Ash Blanden, 34, laborer, attempted to save Daniel, 17, and Richard Pickett, 39, laborers, from suffocation, Georgetown, South Carolina, July 21, 1911. Daniel and his father were overcome by carbon dioxide in a vat 14.5 feet deep. Blanden at first refused to go into the vat when a request was made in the presence of about 12 men for someone to go down and carry the men up a ladder. It was then suggested that if the men were turned on their backs water could be poured into the vat to displace the gas. Blanden volunteered to do this and descended a ladder but was affected by the gas as soon as he reached the bottom. He grasped the ladder but was dazed or semiconscious and did not ascend when a man shouted to him to come up. The man shouted again, and Blanden slowly ascended until he was within reach of men at the top. He then tottered just as the men grasped him. He was pulled from the vat and was revived. Daniel and his father were taken out later by means of a rope and hook and were revived. 13595-1172
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