The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-08-04
MEDAL MEDLEY.
Boynton's Collections Of Dec
orations and Devices.
A List Of the Jewels and
History.

Isot " tiC JCWOio oaiu
History. 80
$50
III @1
Captain Paul Boynton, who is at present
on the steamer, st. Jacobs OIL as the
guest of its commander, Captain Greiner,
has been the recipient of numerous pres
ents, medals and other emblems of appre-
citation and gratitude from various societies
and municipalities of the old country. A
rather peculiar feature in this connection
is the fact that few if amy such medals
have ever been presented to him l.y an
American association. although most of
his exhibitions have been made in this
country This is due to the fact that the
Americans view any such display as an al
yertising dodge of some description. They
conclude that there must be some money in
it, as otherwise no man would be found
following such chosen life. They will
not give the aquatic wonder credit
for inventing water suit purely
for invention sake, and enormously afsirms
that he is making the trip down the vari
Gus streams in the employ of some rubber
house, who seek this mode of advertising
their goods.
THE FACTS.
Boynton disclaims any connection with
ID rubber house or other establishment, and
states that he is making the trips down the
rivers as much for personal qualification as
for any other reason.
As is generally known he refused to give
an exhibition ia this city, as the impression
had been created that he was doing so as
an advertisement He disliked to appear
ia. that light and consequently has not
made display rs was expected he would
before his arrival.
He is taking notes of his travels and viii
incorporate the most interesting incidents
in q book which he is to publish under the
title OF "Roughing it in a Rubber Suit, or
Ten Thousand miles in Life-Saving
dress ,s5 sses.. - a.. t#sss s.8 .sa.
This book however will not be publish
ed before the first of next January, as he
intends to conclude his trip down the Mis-
sissippi and Missouri rivers, and will not
finish the latter trip before the latter part
of next October
DECORATIONS.
Hc has In his possession at the present
time Il case of pretty design, composed of
several varieties of American woods inlaid
with rare mosaic work, in which are a num-
Der of medals and decorations which have
been presented to him by different sover-
eigns, municipalities and associations of
the world, through whose countries he
made voyages while in Europe.
Many of them are grateful souvenirs of
those whose lives had been saved by the
Captain, while Others are srecognitions by
g.
ed them, and still others are the orders of
knighthood conferred by Royalty itself as
a token of appreciation and honor These
decorations were displayed to an ARGUS
representative, and their description are
as follows:
silver medal presented by the Lite
Saving Association of the Loire in France
is the first object that attracts attention
The workmanship is perfect, and the arti-
Gle is generally admired.
Of other medals is subjoined -;
A silver medal presented by the citizens
of Leeuwarden, Holland;. q golden Order
of Leopold of Belgium, conferred by the
king of Belgium: a massive gold medal of
the Life Saving Association of Paris; the
gold medal of the Nautical society of
Troycnne, France; the bronze medal of the
Italian Life Saving Society; the silver med
al of the Life Saving Association of Agen. |
France; gold medal of the first order of
the Life Saving Society of France; the sill |
yer medal of the Leander society of Lon
don, given to the Captain after his voyage
across the English channel; the silver med
al of the Hamburg Ship-wreck Society; the
silver medal of the Life Saving Associa
ton of the Tiber, Italy; the silver medal
of the Institute Confucius of France; a
silver medal from Versailles, France; the
silver medal of the Sanveteurs de Ia Gar
renne of bordeaux; silver shield presen
ted by the students of Christ Hospital Col |
lege, London, which was attached to a silk
en- college flag.
TOKEN OF GRATITUDE.
Among the collection is an iron pendant, |
inlaid with silver and gold, made by a
Spanish fisherman, presented to the cap
tain by the fishermen at Barcelona, in rec |
ognition of his aid in a grand fete given
for the bentit of the families of the sailors |
shipwrecked by the great storm in the
Bay of iscay. This the captain prizes
beyond all other medals and decorations. |
The next is the silver medal of the life
saving society of Stettin Germany; two
je-vefs. Of the Friendship Lodge of Masons,
of London; Ts1 gold ffiss 1sf present Cd
by person whose life the captain saved
in Philadelphia. This is the only medal
given him by his own ceuntrymen. though
he has saved many lives and rendered val
liable service as a member of the life saw
ing corps. A silver medal presented at /
Seville, for saving the lives of two persons
from drowning in Lake Traimeno, Spain,
in 1877. The cross of the Order Of the
Crown of Italy, pinned upon his breast by
King Victor Emanuel. of Italy at Naples |
Feb 6, 1877. This cross carries with it |
the order of knighthood; the gold medal of
the second class of the life saving service |
of France; the silver medal of the life !
saving society of Genoa; q gold medal
with white enamel shield of the sailors so
ciety at Nantes, France; the silver cross of
the Order of Hercules, of England; the |
gold and white enamel order of st. Maur- |
ice and St. Lazuras of France, presented
by Marshal Mcmahon at Montarges.
SPANISH HONORS.