Ferdinand P. Clifford, 45, barber, died attempting to save John W. Coombs, 9, from drowning, Belfast, Maine, August 10, 1912. John fell into the Passagassawakeag River from a pier, and the tide carried him to water 15 feet deep. He could not swim. Clifford, who was not physically sound and was subject to spells of weakness, ran over 100 feet, waded about 15 feet, and swam about 50 feet to John. He grasped John when the latter was going down and pulled him to the surface. There was a struggle, and in a few seconds he released his hold. John sank and was drowned, Clifford going beneath the surface a few seconds later. He too was drowned. 12797-951
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