Lorenzo Ortiz, 28, track laborer, saved Alexander S. Townes, 10, from drowning, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, January 27, 1912. Alexander and an elder brother, neither of whom could swim, fell into the North Fork of the Canadian River and were carried 10 feet from the bank, where the water was six feet deep. Ortiz and a companion, who were warm from work, ran 700 feet, undressed, and, although the water was nearly covered with cakes of drifting ice, swam 70 feet across the stream to the boys. Ortiz could not reach Alexander because of the ice. He swam to the bank and ran a few feet along it to a point opposite which Alexander, unconscious, had disappeared, and jumped into the water. Ortiz dived and, having secured Alexander, swam a few feet to the bank. His companion brought the other boy to the shore and held both boys until Ortiz scrambled up the steep bank and helped them out. The two worked over the boys until another man brought them some clothes, 30 minutes after they had entered the water. The boys were revived. Ortiz cut his right leg near the shin while performing his act and was disabled 13 days. 8257-714
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