George B. Chittim, 29, brakeman, saved Augustus W. Caldwell, 42, foreman, from drowning, South Aberdeen, Washington, November 30, 1918. Caldwell, while unloading logs on a trestle in the Chehalis River, was struck by a log and knocked into the river, where the water was 7.5 feet deep. Chittim, who was heavily dressed, jumped about 10 feet from the trestle to the water and swam eight feet to Caldwell, who was floundering and was unconscious. Chittim grasped Caldwell and swam eight feet toward the bank, but fearing he could not swim against the current, he turned and swam toward the trestle. Caldwell grasped him, but Chittim broke his hold. Caldwell struggled, and Chittim was submerged momentarily two or three times while he swam 25 feet to the piles which supported the trestle. Chittim pushed Caldwell up into an angle between a pile and a brace, but Chittim in his weakened condition was carried a few feet before he could grasp a pile. His legs were cramped, and he went under the surface twice before he got back along the brace to Caldwell. A ladder was lowered, and both were taken to the bank. Caldwell revived. 19416-1611
19416 – 1611
19416-1611