The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-07-08
MISS MARY PROCTOR DROWNED
Efficient and Much Esteemed Trained
Nurse Lost Her Life in the
Surf Mt Pablo

Miss Mary T.. Proctor, one of the |
best known registered nurses of Jack |
sonville, was drowned in the surf at
Pablo Beach yesterday afternoon at
about /: 80 O'clock, while her sister, |
Miss Louise Mckinney. narrowly es-
capped a like fate, after they had been
induced to go out too far by a young
man, who, ii developed, could only
take care of himself during such peril
Gus moments. Confusion reigned about
the board walks and among bathers
nearby. Miss Mckinney was rescued
by a young man who hurried to her
assistance, but, exhausted through his
battle with the breakers, he was un-
able to rescue Miss Proctor. Rich
ard Taylor. Chancey Singleton and
Clifford McMeekin, attaches of the
Ocean View hotel bath house. made an
heroic effort to save Miss Proctor, but
could only recover her all but lifeless
body. She was finally drawn out on
the beach and DIR. Greiner called to her
side. The physician worked despe-
rately to resuscitate the unfortunate
young woman, but she had been in the
water too long, and his efforts were
futile.
Little HerOlsm shown
CndTdCleTlLeu dS IL useless waste VI
a human life and the whole accident
as one in which the elements of hero
ism were sadly wanting on the part of
nearby bathers, the accident appeared
to many who were near the scene as
one which could have been averted.
Just after the two young women en-
| tered the surf, the unknown young
man came forward and asked them to
let him pilot both out some distance.
Gradually, it is said, he carried them
| further out, when suddenly the waves
| broke upon them. Added to this, was
| the strong undertow at that point md
| the panic-stricken fears of the trio
The young man is said to have been Of
no assistance whatever to the women.
Battle Against Odds
1t was at about this time that Miss
mckinney was rescued and brought to
the beach. The three attaches of the
bath house, Taylor, Singleton and Nc
Meekin, were in their citizens cloth
| ing when they saw what was taking
place Taylor and Singleton both
reached the point where Miss Proctor
| was drowning at the same time, but
just as one caught her, a tall breaker
| came and his grip was broken. Nc
Meekin had then placed a life line and
buoy in place and the body was
| brought to shore.
Popular Young Woman
Miss Proctor's home was at Is West
| Sixth street She is survived by her
! mother Mrs. Mollie NJ Mckinney and
| two sisters, who are Misses Emmie G.
| Proctor and Louise Mckinney. She
was born in Ocala. but the family has
resided in Jacksonville for a number
| of years. She was we'll known as
! trained nurse and had scores of friends
| who will be shocked at the news of
her death. She and Miss Mckinney
are said to have made the trip to Pab-
| 10 yesterday primarily for the purpose
| of engaging boarding accommodations
| for their mother for a few weeks
| During their stay, they decided to go
into the surf. The body was placed in
charge of William c. Cooper. Jr., and
brought to the city.
Miss Mary Proctor received her
| training as a nurse in the Marion
County Hospital. and was a graduate
| of that institution. Her first work as
! a nurse was done in this city and
county, and she was much esteemed
here. The news of her death causes
great regret, particularly among the
physicians of the city, with whom she
worked in many difficult cases.