Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1919-02-07
BOYS LIFE SAVED
BY QUICK ACTION
His 0vercoat Removed Under
Water by Brother
Clarence Lavalley Broke Through Ice
X. Barber and DR.. Waterman Arrive
at opportume Time.

Quick and thoughtful action by an
older brother coupled with unusual and
fortunate circumstances, saved the life
of four-yearold Clarence LaVallcv,
son of Mr.. and Mrs. Albert LaVallev,
who live on the island, about $40
o clock Tuesday afternoon, when the
boy broke through the ice in the Con.
necticut river at the outlet of West
river, near the three bridges, when re-.
turning with his older brother, William,
10, who had been skating on the Re.
treat meadows
AS soon as Clarence went through the
ice William, without waiting to remove
his skates, jumped in to rescue his
brother. The youngsters weight in wa.
tersoaked clothing was more than the
older brother could manage to pull out
of the water and while Clarence was
still struggling under water William,
with just his head out, removed the
smaller boys overcoat, thus enabling
him to pull Clarence out of the water
and on to the ice.
Meanwhile a railroad llagman stopped
Mr.. and Mrs. Lawrence X. Barber, who
were returning from an automobile ride
on Putncy road. Mr. Barber waded into
the river about to his waist, took Clar.
ence just as William pulled him on to
the ice, and carried him to shore
After Mr.. Barber started for the
shore with the child in his arms vii.
liam, walking on the ice shorcward
broke through and he also was pulled
in by Mr. Barber.
About the same time Dir. II. L. Wa
terman, returning from Putncv, was
stopped by Mrs. Barber, and he worked
over the lad 10 minutes before signs
of life were seen. When respiration
was fully restored the child was taken
to the Memorial hospital, where he re.
manned over night, returning home
Wednesday.
The boys left home about 400 clock
William skating and pushing his small
brother on a sled. They went up the
river to the three bridges, passing under
the north end of the bridges to the Re
treat meadows. After remaining there
for a time the little lad complained of
feeling cold and they started for home,
Clarence getting off the sled and run
ming ahead. They took the shorter cut,
passing under the south end of the
bridges.
William rode with Mr.. Barber as
far as the end of the Connecticut river
bridge near the railroad station and
ran home from there. When he arrived
at the house, chilled through, his par
ents inquired for the other boy and he
then told his story.
When Mr.. Barber returned from the
hospital he also went to the LaValley
home to assure them that the child was
safe at the institution and probably
would be able to return home in Il
short time.
The children were missed and u sister
had been sent out to sec if she could
find them. She looked in either direc-
ton on the river and called to them, but
received no response and had returned
to the house just before William ar
rived home.
Much excitement and anxiety were
aroused when rumor became current
around town about O clock that seven
children had been drowned, and telc-
phones were kept busy for some time in
an effort to verify the report and ascer-
tain particulars