Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-06-27
YOUTHFUL HEROISM
Signal Bravery Shown by William
Dodd in Drowning Accident.
After Saving One Life, He almost Gave
Up His own in vain Attempt to
Rescue His Brother, Reginald.
well Known Here.

A Wfll'amsport Pa. paper contains an
account of the drowning of Reginald
Dodd who was the first child born at
Fort Ethan Allen. The boy was the son
of Col. and Mrs. q. A. Dodd. The third
cavalry arrived at the post in October
1894, and Reginald Dodd was born Jan
uary q of the following year He was
the brother OF the wife OF Capt. e. NJ
Leary. nth cavalry, now stationed there,
Mrs. Leary being the first bride married
here, In July, 1901.
The account OF the accident follows:
On Monday afternoon, Reginald Dodd.
the youngest of the four sons of Col
George A. Dodd, L. s. A., and Mrs Dodd
of Wilamsport. was drowned in what Is
known as Whites basin, near the foo.
of Campbell street. On Thursday after
noon funeral services wore held at the
home Of Colonel and Mrs. Dodd 76l West
Third street, and al the chapel at Wool
lawn cemetery. The Rev. Robert F. Glib
son. rector of Trinity Church. who con-
Quoted the services, paid a just tribute
= the character of the dead boy In his
brief remarks at the chapel He said
Reginald Dodd had such.a we'll developed
character. such a forceful personality
that he would suffer punishment and ridi-
cule from his companions IA ther than do
That which his conscience told him to he
wrong. That essential in his character.
MT. Gibson said, made him exceptional
among boys and made him beloved of all
who knew him Colonel Dodd, who is sta
noned at Chicago in connection with tho
general staff, was present at the funeral.
Messages of sympa thy were received by
Colonel and Mrs Dodd from their hosts
a and 1T,
country
IN Monday afternoon William Dodj
aged Is years Reginald Dodd, aged II
years. and Ralph Keefer son of Otis
NJ. keefer, started out on fishing
Trip They We're to be Joined later by
MIS- Dodd. At Whites basin the BOYS
undertook to cross some OF the logs
floating in the pond. Reginald was in
the lead and he was followed by his
brother and young Keefer in turn. Be-
fore they had crossed many logs, Kee-
fer fell into the water, William Dodd !
went to the rescue. at the same time
cautioning Reginald to stand still on |
n log and not look around. With diff
hcultH. William Dood pulled Keefer TO |
satety Reginald turned around, saw !
the struggle, became nervous and fell |
into the water losing his hold upon the
log. William Dodd then rushed to the |
rescue of his brother When he reach
cd the spot where his brother went |
down. he seized Reginald by the head
ana pulled him to the surface The
log on which ne kneeled began to roll
and he was precipitated in turn into
the water In that brief time Regl-
Maid had gone down again. With re-
markable heroism, William dived to
the bottom for his brother. He lost
his grip on the struggling boy and rose
to the surface to breathe. as his lungs
began to fll with water Nothing
daunted, however. he dived again.
This time he seized Reginald, who was
sun struggling, pushed himself ND
from the bottom OF the basin to rise
rapidly, bringing his brother with him.
Williams head struck log and ne
went down again. becoming uneon-
scious and was pulled out Of the witt
err In the nick of time by Mr. Noon.
who had appeared on the scene Quite
a few moments elapsed before William
was brought back to consciousness.
Half an hour later the body OF Regi-
Maid was found, but all efforts at re-
suscitation were In vain. The dead
boy was lad of great promise He
was studious and had progressed rap
idly in the schools of Williamsport
Too much credit cannot be given
Mr.. Noon, whose timely arrival and &C.
ton undoubtedly saved the life of Will
liam Dodd. while the conduct of tho
latter. first in saving the Keefer boy
and then counting death himself to the
extent OF inSensihility In thu a%sorf 10
save his brother, Is an instance Of de-
votion, brotherly love and heroisn
worthy of emulation and highest COM
The boy could do no more
and his action and efforts were OF the
heroic type, characterizing a long line
ago.