Elijah Runnels died attempting to save Onie L. Priddy from drowning, Ferris, Texas, August 5, 1921. While walking along the bank of a borrow pit at a levee of the Trinity River, Priddy, 22, farmer, slipped and fell into the water. His struggles carried him 50 feet from the bank, where the water was nine feet deep. Runnels, 21, farmhand, jumped into the water fully dressed and swam to Priddy. He took hold of Priddy’s hand and swam with him 25 feet toward the bank. Runnels then released his hold, and Priddy immediately seized Runnels. Both sank and were drowned. 22131-1752
22131 – 1752
22131-1752