J. Thompson Brown attempted to save Theodore E. Sebrell from drowning, Goodes Ferry, Virginia, June 8, 1920. Sebrell, 18, student, while holding to a ferry boat that was crossing the Roanoke River, lost his hold about 200 feet from the bank, where the water was 10 feet deep, and was carried away from the boat by a swift current. Thompson, 17, student, dived from the boat, swam to Sebrell, and supported him, attempting to swim with him toward the bank. After swimming and drifting with Sebrell about 900 feet and having gone slightly under the surface several times, Thompson rose to renew his hold, but Sebrell sank and was drowned. Men in a scow then reached Thompson, and he was taken to the bank. 21741-1777
21741 – 1777
21741-1777