The New York herald., 1879-12-28
BRAV ERY AND SKILL.
Presentation of the Bennett Medal TO
Captain Daniel ]. Meagher.
HIS II + r OIC A c Il.
Deeds Which Have Been SINH
larly Rewarded in the Past.
THE ROLL OF MERIT"

At Firenan's Hall yesterday the Bennett Medal was
presented by Commissioner John j. German by re-
anest the trustees of the fund.- to the fireman who
performed the most gallant act Of the year 1875 in
fe-saving The recipient was Captain D. J. Meagher.
foreman of Hook aud Ladder Company Nos At
eleven o'clock the entire company, under command
Of Chief of the Sixth battalion L. w. Weihelm and
Captain Meagher. filed into the large hall and were
ormed in two sides of a square Following
hem came ten heroes. who had previously
been decorated with the medal. Each man
had his medal displayed prominently upon his
breast. They formed the left of the line. On
the right Chief Bates nearly all the chiefs OF the
battalion formed. few minutes after eleven Presi-
dent King, the other Commissioners. Secretary
Jussen and number of visitors appeared. Mr.
King. addressing the command, read letter from
Colonel I. Bailey Myers one OF the trustees, in
which he regretted that he detained at home by
sickness; hut expressed the hope that the presenta
ton ceremonies would incite others to acts of hero
,sm such as Captain Meagher had performed.
THE PRESENTATION ADDRESS.
Then Commissioner German stepped forward and
addressed the command. as follows:-
GRNrIEMEN-You assembled to-day to partic-
pate in OF the most pleasing duties We called
upon to perform-that of presenting the Bennett
Medal to the fireman who has performed the most
meritorious noble and daring act in the year 1875
The fireman thus selected is douby Fortunate
FIRST i'll having the opportunity to save life; next
in having the courage to act promptly when there is
y greater probability OF saving life than that of
losing his own. Courage is defined as bravery IN
trepidity; that quality OF the mindfwhich enables
men to encounter danger and difficulties with
frmness without fear or depression of spirits.
To see life in peril plan the intelligenty,
to promptly and successfully in saving the life
peril is real bravery. To see, to think, to act,
all must be instantaneous, but not with rashness.
which is inconsiderate promptness. often causing
the failure of well intended act Cool deliberate,
intelligent bravery is generally successful and will
always have its reward if in other way in the
happy reflections consequent upon knowledge Of
having acted well your part.
At midnight. on the I'd day Of May, 1878, fire was
discovered on the upper floors Of No. 2s East Four
teenth street. The alarm was sounded for station
839. Captain Meagher, OF Hook and Ladder Com
pany No. 3. with his command, was in front of the
burning building in less than two minutes from
the time the alarm was sounded and on his arrival
saw female form partly hanging out of the fourth
story window. He ordered a forty-two foot lad
der placed against the building, which done
with almost the speed of thought but it proved
to be about ton feet short. He ordered at
II be placed the highest step OF the
front stoop. Fireman Flood than whom no more
gallant man is in this department) assembled the
ladder which still too short to reach the person
hanging out of the wiudow. At this point Fireman
Flood unfortunately seriously injured his foot, the
severe pain or which tor moment paralyzed his
efforts.
THE CAPTAIN TO THE RESCUE.
Captain Measher. taking III the situation ut q
glance ordered that the ladder be held erect and
away from the building. SO as to get all the length
possible. He then ascended standing on next to
the top round of the ladder, fifty-two feet from
the sidewalk and his head Just up to the feet
the woman. He gave her some words of
encouragement, and, in calm but decided
manner. directed her to hold her limbs and body
rigid possible. All being ready he told her to
drop; she did SO he caught her III arm, steady
ing himself by the power of his limbs and one hand
OIL the top of the ladder, and thus passed Sarah
Freeman to his comrade, Fireman Flood, who. not
withstandng the intense pain he was suffering by
badly bruised foot carried the frightened woman to
planned and deterInined bravery the trustees have
decided that the Bennett medal for 1878 should be
awarded to Captain Daniel j. Meagher, of Hook and
Ladder Company No. 3.
