Lee B. Muenzler, 17, student, saved Philip Stehle, 16, farmhand, from drowning, Cost, Texas, May 28, 1917. While wading across the Guadalupe River, Philip lost his footing in midstream and was carried into deep water by the current. Lee waded from the bank, swam 35 feet to Philip, who was sinking, and caught hold of Philip’s legs with both hands. Philip grasped Lee’s wrist, and they sank to the bottom. After drifting 60 feet, Lee broke Philip’s hold, rose to the surface, and caught hold of a branch of a tree. Philip’s hand appeared at the surface, and Lee grasped it. Then the branch broke, Lee and Philip again sank, and Philip grasped Lee around the neck with both arms. Lee broke Philip’s hold, rose to the surface, and then dived again for Philip. Philip grasped Lee’s leg, but Lee pushed him away, grasped his hair, and took him to the surface. He then swam 40 feet with him to a point 15 feet from the bank, where he became so tired that he sank to the bottom, but he sprang to the surface and grasped a fishing rod, which projected from the bank. It broke, and he continued swimming with Philip until Philip’s brother and another youth formed a chain and assisted them to the bank. 18011-1508
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18011-1508