Homer E. Patterson saved Garland H. Stahl from suffocation, Lanesville, Illinois, July 12, 1951. Wearing a gas-mask, Stahl, 46, grain company manager, entered a grain-storage building containing 11,000 bushels of shelled corn. While he was applying a liquid fumigant to the corn, which rose about six feet above the floor, the canister in the mask became ineffective; and he was partly overcome by carbon tetra-chloride fumes and fell prone on the corn three feet from the only doorway. Patterson, 30, grain elevator foreman, turned off the spray at a pump outside and ran 15 feet to the doorway. Although aware that the building contained a dense concentration of the fumes and that no other masks were available, Patterson drew himself through an opening 18 inches high atop the corn at the doorway. With difficulty, he made his way to Stahl, who had rolled onto his back and was flailing his arms. Although hindered by poor footing in the slippery corn, Patterson repeatedly attempted to take hold of Stahl, who struggled with him. Patterson was strongly affected by the fumes, and Stahl became unconscious. In a dazed condition Patterson dragged Stahl to the doorway. He lowered Stahl through the opening, aided him 30 feet from the building, and removed the mask from him. Stahl revived, and Patterson accompanied him to a hospital. Stahl was hospitalized six days and recuperated for four months. Patterson suffered a strained back and was extremely weak for three days but recovered. 42357-3753
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