Wills Point in Van Zandt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Elbert Gray
Photographed By Jeff Leichsenring, April 7, 2024
1. Elbert Gray Marker
Inscription.
Elbert Gray. . On Feb. 5, 1912, 16-year-old Elbert Gray committed a most heroic act. Two-year-old Calvin Stepp had fallen into a water well sixty feet deep and barely one foot across. Lowered by rope, Elbert descended feet first to carry Calvin to safety, but near the top Calvin slipped and fell again. On the second try, Elbert went head first and successfully rescued Calvin after four hours trapped below the surface. Both youths had only minor cuts and bruises. Newspaper accounts and letters of support sent to the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission resulted in Elbert being awarded a Carnegie Hero Medal in Oct. 1913. During World War II, Elbert lost all fingers on one hand in a Dallas War Defense plant. Elbert and Calvin kept in touch the rest of their lives.
On Feb. 5, 1912, 16-year-old Elbert Gray committed a most heroic act. Two-year-old Calvin Stepp had fallen into a water well sixty feet deep and barely one foot across. Lowered by rope, Elbert descended feet first to carry Calvin to safety, but near the top Calvin slipped and fell again. On the second try, Elbert went head first and successfully rescued Calvin after four hours trapped below the surface. Both youths had only minor cuts and bruises. Newspaper accounts and letters of support sent to the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission resulted in Elbert being awarded a Carnegie Hero Medal in Oct. 1913. During World War II, Elbert lost all fingers on one hand in a Dallas War Defense plant. Elbert and Calvin kept in touch the rest of their lives.
Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16714.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Heroes • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is February 5, 1912.
Location. 32° 41.556′ N, 96° 0.721′ W. Marker is in Wills Point, Texas, in Van Zandt County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of County Road 3410 and Bama Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker stands inside of Greenwood Cemetery. Touch for map.
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Marker is at or near this postal address: 460 Co Rd 3410, Wills Point TX 75169, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 47 times since then. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 8, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
