Jasper N. Elder, 53, postal clerk, saved Janet Sue Rexrode, 12, from drowning, Cold Stream, West Virginia, August 7, 1955. Elder and his wife had taken their daughter, their son, and Janet Sue to a camp near a natural pool in the Cacapon River. Janet Sue and Elder’s daughter attempted to cross the pool by stepping from boulder to boulder. Both girls lost their footing and fell into water eight feet deep, submerging briefly 25 feet from the bank. Their calls for help attracted Elder, who had eaten heavily a short time before. Running 200 feet to the pool, Elder waded five feet and then swam 20 feet to the girls. Janet Sue alternately was submerging and surfacing while holding to Elder’s daughter, who was completely submerged. Elder directed Janet Sue to get on his back, which she did. Impeded by the weight of the girl and by her hold about his neck, Elder swam 20 feet to wadable water. Although tired, nervous, and winded, Elder immediately swam back toward his daughter. Upon reaching her, Elder suddenly became inert and soon sank. The bodies of Elder and his daughter were recovered an hour later. 43591-4032
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