Henry Eilers, 52, crossing watchman, saved an unidentified girl from being killed by a train, Ottumwa, Iowa, July 6, 1914. Although Eilers stood facing her, waving his flag, the girl walked onto a track on which a train was approaching at a speed of 15 m.p.h. She stopped, dazed, midway between the rails. The train was then only 65 feet from her, and Eilers was 16 feet away. Eilers ran onto the track, grasped her around the waist, and swept her off the track. The speed of the train had not been reduced, and they barely escaped being struck. 13405-1320
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