New Britain herald., 1927-01-17
TORONTO CONGRATULAES
 CATALINA ISLAND VICTOR
George Young 17-Year-Old Swimmer Only Entry to Finish Widowed Mother Joyous Over Sons Suc- cess-Started Swimming When Six Years Old Trained By Johnny Walker, Granite Club Instruc- tor-Holds Records and Water Championships

toronto, ont, Jan. IL N'-IO OrOn- to's congratulations have been sent to George Young, youthful conquer or of Catalina channel, on behalf of thA city Mayor Poster sent mes sage reading: I congratulate you on your wonderful victory and the honor you have brought to the city by your achievement"
 Plans are under way for civic recognition of the swimmer and his widowed mother, who stayed at home and prayer for his success, Unti, George sets date for his re- turn, no time can be fixed for the reception.
 q told you so.' was heard ire quently in Toronto swimming and Y. M c. A. circles today when the friends of the r year old prize win rer gathered to talk about his vic tory. immediately swimming com panions told all sort of stories about his prowess in the water-how when only nine years old he showed re- markable aquatic ability; that icy waters had no terrors for him, and not even zero weather could keep him out of Lake Ontario; of his rec making swims at various dis tances.
 Great was tho pleasure that came 10 Georges mother, Mrs. Jane Young. Her elation however. was followed immediately by concern for the health of her son. "Oh, I hope George doesn't catch pneumonia she exclaimed.
 Mrs. Young became a widow when George was only few months old. She lived in Scotland then. but after struggling for two and a half years, she brought George to Canada, settl- ing in Toronto. Through all sorts of hardships they struggled. ever waiting for the day when George would have a chance to prove the confidence his mother had in him. And that chance came through the aquatic ability of the boy.
 Started When Six
 George started to swim when he was six years old; at eight he came under the eye of John Walker. swimming instructor at the Granite club here. With the guidance of Walker. George made such progress. that at 16 he held four records and IS swimming pionships. Now he is the holder of four Canadian championships--the 20 yards and 200 yards, free style, the quarter mile and one mile.
 How George got 10 California for the swim is an interesting bit of local history. Unable to find anyone able to finance him. he determined to go nevertheless. He and a friend. William Hastings. set out in an old motorcycle to cross the continent. Undaunted by vicissitudes they reached the coast. Young never for a moment lost hope that the s25,ooo prize would be his. When his mother had given him all her sav ings-sfs5-as he started on his long Journey. she also gave him the motto, Don't fail-whatever you start, finish"
 Georges friends were particularly interested in the story of how two young honeymooncrs from Quincy, Mass. Mir. and Mrs. Jimmy Foster, rave the swimmer and his pal, Hastings, lift in their flivver, from Little Rock. Ark. to San Pedro. The boys were desperate, for their n, ot ornvc1e had sim DIy ref1sed 10 20 farther, their funds were low. and things looked dark for them. Not wlthstandine this, the honeymooners reported, the boys laughed just the same.
 Johnny Walker was more pleased over the victory perhaps than any other person In Toronto. except Mrs. Young. The friend and train CT of George said: