Walter E. Drumheller, 13, school-boy, died attempting to save Benjamin J. Owens, 12, school-boy, from drowning, Zanesville, Ohio, June 11, 1938. While wading in the Muskingum River, Benjamin lost his footing and drifted in a current of four miles an hour to water five and a half feet deep 70 feet from the bank. From wadable water Walter swam and drifted 15 feet to Benjamin, who threw his arms around Walter’s neck; and they were submerged briefly. Walter immediately was submerged again, and they drifted 75 feet while Benjamin clung to Walter’s neck. Two boys then swam to Benjamin, who released his hold on Walter; and Walter rose. Without difficulty a boy towed Benjamin to wadable water. Walter swam three feet toward the bank and then sank and was drowned.
37137 – 3061
37137-3061