Mary Blanche Nelson saved William D. Compton from drowning, Camp Curry, California, June 24, 1923. While fishing in the Merced River, William, 14, schoolboy, fell into water five feet deep and was quickly drawn by a strong whirling current into deeper water 15 feet from the bank. Mrs. Nelson, 41, housewife, who was fully clothed and a poor swimmer, waded out into water beyond her depth, and then swam four feet to William. She grasped William’s wrist as he was about to be submerged and vainly tried to swim against the current back to the bank. Then she caught the end of a strap which was thrown out by a small boy, and she and Compton were drawn to the bank. 24290-2004
24290 – 2004
24290-2004