The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-03-06
A MERITRD TRIBUTE.
An ElegantGold Medal Present.
ed TO MiIan's Florence
nightingale.

Nightingale.
Last night, at the meeting of the
Literary Society. in Masonic Hall. a
very happy change vas made in the
order of business by the presentation
Of beautiful gold medal to Miss
Mamie Lopez. who, as our readers
know, did such excellent work last
year among the sick in our midst. 1t
wa tribute most wortbily bestowed
and very appropriately given BY the
EOang men who with, her bore the
brnnt of that terrible dark fight with
the pestilenee. The accomplished re-
cipient will allow the EXCHANGE to
heartily congratulate her. The med
al is ofan oval shape, about two inch
es long and one and one>half inches
wide, with a wreath of laurel around
one side, with other ornamental eary>
ing. The back of it is also elegantly
carved. The front side contains the
inscription, Presented to Miss Mamie
&. Lopez, in elegant lettering. The
back contains the following: "By the
young gentlemen of Milan, foI her
heroic conduct during the epidemic of
1873" Prof. B. r. Hooker made
the presentation speech in the follow
ing appropriate language:
Mr.. Presidential few moments
since | was informed that the very
pleasant and delightful duty devolved
upon me Of adding my testimony to
that of many Others. to the the worth
and nobility of character of one whom
we all love to praise and delight to
honor, AS the chosen representative
and spokesman of the young men Of
Milan, l now appear before you to
perform that pleasant duty. Ever
since the fall Of man misfortune and
sickness, sorrow and death have been
bis allotted portion of that mysterious
inheritance which originated in the
rosy bowers OF Eden. Every age has
had its heroes and heroines. who have
written their names in inde!ible char
acters upon the pages of both sacred
and prefane history. The memorable
year of 1878 has added many more to
swell the list of martyred dead and
heroic living. 1t is only when the
dark wing of misfortune hovers over
head withits sable pail, and the clouds
of adversely gather around, that true
worth is known and appreciated. On
ly few months ago. when cur little
town was in1mourning and despair,
and the cry went out, help or we
die, " then it was that Milan's heroine,
in the person OF a lovely and beauti-
ful young lady, appeared and dared
to Go that which made strong men
trepble and quake with fear. Mr..
President, L allude TO Miss Mamie
Lopez, the bravest of our little band
Of Towards; she eviaced a courage in
comparison with which all otl, ers sink
into insigai6cance. She has inscribed
her name upon the hearts Of those
who know her in characters that the
wear Of time can never efface. Truly,
stars shine brighter at night and true
worth glOws with undiminished lustre
in afflictiOn'S hour. Miss Mamie, the
young men of Milan desire, through
me, to present to you this medal as a
token of their esteem and apprecia>
ton of your true worth and heroic
courage during the epidemic Of 1878,
with the assurance that while reason
remains seated on her throne, they
will remember you With pleasure and
pride. Accept and wear it with the
assurance that you have sown seeds
in the great field Of life that will ripen
in eternity and fill heaven itself with
~ We eds q kls 52Hi sEugg ,auclys
Miss Mamie replied in the following.
words, proving by the tremulous ca,
dence of her voice how much she APP
preciated the beautiful offering: o.asq
Ell 81 scarcely know, indeed | do not
know, how to express my deep and
heartfelt appreciation of this beautiful
gift. which is SO lily deserved; but 1
shall prize it above all things, and
keep it as long as / live. token that
my friends deemed me worthy of such
a remembrance. l wish could thank
you as | would like to, but | am pow
erless to say what feel, and will ask
some one to give me list of the names
of the donors that | may have the
pleasure of thanking each one person
ally" 'D.a %