The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-02-05
Boys LIFE SAVED
BY QUICK ACTION
His WatersOaked Overcoat
Removed Under Water
BY Brother
CLARENCE LAVALLEY
BROKE THROUGH ICE
Lawrence z. Barber and DR.. H. L.
Waterman Arrive at opportune Time
and Respiration Is Restored After
Boy Is Thought Dead.

Quick and thoughtful action by an
older brother, coupled with unusual and
fortunate circumstances, saved the life
of fouryear-old Clarence LaValley,
son Of Mr.. and Mrs. Albert LaValTey,
who live on the island, about $50
clock Yesterday afternoon, when the
boy broke through the ice in the Con-
neeticnt river at the outlet Of West
river, near the three bridges. when re-
turning with his older brother, William.
-, 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 yoHngster 's weight in wa
| tersoaked clothing was more than the
older brother could manage to pun out
of the water and while Clarence was
still struggling under water William.
| with just his head ont. removed the
smaller hoy s oyereoat, thus enabling
him To pull Clarence out of the water
and on 10 the lee
Meanwhile railroad flagman stopped
Mr.. and Mrs. Lawrence X. Barber, who
were returning from an automobile ride
on Pntney road. Mr. Barber waded into
The river about to his waist. took Clar-
Ifnee 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 shoreward
broke through and he also was pulled
in by Mr. Barber
About the same time Dr. II. l.. Wa
| terman. returning from. Putnev, wa,
stopped by Mrs. Barber, and be worket
over the lad 10 minutes before sign.
Of life were seen When respiration
uas fully restored the child was takel
TO the Memorial hospital, where il wa
said this morning that he Was doinj
well and that he probably would go t,
his home today.
The boys left home about 40 clock
William skating and pushing his smal
brother on sled. They went up tn
river to the three bridges, passing unde
lie north end OF the bridges to the Ri
treat meadows After remaining ther
for time the little lad complained Q
feeling cold and they started for home
Clarence getting off the sled and rur
| ming ahead. They took the shorter Gu
passing under the south end of III
: bridges.
William rode with Mr. Barber q
{ far as the end OF the Connecticut rive
!. bridge near the railroad station an
{ ran home from there. When he arrive
at The house, chilled through, his pa
/: ents inquired for the other boy and b
4 | than 4aid hic
/ When Mr. Barber returned from th
hospital he also went 10 the Layalle
i home to assure them that the child W.
j safe ut the institution and prohabl
II would be able to return home in
q short time.
q The children were missed and a sist,
i had been sent out TO see ii she coul
i find them. She looked in either dire
tion ON the river and called to them, bl
4 received no response and had retnrne
ii to the house just before William q
Il rived home.
q Much excitement and anxiety VIC
II aroused when n runor became curre1
\ around town about o clock that sew,
II children had been drowned, and tel
le phones We're kept busy for some time
d an effort to verify the report and asce
+ tain particulars.