Nellie Brooks Patterson saved Delmer W. Cash from drowning, Lofton, Virginia, September 1, 1933. Delmer, 3, fell through a narrow opening into water nine feet deep in a well 18 feet deep. Mrs. Patterson, 59, housewife, who was a poor swimmer, removed a pump from the well, leaving an opening 30 inches square. She descended by means of niches in the wall of rough stone until her feet were five feet below the top and then lost her hold and dropped into the water. She was briefly submerged, stroked with her arms, and got her feet in niches beneath the water. She ascended the wall until her feet were slightly below the surface of the water and then lifted Delmer, who was struggling violently, from the water. She rested a moment and then, holding Delmer close to her with one arm, climbed by holding to stones with one hand and at times steadying herself by pressing her back against the wall. She ascended until her shoulders were within two feet of the top. Others then arrived at the well, and Delmer’s mother reached in and pulled Delmer out of the well. A man reached in and grasped Mrs. Patterson’s arms and pulled her out. Mrs. Patterson was lame for two weeks as the result of a knee injury sustained in her fall. 33523-2809
33523 – 2809
33523-2809