The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-05-05
DOVER BOY HERO
Has Thrilling Experience In Rescuihg
Drowning Man, Suddenly Gone
Insane, From Waters
OF Ohio River.
dover News)

To struggle desperately in the Obi,
river. many yards from shore, in
small boat with a powerful man sud
denly become insane, was the horri
flying experience OF Frank Mitchell, |
resident Of this place, Saturday morn
ing.
Frank crossed the river early Sat
urday morning with the intention o
purchasing a small rowboat from Mr.
James Graybill OF Levanna. Upon
landing on the Ohio shore he OBJ
served a man walking up the grade
whom he mistook for Mr.. Grayblll
When Frank called to the man anc
found that he was mistaken in his
identity he, nevertheless, engaged hin
in conversation. The man told Frank
that his name was Edward Thompson
that his home was in Levanna, ant
that he also had a boat for sale. This
boat was snort distance down the
river, so the two entered Franks boat
in which to make tho trip to. the spot
where Mr. Thompson's boat was an
chored, Frank taking the oars and Mr.
Thompson occupying the seat in the
stern of the boat.
They had been rowing several min
utes and were about thirty yards from
shore, engaged in pleasant conversa-
ton. Mr.. Thompson conversed intel
ligently and by his demeanor gave no
hint Of the approaching attack OF mad
ness which was about to seize him
Suddenly he arose, and standing upon
the seat which he had just occupied,
and poising himself momentarily, dived
headlong into the water. Frank was
bewildered at the mans strange action
but lost no time in preparing for his
rescue. Luckily. In making the dive,
Mr.. Thompson had swung the boat
around so that the bow now pointed
upstream. Mr.. Thompson had arisen
to the surafce and Frank quickly
reached his side. Just as he was about
to seize the unfortunate man he dived
beneath the surface for the second
time. When he arose again to the
surface Frank seized him, and then
commenced a furious struggle, Mr.
Thompson bent upon self-defense and
Frank determined to save him. If pos
sible.
At an Opportune moment, when Mr.
Thompsons back was toward the boat,
Frank seized him by both shoulders
and pressing his right knee firmly be-
tween, prevented. him further strug-
giles. Then with his left foot holding
to a runner along the bottom of the
boat he succeeded in slowly dragging
him aboard. Mr.. Thompson, appar-
emily, was somewhat weakened by his
struggles in the water and Frank was
able to hold him on the bottom OF the
boat while he padded frantically for
shore. Here in the mud the struggle
was renewed with increasing violence
on the part Of Mr.. Thompson, who kept
yelling They're after me-" while
Frank hung gamely on, calling all the
while for assistance. Finally. Mr.. Nor.
ris Taylor. living nearby. answered
the call and the now thoroughly en-
ragged mailman was proving more than
a match for both him and Frank when
Mrs. Taylor, who, also, had heard the
calls, arrived on the scene with a rope
Soon a number Of other men we're at
tracted to the scene, eight OF whom
took hand in binding Mr.. Thompson
and removing him to his home. After
his arrival there he became quiet. and
we understand that he has now re-
covered from the attack.
Franks feat in recovering Mr..
Thompson, who weighs $50 pounds,
from the water and saving his life,
required remarkable skill and brav-
cry. a rare presence OF mind and. lit
orally. superhuman strength, for the
feat would not have been possible
the stimulus afforded by the
necessity of saving a life. He dis
plays an admirable modesty In re-
counting the details of the narrowing
experience and is being congratulated
on all sides for his pluck and courage
and his unselfish disregard of his own
safety. Had the boat eapsized during
the struggle il Is not at all improbable
that a double tragedy would have re-
suited and that Frank Mitchell would
have found watery grave in ma
MACS death grip.
Franks courage has never been
questioned, but he is none the less
entitled TO credit for his conduct In
this instance, The incident Is worthy
Of the attention Of the Carnegie Hero
Commission and the News for one,
would be gratifed to have the commits
sion investigate the matter.