Irene H. Reed saved Henrietta A. Hamilton from drowning, Sulphur, Louisana, April 6, 1912. A canoe in which the women and a young man were crossing a lake struck an obstacle and upset, and the occupants were thrown into water 16 feet deep at a point 125 feet from land. All started to swim toward land. Mrs. Hamilton, 21, swam 45 feet, and then her strength gave out, and she went beneath the surface. Miss Reed, 21, who was 10 feet in front of her, swam back to her, pulled her to the surface, grasped the back of her neck with one hand, and swam toward land with her. Mrs. Hamilton frequently tried to grasp Miss Reed, and they both went slightly beneath the surface several times. The young man was a poor swimmer, and his clothing was heavy, and he was unable to help the women. Miss Reed swam 70 feet with Mrs. Hamilton, and then she got a cramp and could not swim. Both went beneath the surface. When they came up, Miss Reed still could make no headway. Finally she pushed Mrs. Hamilton with her foot, and the young man, who had got up on the very steep bank, grasped Mrs. Hamilton and helped her out of the water. Miss Reed then managed to swim three or four feet farther, and the young man grasped her and pulled her out of the water. 8606-1120
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8606-1120