Fred Lattin, 49, feed-mill hand, saved Willis J. Shappe, 31, feed-mill hand, Ray N. Margeson, 48, miller, and Arthur O. George, Jr., 47, feed-mill hand, from suffocation, Horseheads, New York, May 14, 1945. While removing from the basement of a feed-mill open containers of sludge that had produced hydrocyanic-acid gas, Shappe, Margeson, and George were overcome and lay unconscious on the floor 65 feet from stairs to the ground floor. They were discovered by a man who called to Lattin and then left to summon aid. Lattin on the ground floor had smelled the gas and knew that Shappe and the others had been removing the containers. Descending the stairs, he walked rapidly to the men, being delayed slightly by stooping under a machine belt and stepping over another. The men breathed heavily. Lattin dragged Shappe to and under the belts and then carried him up the stairway and outside. In a similar manner he rescued Margeson and George in turn. After taking Margeson outside, Lattin breathed heavily and was dizzy. He rested briefly before returning for George, and as he carried George up the stairs, he again became dizzy. He was pale and rested for five minutes but was not otherwise affected. The three men regained consciousness later in the day and recovered. 40485-3428
40485 – 3428
40485-3428Obituary
Fred Lattin, of Horseheads, N.Y.., died on Aug 21, 1976, at the age of 80. He had been married to Pearl (Southard) Lattin.
Lattin was a retired employee of the Dean and Lee Feed Mill and a life member of the Beaver Brook Rod and Gun Club.
(Information collected from an obituary provided by the family.