Furman A. Billingsley, 29, farmer, saved Major Stewart, 42, farmer, from suffocation, Liberty, South Carolina, September 23, 1938. Stewart was overcome by gas in a well 55 feet deep. Ten minutes later Billingsley arrived, having run 375 feet. At least five other men at the well would not enter to save Stewart. Billingsley placed his foot in a loop in a windlass-rope, held to the rope, and was lowered to Stewart. Forming a larger loop in the rope, Billingsley placed it around Stewart’s chest; and Stewart was drawn toward the top. When he was almost at the top and was slipping through the rope, men quickly reached down and held him while he was hoisted to the top. The rope then was lowered to Billingsley, who wrapped it around himself once and placed his foot in the loop. He was drawn from the well. Stewart was revived.
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