In Search of a Clemson Hero from the Mid-Nineteen Fifties

Jul 18, 2019, 12:03 PM

High Falls 1966 .jpg(165.6 K)

This Post is for Clemson Students from the mid-nineteen fifties, or their families. I am searching for a hero that I never thanked. My hero was a tall, thin, athletic young "Clemson Man" with short cut hair, who saved my life at *High Falls in Oconee County. I recently posted the childhood memory on my facebook page, and was encouraged to share it where it might be seen by more of the “Clemson Family
I tried to find him in a Clemson digital yearbook; however, while the event is stored like a video in my retrievable memory files, the features of his faces have blurred. My hope is that he, or one of his three companions, shared the story that day. I think he would be in his mid to late eighties if he is still alive.
*High Falls was once a popular place, where locals and visitors came to picnic and swim. Shortly after 1966, the area was submerged beneath 75 feet of water. Today, many boaters on Keowee pass over the spot, unaware of the beautiful falls that were there.

Facebook Post
One summer day in the fifties, a young man from Clemson was relaxing with a few friends after a swim at High Falls in Oconee, SC. A group of children with one adult were picnicking also. One of the youngsters remained in the water, walking backwards toward the falls (until chest deep), and then swimming, time and time again, toward shallow water. He didn't see her when she stepped back, one step too far, and was sucked under by a waterfall whirlpool. No one saw her as she fought her way up from the hole, unable to scream. Pulled under again, she saw the swirling bottle caps in the sand and kicked her way up again and managed a scream. She saw a tall young man leap to his feet on the bank, as she sank again, too tired to hope that he would save her. A peacefulness engulfed her as the light faded above her...For a moment, she was sad for her parents who would
miss her...** The stranger pulled her from the water, saving her life that day.
I never got to thank him. He would have to be in his late eighties, or older now. I wonder if the young man from Clemson ever told his children, or grandchildren, about the summer day that he saved a little girl's life at High Falls.
**Note: I have no memory from this point until I am looking up at the young man. My muscles cramp and I am in pain. Blurred memories of him helping me to feel better.

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