South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-04-23
BERT OLMSTEAD IS
DOOMED FOR HONOR
Local Police Officer Credited
With Saving Life of Man
at Indian Lake.

Information which has Just come
to light points to the fact that South
Bend has a hero whose praises are
vet unsung and who has received
recognition in no form. This mans
is Bert Olmstead, a member of the
local police force.
His valiant work was done at the
same time that George A. Cooper.
the Y. NJ. G. A. physical director,
covered himself with glory by res
cuing Daniel Donovan, the Chicago
diver.
According to eye-witnesses TO the
happening. Olmstead deserves the
credit for the rescue of Serg't Carries
Kemmerly Of the local police force
from drowning and for being the
indirect saver Of the man from Do
wagiac. for whom Cooper had dived
and recovered but was unable. ac-
cording TO witnesses, to raise 70 the
surface of the water The man was
said to be Mack Smith.
Kemmerly. according TO police
officials. gives Olmstead the credit
for saving his life, while Cooper, it
was said, admitted to Olmstead that
without his aid the rescue Of the
Dowagiac man could not have been
effected.
No intention Of discounting the
heroic work Of Cooper is meant, but
recognition Of Olmstead's work In
the affair. is sought for Olmstead by
his friends
Witnesses of the affair stated that
when DOnavan, the diver, declared
that because Of the mire in the bot
tom Of the lake that Il would be
futile TO dive anymore in the hope
Of recovering the body. that a motor
boat 100 feet away was signalled 10
tow the raft to the shore. Olmstead
was operating the motor boat and
reaching the raft, he began to follow
directions. After some slight pro-
gress had been made Olmstead be-
came aware that the raft. made up
OF three boats, was beginning 20
sink. On the raft were a number
OF men. among them Serg't KEN
merly. They leaped 10 the motor
boat and the weight of them had
the effect OF sinking il also. KEN
merly, weighted down with heavy
hip boots was in water up TO his
neck, while Olmstead in a like pre-
dicament. clutched hold Of another
row boat which had arrived at that
time.
Olmstead. it was said grabbed a
line from the bow of the boat which
ne threw TO the sinking Kemmeriy.
Peering into the water. he saw The
form of the DOwagiac man. cling
ing to the legs OF his brother Of
flee. Kemmerly obviously excited
was kicking wildly and freed him.
self Of his death-burden. while he
was towed 10 the row boat after
I Olmstead had thrown the other end
OF the line 20 them. At the soroe
time Olmstead threw his life belt
10 another man, who had been on
the motor-boat when it Went down.
Olmstead then saw Cooper and
the man from Dowagiac under three
feet OF water with the physical di-
rector laboring under tremendous
difficulties trying 10 save him, and
again lent his aid. Grabbing ar
oar with his right hand ne held
/ onto the rOwbO2t with his left and
prodded Cooper with IL several
I times. The latter at last clutch -
I Il and Olmstead pulled them both
/ toward the boat in which tho men
were brought 10 shore.
Police officers and witnesses 70
+ the affair are unanimous in theii
praise OF the work OF Olmstead
ted him on his work and admitted
that his cooperation in the happen
ing was essential 70 its success.