In a previous post last year, I told you about the grave of a dog buried at Kiroli Park next to the amphitheater. I told you about an almost drowning that happened in 1931 that may have been mixed into the legend of Buddie the dog. Here is the article that appeared on the front page of the News-Star on June 17, 1931.
Brave Scout Saves Life of Buddy in Pool at Ki-Ro-Li
Tragedy at Camp Ki-Ro-Li, encampment of scouts of the Ouachita Valley council, was averted late yesterday when Buddie Bubb, son of Mrs. A.H. Bubb, matron at the municipal natatorium, saved the life of Sammie Brown, troop 53, Winnsboro. Seized with cramps, young Brown sank in the camp swimming pool and would have drowned had he not been given assistance.
As a matter of fact Sammie had little chance to drown as the waterfront squad was on the job, but young Bubb’s action was so quick that the waterfront men’s assistance was not required.
The regular swimming period had just closed and four boys were taking first class swimming tests. They had swam across the pool and back three times and were returning for the fourth time when Sammie was seized with cramps. He cried out for help and then sank.
Before the water crew could reach him, young Bubb had dived from the platform and had risen near the struggling lad. he grasped him with the one-handed chin carry and swam easily to shore with him. Although suffering pain from the cramps, Sammie relaxed as completely as possible and offered no resistance to his rescuer.
When he reached the bank young Brown was placed under the care of the waterfront crew. They wrapped him in a blanket and carried him to a cabin, where they massaged his muscles with alcohol until he was relieved.
Speaking of the rescue, J. Noble White, executive of the Ouachita Valley council and camp director, said:
“This demonstrates the great value of scouting. It shows that a boy learns to think and act quickly without fear of the consequences to himself in cases of emergency. The boy who rescued his companion acted instantly without pausing to deliberate and the boy who went down had been so thoroughly schooled in scouting that he trusted his rescuer implicitly and was thus able to make his rescue easier.”
According to Mr. White, this is the first time in the history of Camp Ki-Ro-Li that it has been necessary for one scout to save another. In spite of this fact the vigilance with which the lives of the scouts are guarded has not been relaxed. The aquatic patrol, under the direction of the camp supervisor, is always ready for action when boys are in the water.
Find-A-Grave memorials:
Sammie H. Brown
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58652211/sammie-h-brown
Walter H. “Buddie” Bubb
Ouachita Parish History Tidbits 
Interesting. Never knew Kiroli was ever spelled Ki-Ro-Li.
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I always enjoy reading obituaries and was glad you included the links for these two men in the article. Imagine my surprise when I read that Sammie Brown’s daughter was married to my mom’s first cousin, Carl H. Hanchey!
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