The Washington herald., 1909-07-18

Miss Blanche WillisOn. eighteen years
Old, was rescued from drowning IN the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal near Glen
Echo by Joseph Booker. tweaty-three
years old on Friday afternoon last. when
a canoe overturned. preciptating the eou-
pie into the water.
throng OF pleasure-seekers on the
towpath beside the canal Witnessed the
accident. and saw the young man drag
The girl from the water 10 safety. Only
his presence Of mind and ability as a
swimmer saved her. for the girl was sink
ing the third time when Booker grasped
her by the hair.
Frantic with fear. Miss wmis6n threw
her arms around Bookers neck 81 a
clasp which nearly choked him. In throw
ing of the death clasp the youns man
dived. dragging the girl with him she
let go and went 10 the surface Booker
came up Immediately after he was re-
leased and caught hold or the back OF
the shirt waist worn by Miss Wilson.
SWAN Thirty Yards.
Holding Eer so that her head was above
the water, the young man swan thirty
yards 10 the bank. where several men
were waiting 70 assist him. Miss Will
son was pulled from the water. She
collapsed from fright. but regained con
sciousness n a few minutes.
The accident occurred about o'clock
when the towpath was thronEed with
young men and girls. Booker rented a
canoe and took a seat IN the stern.
Miss Wilson reciined among cushions
In the middle Of the frail craft Booker
removed his coat, and this probably
saved the life Of Miss Wilison. for az
ter the accident the young man said he
would not have been able 10 keep the
girl afoat had he had on his coat IN
the water
Booker padded toward the lock a
short distance below Glen Echo Al
though there were scores Of canoes and
rowboats on the canal. none were near
the lock. The canal grows wider at
this point. and IS about 100 yards from
shore 70 shore. The water IS more
than eighteen feet deep. but there IS
only slow current
Miss Wilson removed her hat and
turned sideway 10 place II in the front
OF the canoe. Probably she leaned too
far 10 one side for al that instant the
canoe overturned. throwing the girl
head foremost into the water. Booker
felt the sudden lurch and tried 70
steady the craft. but he was pitched
overheard. Coming 20 the surface IN
@. second. he saw Miss Willison's head
rise above the water
She was screaming and splashing the
water in her efforts 10 keen ahoat.
Booker shouted 10 her. but she did not
hear him. Before he could reach her
she disappeared. He dived. but failed
70 hnd her. He reached the surface in
time 10 see the girl going down the
third time and, with a few quick
strokes. grasped her by the hair Miss
Wilson threw her arms about his neck
and clung desperately. Booker tried 20
calm her. and made every effort 10 free
himself. but she chung tightly. Realiz-
ing that both would drown unless he
broke loose, Booker dived and swan
for the bottom OF the canal Miss vii
lison elung 10 his neck untl she swaI-
lowed several mOuthfuls or water. and
hen she iet go invOluntarily-
Reached the shore.
Hardly had she reached the surface
when Booker again caught her Swim
ming partly under water, the young
man gradually worked toward shore.
As soon as he saw his companion out
Of danger he dived overheard again
and recovered his coat. hat. cane. and
Miss Willison's hat. Placing these on
the bottom OF the overturned canoe, he
pushed IL 20 shore.
Miss Willison regained her strength
after brief rest. and accompanied
Booker 10 the home Of Manager Shore.
OF Glen Echo. Half hundred persons
crowded about the couple and compu-
rnented Miss WiIlisOn on her narrow
escape and Booker for his heroic res
cue.
The young man and girl remained at
the home Of Mr.. Shore until 70 O'Clock az
night. when they drove to the city in
an automobile owned by q friend who
had been notified OF their plight by tele-
phone Miss Wilson IS from Cumber-
land Nd. and IS IN Washington on
visit. and Is stopping at the home OF
Mrs. Lsongstreet. S7 Eleventh street
northwest. with girl friend from Cum
berland. Miss Susie ArmentrOute.
Booker. who lives at 81 Sixth street
northwest. met the girl a week ago.
Accompanied by Miss ArmentrOute and
another friend the couple went TO Great
Falls on Sunday last.
Booker is in Washington for the sum-
mer. His home Is at Durham. " c.
where he - said to be well connected
He is tall and OF athletic build Four
years ego he saved the life Of Miss
Maria Woods. Of Petersburg. Va, when
the girl got beyond her depth while in
bathing al ocean View. Va.
BOATSWAIN PROVES HERO.