Charles W. Tidball, 24, student, saved Grace E. Goen, 14, and attempted to save Mae Maurer, 28, from drowning, Independence, Iowa, June 10, 1911. Grace, a poor swimmer, and Miss Maurer, who could not swim, got into deep water in the Wapsipinicon River 65 feet from the bank and went beneath the surface. Tidball, who was the only man on the bank, waded 55 feet and swam 10 feet to the young women, who were at the surface, Miss Maurer holding to Grace. Tidball got behind Grace and pushed her toward the bank, breaking Miss Maurer’s hold, and then pushed her a second and a third time. Grace then swam about six feet and grasped a coat which had been thrown to her. Tidball swam to Miss Maurer, and she grabbed him around the neck with both arms, and they went beneath the surface. He forced Miss Maurer away and came to the surface in a weakened condition. He swam 10 feet to water in which he could stand, and rested a moment, then, although weak and very tired, he swam 15 feet to Miss Maurer, who was threshing the water with her arms. They drifted side by side for about 40 feet, and then Miss Maurer’s foot touched bottom. She grasped Tidball, who was drifting helplessly, and waded to shallow water, where other women helped both to the bank. Miss Maurer fainted before she left the water and Tidball collapsed when he reached the bank. Both recovered. 6977-886
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