Charles L. Covell, 56, superintendent of public works, saved Ruth King, 18; Sarah J. Williams, 36, and two unidentified women, and attempted to save Albert Hurst, 4, from drowning, Wellington, Kansas, June 29, 1908. A cloudburst at night caused the waters of Hargis Creek to rise suddenly and flood a portion of Wellington, a current of 7 m.p.h. sweeping houses from their foundations and carrying much debris downstream. Covell entered a boat that leaked badly and, with a man to bail out water, rowed across the current and took a woman off a roof. After landing her, he made three more trips to various points in the flooded district, rescuing the other women. On the last trip, while returning to land with Albert, the boat was carried downstream and upset. When the boat capsized, an oar struck Covell on the head, stunning him. Covell caught Albert. Albert grabbed Covell’s hair, and Covell went beneath the surface. He lost his hold on Albert, and the latter was drowned. Covell caught hold of a tree and clung to it until he was taken to land by means of a rope. 9270-712
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