Henry J. Sparks saved Ellis E. Gipe from suffocation, Owensboro, Kentucky, April 2, 1914. Ellis, 14, schoolboy, slid down a rod to the bottom of a tank car. The car contained several inches of gasoline, and gasoline fumes in it were strong. Ellis became dizzy in about a minute and was soon overcome by the fumes. Sparks, 24, miller, and other men were attracted to the scene, and an employe of an oil company twice refused to go to the rescue because of the dangerous fumes. Two other men refused to go, and then Sparks said he would go. He was lowered into the tank through a small opening at the top by means of a rope around his body. He groped around in the dark until he touched Ellis, and then dragged the boy to a point under the opening. Sparks removed the rope from around his body and tied it around Ellis, and Ellis was drawn from the tank. The rope was lowered to Sparks, and he was drawn up. Ellis was revived in about an hour. 13023-1042
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