THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE
Bunnell, Florida
Thursday, May 11, 1944

Miss Ernestine Rodgers, about 20 years old, of Meigs, Georgia, was drowned at Bruner’s place 3 miles north of Flagler Beach Monday afternoon while surf bathing with two companions, Miss Rudy Dowdy, also of Meigs, and Mrs. Francis Collins of Sanford. Mrs. Collins and Miss Dowdy were revived by U. S. Coastguardsmen from Flagler Beach but their efforts on Miss Rodgers were futile.

The three young women had arrived but a few hours before at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John McCune, grandparents of Mrs. Collins’ husband, whose home is near the beach there. All three women are employees of the government hospital in Thomasville, Ga., and had come to Flagler Beach for a vacation.

Except for the heroic work of 67-year-old John McCune all three would have been lost. The Tribune learned that Mr. and Mrs. McCune had been surf fishing while the young women went bathing and, later, left them lying on the beach in the sun. Apparently the bathers reentered the water and got into a deep “runout.” They called for help and McCune rushed back to the beach, swam to the rescue of Miss Rodgers, carried her to the beach and then waded through the run-out with water over his hear to get the other two and took them to the beach. He then got into his car and wet to Flagler Beach, going to Dick Mosby’s store and after telling them the girls were drowned fell over in a faint himself.

The body of Miss Rodgers has been sent to Meigs for burial. The other two young women left today to return to Thomasville.