Andrew J. Atkinson died attempting to save Willard S. Johnson from drowning, Gilmerton, Virginia, August 4, 1915. Willard, 12, schoolboy, who could not swim, became distressed in water eight feet deep 80 feet from the bank of Deep Creek. Screams of a woman and a young man attracted the attention of Atkinson, 45, farmer, and he ran 700 feet to the creek. He entered the water without removing his clothes, waded about 70 feet, and swam to Willard. Atkinson told Willard to get on Atkinson’s back. Willard attempted to do so, but Atkinson sank and was drowned without being able to aid Willard. Willard drifted with the current for a few minutes and was then aided by a boy with a log. 15241-1140
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