Lily Blanks Clarke, 14, student, saved Emma L. Biedenharn, 14, and Leland W. Petagna, 14, student, from drowning, Monroe, Louisiana, March 9, 1917. Lily’s younger sister jumped from a small boat on Lake Beulah, causing the boat to upset, and Emma and Leland were thrown into the lake 260 feet from shore, where the water was eight feet deep. All started to swim toward shore. Lily, who was dressed, removed her sweater and shoes, waded 15 feet from shore and, swam 110 feet to her sister and Emma and then swam 15 feet toward shore with them, one holding to each of her shoulders. She told Emma to release her hold and then swam 10 feet farther with her sister, shoved her toward shore, and returned to Emma. Her sister swam to shore. Lily swam 25 feet farther with Emma, and because she was tired, she turned on her back and had Emma transfer her hold from her shoulder to her foot. She then swam 60 feet with Emma to wadable water. Without stopping to rest, Lily swam 240 feet to the boat, which was bottom up, and she pushed it 10 feet to Leland. Leland took hold of the boat, and Lily then swam and pushed the boat to wadable water. Emma and Leland were not seriously affected. Lily was exhausted and was semi-conscious but recovered. 17765-1477
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