James Edward Gaffney saved Zerene S. Tinnell, 12, and Viola Skutnick, 15, and attempted to save J. Walter Birdwell, 38, from drowning, Taylor Springs, Illinois, June 17, 1918. (See case of J. Walter Birdwell.) James, 14, schoolboy, swam to Zerene and Viola after Birdwell sank. Both girls grasped him, but he struck them, dazing them and breaking their holds. He then grasped them by their hair and swam eight feet with them to wadable water. James then swam to Birdwell, who was unconscious, and he grasped him at the neck and swam with him to wadable water. James was very tired. 19263-1450
19263 – 1450
19263-1450