William L. Glenn, 25, laundry deliverer, saved Elaine Cale, 25, from drowning, Montpelier, Alabama, April 24, 1938. A boat in which Miss Cale, a boy, and a man were riding in Kelleys Creek got out of control and drifted toward a dam, over which the water dropped 10 feet; and they jumped from the boat. Glenn dived from an abutment less than 10 feet upstream of the dam and rose to the surface five feet from them. All four immediately went over the dam into water 10 feet deep. Glenn was submerged twice, being buffeted by turbulent water; and with great effort he swam to the surface and then became dazed. Recovering somewhat, he removed his trousers and drifted in a current of about five m.p.h. to submerged rocks 45 feet from the dam and 50 feet from the bank, where he got footing and held to a tree limb that was wedged between rocks. Miss Cale, who was unconscious, drifted near Glenn, who waded five to 10 feet on the rocks in neck-deep water, aiding himself by stroking, and got hold of Miss Cale; but he was too weak to hold her head above the surface. A short time later a boat was pushed to Glenn. Miss Cale was pulled into it, and Glenn held to it and was towed toward the bank. Glenn waded the last 10 feet and then fell from exhaustion. Meanwhile a man who was a good swimmer rescued the boy. The man who had jumped from the boat was dead when taken from the water.
37051 – 3117
37051-3117