Ruth Lysle Justice saved Helen E. Mason and Edna M. Stevenson from drowning, Venango, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1924. Edna, 14, who could not swim, stepped into deep water while wading in French Creek. Miss Mason, 21, who was in wadable water 10 feet away, swam to her and extended her hand, but Edna put her arms around Miss Mason’s neck and got on her back. Miss Mason struggled to get free, becoming weakened by her efforts and Edna’s hold. They both sank and did not resurface. Miss Justice, 18, college student, arrived and dived toward them from a boat, which then drifted away. Edna was holding to Miss Mason, and one of them kicked Miss Justice at her stomach. Miss Justice groped and finally grasped Miss Mason by the shoulder and took both to the surface. She then swam with great effort 25 feet to wadable water, where she was relieved by others. She beganh to sink in shallow water from sheer weakness, but two woman took her to the bank. 24521-1961
24521 – 1961
24521-1961