Robert F. Conley, 13, schoolboy, attempted to save George E. Potter, 13, schoolboy, from drowning, Bridgeport, Connecticut, January 16, 1915. George broke through weak ice on Berkshire Pond, 275 feet beyond the wadable limit, and was unable to climb out. About 20 boys gathered on the ice 40 feet from the hole but were afraid to go nearer. Robert, with a clothesline tied to him, walked toward George. His foot broke through once, but he withdrew it and kept on. About eight feet from George he broke through, and he then swam to George, breaking the ice as he went. He seized George and was drawn back to the edge of the ice, but the clothesline broke and allowed both to sink back beneath the surface. Robert held to George and regained the surface, but he became numb while unsuccessful attempts were being made to throw the line to him, and George slipped from his grasp and was drowned. A rope was later thrown to Robert, and he was drawn out of the water. He was too weak to stand and was unconscious by the time he had been taken to his home, but he recovered. 14187-1304
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