James Everett Roach, 33, shoe factory stitcher, saved George W. Day, 50, laborer, from suffocation, Buford, Georgia, September 4, 1937. Day was overcome by an unidentified gas in a well 31 feet deep. At least 10minutes later Roach arrived, having run 300 hundred feet. Meanwhile 10 gallons of water was thrown into the well. Three other men at the well would not enter to aid Day. Roach sat on a bucket attached to a windlass-rope, took a deep breath, held to the rope, and was lowered to Day, who was in a stooping position. He took hold of Day with both hands. As the others began to draw him up, Roach released Day, because he feared the handle of the bucket might break, got off the bucket, and called for a rope. A rope eight feet long was dropped to Roach. Holding his breath as well as he could, he tied it around Day and to the windlass-rope above the bucket. Roach held to the windlass-rope and ascended steps that were dug in the sides of the well as Day was drawn up beneath him. Roach was in the well at least three minutes. Day appeared lifeless. He was attended by a physician and recovered. Roach reeled slightly, was weak, and breathed with difficulty.
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