George B. Whitney, 75, retired produce dealer, saved T. Robert Leach, Jr., 8, from drowning, Saginaw, Michigan, March 6, 1937. Robert fell into the Saginaw River, rose eight feet from the bank, and slowly drifted farther from the bank. Whitney, who was heavily clothed and carried an ax, ran 160 feett to the water, waded eight feet from the bank, and then swam four feet to Robert, who then was under the surface. Reaching under the surface, he took hold of Robert’s arm and, stroking with his other arm, trod water. His overcoat spread in the water. He slowly drifted farther from the bank. Robert was unconscious. His arm slipped from Whitney, who then put his arm around Robert. Whitney, holding Robert under the surface, drifted to a point 16 feet from the bank. Several workmen, who were good swimmers, then arrived at the bank; and two, carrying a board 16 feet long, waded six feet from the bank, extended the board to Whitney, and pulled him to wadable water. Whitney then was holding Robert under his left arm and the ax in his left hand. The workmen took Robert to the bank. Whitney waded to the bank without aid. Robert was revived.
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