William L. Kadel, 11, schoolboy, rescued Karen Sue Holmes and Margaret A. Brayton, each 4, from being killed by stampeding cattle, Buffalo Prairie, Illinois, May 28, 1945. Karen and Margaret through a gate entered a pasture; and followed by a large dog, they walked 900 feet to within 275 feet of a herd of 23 cows and their calves. Some of the cattle became enraged at the dog and ran toward the girls, who were between the herd and the dog. The girls turned and ran ahead of the cattle toward the gate. William ran 25 feet, climbed a fence into the pasture and ran, passing within 25 feet of the herd, which had stampeded, 450 feet to the girls. Getting between them and grasping each by an arm, he ran and pulled them as they ran 175 feet farther to a corn crib. He and the girls reached it 10 feet ahead of the herd and stood with their backs against one side of the crib as the cattle passed them at full speed, the nearest being within three to five feet of them. 40461-3449
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40461-3449