James L. McFarland

James L. McFarland saved Ruby Cantrell from being struck by a train, West Frankfort, Illinois, November 12, 1909. Miss Cantrell, 15, schoolgirl, saw a passenger train approaching at speeds of 15 to 20 miles per hour and thought she had time to cross the tracks safely. She began running across the tracks, but she lost her footing and slipped and fell face down on the tracks.  McFarland, 45, retired saloon-keeper, saw her fall and immediately ran toward her. Reaching her when the train was at a point 10 feet away, he stooped, grasped her clothing by the shoulders, and jerked her forward so that her feet cleared the track. As he released her to straighten up, the pilot beam of the engine struck his right arm. McFarland was disabled for 5 days, but recovered.