Cecil A. Sharpe, 26, superintendent of schools, saved James F. Decker, 14 months, from burning, Bureau, Illinois, January 19, 1927. James and his 3-year-old brother were alone in their home, and the house took fire. The brother ran outside, and dense smoke poured out of the door. Two men and a youth tried to enter the house but were driven back by the smoke and flames. Sharpe was told that it was impossible to enter the house, but he crawled from a porch through the door into the house and disappeared from sight. The ceiling was burning, and burning material was falling. About eight feet from the door that he entered, Sharpe began to be affected by the smoke. Then as the smoke lifted a little, he saw James’s legs close by him. He grasped James and crawled backward to the door. James was dazed and sustained serious burns. He recovered. Sharpe was not burned but was sick from the smoke and nervous. 26952-2342
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