William Nathaniel Banks, Jr., helped to save J. Warren Mitchell, Jr., from drowning, Newnan, Georgia, June 10, 1934. William, 10, school-boy, and his cousin Barham Donald Banks, Jr., purposely overturned the rowboat in which they and their cousin Warren were riding on a small lake at a point 140 feet from the bank and then in water 15 feet deep held to the boat or swam near it. Warren, 8, became frightened and swam toward the bank. When he was 20 feet from the boat, he was briefly submerged and called for help. William swam to him, and Warren threw his arms around his neck and wrapped his legs around him. With difficulty William maintained himself by stroking and treading water, was momentarily submerged, and bobbed up and down. Donald swam 30 feet to them, grasped William’s hair with one hand, and trod water as he stroked with his free arm. He dipped under the surface two or three times, called for help, and with effort supported the others until a boat was paddled to them from the bank. Warren and Donald were helped into the boat. William, who was nearly exhausted, held to the boat as it was paddled to the bank.
36306 – 3009
36306-3009