Eben B. Hawthorne, 48, trucking company owner, died assisting in an attempt to save Mabel G. Sanders, 82, from drowning, Strong City, Kansas, July 11, 1951. Mrs. Sanders was alone in her home, which was surrounded by the flood waters of the Cottonwood River. The water had attained a depth of about 12 feet and extended over an area a mile and a half wide. In response to a general call for volunteers, Hawthorne and A. L. Smith drove to the flood area and launched a steel motorboat 18 feet long. From homes in the flooded farm land they aided approximately 20 persons to safety. Later they were joined by Augustine S. Howard and learned of the plight of Mrs. Sanders. Directed by Howard, Hawthorne piloted the boat a mile and a half in the flood waters and approached a partly submerged earthen dike 3,000 feet long, which was 1,800 feet from the Sanders residence. Hawthorne maneuvered the boat to a breach in the dike, where the current was swift and treacherous, and attempted to pass through it. Despite careful handling by Hawthorne, the boat struck the trunk of a tree and capsized. All were thrown into the water. Hawthorne and Howard, who were impeded by heavy boots, quickly sank and were drowned. Smith remained afloat with the aid of a buoyant cushion and drifted a mile and a quarter beyond the dike. He climbed into a tree and within three hours was removed to safety. Mrs. Sanders was aided from her home by others later that day after the flood waters had receded partly. The bodies of Hawthorne and Howard were recovered a mile from the dike three days later. 42334-3743
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