David C. Liff, 57, stationary engineer, saved Charles G., 4, and Eugene R. Davis, 3, and attempted to save Orcelia M. Davis, 1, from burning, Era, Ohio, January 8, 1919. Charles, Eugene, and Orcelia were in a bedroom of their one-story home when the house took fire. Liff entered a hall at the rear of the house, although smoke rolled out through the doorway and flames licked the ceiling, and reached the bedroom door, which was just inside the hall door. The bedroom was almost filled with dense smoke, and the walls were burning. Stooping under the smoke, Liff ran four feet to Charles, took him to the rear door, and pushed him outside. He returned to the bedroom, stooped lower as he ran 16 feet to the opposite side of the room to Eugene, and took him to the rear door. Bits of burning paper and rags from the ceiling fell constantly. Liff re-entered the bedroom for Orcelia but inhaled some smoke and ran outside. He again entered and, not being able to see through the smoke, crawled about seven feet to the bed containing Orcelia. As he reached the bed, part of the ceiling, which consisted of burlap and several layers of paper, fell on him, confusing him, and he quickly left the house. Orcelia was burned to death. Eugene and Charles were slightly burned. Liff was slightly burned on his head and hands. 19349-1684
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19349-1684