James W. Sampson, 36, store manager, saved Charles C. Grantham, 22, clerk, from drowning, Ryan, Oklahoma, July 21, 1909. Sampson, although tired and nervous from having been forced to swim farther than he was accustomed to swimming, swam 30 feet in the Red River to Grantham, who had become exhausted in water 10 feet deep. Grantham became unconscious as Sampson reached him. Sampson was unable to swim with him, and, as he was pulled under the surface by the weight of Grantham’s body, he shoved Grantham toward the bank and went to the surface for air. Twice he let down and, standing on the bottom in water over his depth, pushed Grantham toward the bank. He gasped to companions on the bank that he needed assistance. When he reached the surface 10 feet from the bank, with Grantham on his right arm, a pole was extended, and he was assisted to the bank. He was exhausted. Grantham was revived. 4723-603
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