John E. Rufus saved William L. Crull, 31, plasterer; Ida B., 30, and E. Elwood Crull, 4, and M. LuEmma Tabler, 16, from drowning, Morris, Illinois, July 4, 1913. A boat sank midway between the banks of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, where the water was seven feet deep, and Miss Tabler, the Crulls, and six other persons were thrown into the water. Rufus, 36, hod carrier, who was fully dressed except coat and vest, jumped into the water from a float at the bank, taking a plank with him 35 feet to Mrs. Crull. She was treading water and holding Elwood. Sitting on the plank, Rufus lifted Elwood up in front of him, then he grasped Mrs. Crull and Miss Tabler in turn and drew them to the plank. They both grasped him around his neck and clung to him. The plank sank until he was in water to his waist. Crull came to the surface near the plank, and Rufus grasped his hair. A man in a boat then arrived and took Crull into the boat and towed Rufus and the women and child to the bank. 11235-1101
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