Nicholas F. Owen, Sr., 59, building contractor, died attempting to save Georgia R. Shufflebarger, 19, from drowning, Mendota, Virginia, June 11, 1944. While wading near a projecting ridge of rock in North Fork of Holston River, Miss Shuffllebarger lost her footing, slipped into water beyond her depth, and drifted farther from the ridge. Owen swam 50 feet and took hold of her. She grasped him, and he released her and purposely submerged. She also was submerged. Owen swam beneath her, pushed her to the surface, and rose for breath. After repeating this several times, alternately submerging, Owen became distressed. Mrs. Ruth Phillips Gregg then swam 30 feet from the ridge to Miss Shufflebarger; and after a brief struggle, she swam and towed Miss Shufflebarger 70 feet to the bank. She swam back to Owen, who was dazed, and towed him 20 feet toward the bank. She then lost her hold on him, and he sank. Mrs. Gregg, who was winded and tired, swam to the bank and was restrained from returning to Owen, who was drowned. 40234-3382
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