Aiken County ScArchives Obituaries.....Benjamin, Ella August 15, 1884
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The Aiken Recorder 19 August 1884
Heroine and Martyr.

The Tragic Occurrence of Sullivan's Island.

News and Courier, Aug. 16th.

A tragic occurrence at Sullivan's Island yesterday afternoon illustrates anew 
the heroism and self-sacrifice of which women is capable.

Between 2 and 3 o'clock in the afternoon a number of children went in bathing in 
front of Dr. Kinloch's house on Sullivan's Island. The spot has always been 
considered a dangerous one, and it is said that several persons have been 
drowned near the place. Miss Ella Benjamin, a resident of Charleston, who was 
boarding at Mrs. Walker's house, went in to bathe with the children. Julian 
Reid, a little son of Mr. Loughton R. Reid, was among the children who were 
bathing, and the little fellow got beyond his depth and was imminent danger of 
losing his life. Miss Benjamin at once saw the peril, and being a good swimmer 
went to his rescue. She reached the drowning child, caught him in her arms and 
held him above the waves for nearly fifteen minutes until a boat in which were 
two colored men came up.

The little boy was rescued by the colored men, who also made an attempt to 
rescue Miss Benjamin. The prolonged efforts to save the life of the child, 
however, had evidently exhausted her strength. She kept afloat until the little 
boy was safe, and then sank. Every effort was made to recover her body, but it 
was fully twenty minutes after the drowning when the search was successful. At 
the expiration of that time Miss Benjamin's body afloat to the surface and was 
taken ashore. The body of the lady will be brought to the city to-day for 
interment.

The distressing occurance has cast a gloom over the Island, which is not 
lessened by the thought that, in Miss Benjamin, one more women has immortalized 
herself, and so added yet another bright-page to the history of woman's love and 
devotion.

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