Friday Services will also be held
IN the Baptist church, Third stree
&c Newport at 8 o'clock and the buri
will be in the East Main ST., Gem
ter, Newport. Rev. Wn. w. Roc
k well, professor of the Union The
ne logical Seminary, New York Cit
will have charge of the services.
en- -