Shirley Beebe saved Donald W. Reuther from drowning, Cassadaga, New York, May 9, 1936. A canoe in which Reuther, 17, school-boy, and two other boys were riding in Lower Cassadaga Lake capsized at a point 150 feet from the bank, and Reuther swam to a point 80 feet from the bank to water 12 feet deep. Miss Beebe, 14, school-girl, paddled a kayak to Reuther, who removed his shoes and a heavy sweater and gave them to her. Thinking he needed no aid, she paddled toward the bank. When Miss Beebe was 30 feet from him, Reuther was submerged briefly and called for help. Miss Beebe tossed a paddle toward him, but it fell short, and then Reuther was submerged. Removing her shoes, Miss Beebe dived from the kayak, upsetting it, swam 20 feet, dived, and brought Reuther to the surface. Turning him on his back, Miss Beebe towed him as she swam 60 feet to water three feet deep. They waded to the bank.
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