C. Tyler Wood rescued Emery L. Bryan from a homicidal attack, New York, New York, November 10, 1939. While Bryan, 48, sales manager, was standing in a car of a moving subway train, a man, who was under the influence of narcotics and who had a criminal record for attempted murder, walked to within four feet of Bryan, pulled a small ax from under his overcoat, and struck a violent blow with the ax against Bryan’s head. Bryan staggered a step or two farther from the assailant and fell on the floor on his back. A panic ensued among the other passengers; and all left the car except the assailant and Wood, 40, stock broker, who had been talking to Bryan. Wood thought the assailant was insane and had in mind to attack Bryan further; and he stepped astride Bryan’s legs and faced the assailant, who was eight feet from him. The door at the end of the vestibule then was closed. Wood noted the assailant staring at Bryan and heard him threaten to kill Bryan. The assailant then slowly walked toward Wood and Bryan, holding the ax at waist level, his arm partly flexed. Rapidly and in a kindly manner Wood talked to the assailant, who stopped at a point five feet from Wood and lowered the ax, and at Wood’s suggestion he slowly walked away and sat down. At Wood’s signal men opened the door; and he dragged Bryan into the adjoining car, the door immediately being closed. The train stopped, and Wood and another man took Bryan from the train. The assailant was arrested and later was sentenced to a penitentiary. Bryan had sustained a fractured skull, but he recovered. 39171-3250
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