Dorothy L. Larson saved Louis Thordson and Harold O. Hanson, and attempted to save Orville T. Marstone from drowning, Hanska, Minnesota, July 5, 1936. When a rowboat in which they were riding in Lake Hanska overturned in water eight feet deep, Thordson, 14, school-boy, threshed at a point 115 feet from the bank, with Hanson, 17, farm-hand, and Marstone, 15, school-boy, near him. Miss Larson, 19, student, swam fifty feet, a third of the distance in wadable water, to Thordson, who threw both arms around her neck. She pulled one arm away and took hold of Thordson under his armpit. Thordson’s other arm was withdrawn from Miss Larson’s neck, and she placed her right arm across his back; and holding him face down, she swam five feet toward the bank. A youth who was a good swimmer then met them, and he and Miss Larson towed Thordson 20 feet to wadable water. Miss Larson’s father then aided Thordson, who was dazed, to the bank. Although Miss Larson was winded and was told by her father to attempt no further aid, she swam 30 feet to Hanson, towed him eight feet to the boat, and placed his hands on it. Hanson slipped from it; and Miss Larson and the youth, who then was near by, again placed his hands on the boat. Hanson again slipped under the surface, and Miss Larson submerged and took him to the surface. The youth meanwhile righted the boat, and he and Miss Larson pushed Hanson into it. Miss Larson then swam 15 feet to Marstone, who threw both arms around her neck; and they were submerged. They rose, again going under the surface in a wild struggle; and finally Miss Larson with her knee pushed against Marstone, broke his hold on her, and rose. Marstone was drowned. Miss Larson swam 35 feet to her father in wadable water and with his aid waded to the bank. Meanwhile the youth towed the boat to wadable water, and Hanson with aid waded to the bank.
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