Charles Thomas died attempting to save Joseph E. Murphy from suffocation, Circleville, Ohio, September 16, 1912. Murphy, 49, descended into a sewer manhole and was immediately overcome by gas. Thomas, 34, laborer, was working on the sewer seven blocks from the scene when he learned of the accident, and he immediately rode to the manhole on a bicycle. He descended a ladder into the manhole before any person could stop him or explain what had happened to Murphy, and he refused to wait until a rope was tied around him. Thomas was overcome before he reached the bottom of the manhole. Murphy and Thomas were taken out later, but neither could be revived. 9167-759
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