Charles S. Weller saved Jean A. Snyder and Larry C. Snyder from being shot, Millersport, Ohio, April 29, 1964. A man armed with a single-shot rifle and a hatchet forced his way into the Snyder dwelling, where he bound and gagged Snyder, 23, truck driver, and his wife, 21. Leaving Snyder in another room, the man took Mrs. Snyder into the living room and placed her on the sofa. He turned the radio to full volume and covered the windows. Mrs. Snyder, who had worked the gag loose, pleaded with the man, but he struck her on the head with the back of the hatchet. Mrs. Snyder screamed. The man picked up the rifle and said he would shoot her if she screamed again. Weller, 29, personnel manager, who had driven to the house after being unable to telephone Snyder as the line had been out, heard Mrs. Snyder scream and pounded on the door. The man called for Weller to enter, which he did. Placing the rifle barrel against Weller’s chest, the man closed the door. When the man stepped back and gestured with the gun, Weller grasped the butt of the rifle and pushed it downward. At the same time he threw all of his strength against the man, who out- weighed him. Mrs. Snyder crawled into a hall as Weller pushed the man into a corner. When Weller stumbled, the man twisted the gun from him and struck him in the head with the butt end. Bleeding profusely, Weller again grasped the rifle. In the struggle the gun was discharged, the bullet entering the floor. Obtaining possession of the rifle, Weller threw it aside and grappled with the man, who fell. As the man started to rise, Weller picked up a loose brick and hit him on the head. The man slumped to the floor unconscious. While Weller was out of the room untying Snyder and his wife, the man regained consciousness and fled. He -was captured, tried, and sent to prison. Mrs. Snyder and Weller recovered from their head injuries.
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