At this point Captain Meagher. by request stepped
to the front, when Mr.. German placed the gold
medal upon his breast and said:--
1t affords me unusual pleasure to present to you
and place your breast the Bennett Medal for 1873
awarded to you for saving the life of Sarah Freeman
at midnight the I'd day OF May 1878. by rescuing
her from her periious position hanging from tho
fourth story of the burning building. No. 2s East
Fourteenth street. May your life be long spared to
Aid snd assist those poweress to help themselves.
After reading the Official report of Captain
Eeagher regarding the rescue of the woman and
romplimenting him upon his modest reference to
his part in it. Mr. German gave a history OF the
creation of the medal fund.-
HISTORY OF THE FUND.
In September, 1863 the residence of James Gordon
Bennett, founder of the NEW YORK HERALD,
fire. The action of the Fire Department on that oc-
casion prompted Mr.. Bennett to place in the hands
oil Colonel 4. Bailey Myers James NJ. Mclean and
Robert 5. Hone. as trustees. on April 49, 1862
$1,000. the income of which they were di-
rected to use in procuring annually q
gold medal. to be struck from die and
conferred on the fireman who may be best entitled
to that reward The trustees have discharged their
duties faithfully and well. Although but ten years
have elapsed since Mr.. Bennett placed this trust in
their keeping they have had made and presented
fourteen medals, as follows:-
Assistant Foreman Minthorne d. Tompkins. since
promoted to be foreman.
Foreman benjamin A. GicQuel, since promoted
chief of battalion.
Assistant Foreman Charles L. Kelly. since pro-
NOTED foreman.
Fireman Ambrose L. Austin.
Assistant Foreman Thomas Henry. since pro-
NOTED foreman and retired on half pay.
Fireman Thomas Hutchinson since promoted as
slstant foreman and again promoted foreman.
battalion Commander William II. Nash. killed in
discharge U. his duty September It, 1876
Fireman Alfred Conner.
Assistant Foreman Henry Schuck.
Foreman William Mitchell died in service of de-
partment April 70, 1876.
Assistant Foreman James Horn.
Fireman Joseph McGowan.
Fireman Thomas j. Doughcrty.
Foreman Daniel j. Meagh her.
THE MERIT.
Mr.. German proceeded TO speak OF the formation,
In November. 1865, of what Is known as tho Roll
OF Merit, wherein the OF distinguished bravery
by the members OF the force are inscribed. ..I now
PROPOSE" said lie. "to call the Roll of Merit and
hope 1t may bo called at each presentation of tho
Bennett Medal hereafter made. that the names of the
noble fellows inscribed thereon may be kept fresh in
our meiuOry. nave arranged the roll the order
Of their present rank in the department. and take
great pleasure in announcing tho nrst
namc to DO that OF The present Chief OF
Department. Eli Bates then Chief of Brigade.
William Rowe chief OF First battalion then CAPTAIN
OF company; William III. Nash, chief of Fourth bat
talon, whose name inscribed five times on roll
of merit and who killed In discharge his duty
September 10, 1875; John W. Miller. chief OF Fourth
battalion; Benjamin A. Gicquel chief Of Fifth bat
talon, then captain of company; Edward w. Will
helm, chief of sixth battalion, then assistant fore
man OF company; William W. Rhodes. chief OF
Ninth battalion Gilbert j. Orr chief OF Tenth bat.
TALON. Captains-Patrck Donohue. ut that time
sisant foreman OF company; James n. Monroe: WILL
lam f, Hayes twice inscribed roll of merit then
assistant foreman of company: Jacob Van Orden,
twice inscribed roll Of merit. and died in
OF department January %. 1877; John ID. sullivan,
at that time assistant foreman Of company; Charles
L. Kolly. then assistant foreman of company; Peter
Weir. died in service of department August IL.
1875; George W. Erb. Joseph L. McGill,