J.J. Wrenn is dead and E.L. Morris, both of this city, narrowly escaped from drowning Sunday afternoon when a boat they were rowing on Loch Lily, together with G.L. Reed, also of Durham, capsized, precipitating the occupants into the waters of the lake. But for the heroism of Claude Hull, son of Dr. and Mrs. Marcus Hull of Durham, the death list would probably have been two.
Sunday afternoon the party of Durham men together with their wives, went to the little pleasure resort near Roxboro for an outing for the afternoon. Engaging a boat they pushed out into the water and were rowing towards the middle of the lake when the boat capsized. The men were thrown into the water and the struggle for life began. Mr. Reed was apparently the only one of the trio who knew how to swim. When the boat turned over, he made an effort to rescue Mr. Wrenn but not being an expert swimmer he had to make for the shore without his drowning companion. Mr. Wrenn went under the water twice and failed to come up a third time until 30 or 40 minutes later, according to information brought back to the city regarding the distressing tragedy. His body finally came to the surface of the water from where it was taken and brought to Durham for preparation for burial.
To Claude Hull Mr. Morris owes his life. Hull is only 16 years of age but is an excellent swimmer. He is attending a house party at Loch Lily and was standing close by, engaged in filling an automobile with gas or water, when his attention was called to the tragedy being enacted on the lake. He wore his bathing suit at the time. Without a moment’s hesitation he jumped into the water and made for the man who was struggling for his life in the water. As he neared him young Hull is said to have called to him not to catch hold of him but, according to reports brought back to the city, in the frenzy of the moment, with death staring him in the face, Mr. Morris grabbed at his rescuer as all drowning men will do. Hull thereupon displayed his knowledge and ability as a life saver. To prevent being taken hold of by the struggling man, he found it necessary to stun him with a blow on the head, after which he towed his man safely to shore. After reaching the shore, young Hull demonstrated his knowledge of first aid for the drowning and resuscitated him.
To Claude Hull Mr. Morris owes his life. Hull is only 16 years of age but is an excellent swimmer. He is attending a house party at Loch Lily and was standing close by, engaged in filling an automobile with gas or water, when his attention was called to the tragedy being enacted on the lake. He wore his bathing suit at the time. Without a moment’s hesitation he jumped into the water and made for the man who was struggling for his life in the water. As he neared him young Hull is said to have called to him not to catch hold of him but, according to reports brought back to the city, in the frenzy of the moment, with death staring him in the face, Mr. Morris grabbed at his rescuer as all drowning men will do. Hull thereupon displayed his knowledge and ability as a life saver. To prevent being taken hold of by the struggling man, he found it necessary to stun him with a blow on the head, after which he towed his man safely to shore. After reaching the shore, young Hull demonstrated his knowledge of first aid for the drowning and resuscitated him.
While the grim fight for life was being fought by the men in the water, the wives of two of them were standing on the bank of the lake looking on, horror stricken and unable to offer any assistance to them. Mrs. Wrenn and Mrs. Morris were the women present.
After the disappearance of Mr. Wrenn under the waters of the lake, efforts were made to locate the body and to bring it to the surface, it was stated, but they failed. After the body had remained under the water for a half hour or more, it rose to the surface. It is the belief of a number of the people who witnessed the tragedy that the body was held down by some snag in the bottom of the lake, preventing it from rising the third time.
Mr. Morris was removed to the hotel in Roxboro immediately after the accident, and medical aid summoned. Reports from there during the night were to the effect that his condition is serious. Several physicians are in attendance and Mrs. Morris is also at the bedside. the shock of the terrible experience with the probability that injures were sustained during the struggle for life are thought to be responsible for his condition. Unless he sustained serious injury, however, he should show rapid improvement and recovery.
The heroism of young Hull brought forth much enthusiastic praise on the part of many of the people who witnessed his act in saving Mr. Morris. The boy has been taking a course in life saving and first aid and the training received stood him in good stead when he was called to meet the test. To him goes the credit for the saving of a life at the risk of losing his own.
Mr. Wrenn was a salesman of the Banner Motor company of Durham and resided on Morris Street. He was well known in the city and enjoyed the confidence and respect of those with whom he was associated in business and with the public at large.
He is survived by, besides his wife, his father, J.T. Wrenn of Raleigh; four brothers, Ira of Roxboro, Arthur of Green Level near Apex, Artis of Washington, D.C., and Willie of Williamsport, Pa. The sisters are Mrs. Cora Porter of Durham, Mrs. Josie Bowen of Durham and Mrs. Erma Hooper of Yanceyville.
Complete funeral arrangements have not yet been announced, but it is understood that burial will take place at the Levington church burial grounds near Roxboro. Further arrangements await the arrival of the members of the family of the deceased.
Mr. Morris was reported as resting easily with immediate danger not apparent according to a long distance telephone message from the hotel in Roxboro at 2 o’clock this morning. He will likely be removed to Durham where he can be given hospital attention should it be necessary.
From page 2 of the Durham Morning Herald, Monday, July 28, 1924
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84020730/1924-07-28/ed-1/seq-2/
No comments:
Post a Comment