Kentuckiana Genealogy: Newspaper: Frederick W. Lee's Act of Heroism Described by His Father

By Board Administration (Admin) (96.28.66.101) on Saturday, March 31, 2012 - 07:21 pm:

Floyd County, Indiana

Indianapolis (IN) Star, May 2, 1914, p. 4.

PARENT SHEDS TEARS AT NEWS
Indiana Man Describes Son's Death after Rescuing One Girl

New Albany, Indiana, Ma 1-Tears came into the eyes of Robert D. Lee, 55 years old, tonight when informed that the Carnegie Commission had awarded him a bronze medal for an act of heroism that cost the life of his son, Frederick W. Lee almost ten years ago.

"My boy was so young to die," the father said, "He was only 21. I am glad, though," he continued, "since he had to die that he died a full man-sized hero."

Mr. Lee said his son, who was a boiler maker, lost his life at Ingram, Mo.
(difficult to read), May 21, 1905. Six persons were in a skiff in the James River when one of them lost an oar and, in attempting to recover it, capsized the skiff fifty-five feet from the bank. Leo took off his coat and shoes, dived from the bank, and swimming against the current, affected a quick rescue of one girl. When he came near Miss Lulu Rhodes, 18 years old, she threw both arms around his neck, pulling him beneath the surface. Lee was unable to extricate himself and both were drowned.

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Special thanks to Randi Richardson