Wilbourn B. Miracle, 33, telegraph operator, saved Rose Anna, 15, and Louise F. Gibson, 17, from drowning, Wallsend, Kentucky, June 18, 1919. Rose Anna lost her footing while wading in the Cumberland River 45 feet from the bank. Louise waded to her and took hold of her, but Rose Anna seized Louise, and both sank in deep water farther from the bank. They rose separately and drifted with the current. Miracle ran 450 feet to the bank, waded a short distance, and swam 30 feet to Rose Anna, whose hair was at the surface. He reached down and brought her to the surface. She struggled and threw her arms around his neck, and Miracle swam about 10 feet to Louise, who was not struggling, grasped her, and raised her head above the water. He then sank with them and could not rise, but he broke loose and came to the surface. Rose Anna and Louise rose, and he again took hold of them. Feeling that he could not reach the bank with both girls, he released Louise, but he immediately recovered her and swam backwards with both girls 20 feet to wadable water. Others then assisted them to the bank. 19673-1665
19673 – 1665
19673-1665