The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-08-17
CHARLES BILLER's BRAVERY.

CHARLES BlLLER'S BRAVERY.
Charles Biller, lad of thirteen, was
rowing down the Passaic River, near
Rutherford Park, one summer day in
1877, when he saw fat-bottomed boat
with four girls in it struck by another
boat containing three boys. The col
lision stove in the side of the scow, and
tipped over the boat, so that both par
ties were thrown in the water. Quick
as thought Biller threw off his coat-he
had been bathing, and his shoes were
already off-and jumped in after the
girls. His companions were younger
than he, and too terrified to do anything
but sit in the boat and stare.
Two of the girls were about his own
age, and the others year younger.
Biller himself was used 10 swimming,
and grasping two of the girls, he struck
out for the shore which was one hun
dred and fifty feet away. Reaching it
in safety, he left his freight. and went
for the others, who were still struggling
in the water. Some boatmen had mean
while gone to the rescue of the boys
who had caused the accident, and one
of these caught one of the remaining
girls. while Biller saved the fourth. For
this brave exploit, the boy was rewarded
with a gold medal from the Humane
Society of New York. When, some
time afterward, he came to go into bust
ness, his courage and manliness were
not the least of his recommendations.
The boy or man who does one brave
deed very often has the opportunity to
do another, and although in the case of
Charles Biller the opportunity was de-
layed six years, he was quick to inn
prove it when it came. One bright day
this summer he started from his home
in Newark, n. j., for a days ex-
cursion to Coney Island, and was walk
ing from Brighton to the Iron Pier, a
distance of about mile.
As he trudged along Biller saw ahead
of him carriage standing on the sand,
and near by girl, who, as he gazed.
suddenly ran down to the water and
plunged in. She was not in bathing
costume, and the unusual sight excited
the lad 5 wonder and curiosity. At the
same moment he saw gentleman get
hurriedly out of the carriage, using a
crutch to help him in the descent, and
then hobble down to the shore, where he
stood waiss deep in the surf, wildly
waving his hands.
By this time, persuaded that some
thing must be wrong, Biller had run to
the spot, and now he saw, far out in
the surf. a little head, toward which the
girl was bravely swimming. dare say
70 fh.a
Passaic River, and the day, six years
before, when almost the same scene
went on before his eyes. But he did
not stop to think. Kicking off his shoes
and throwing aside his coat, he ran
into the surf, dashed by the man and
swan for the girls, the elder of whom
had already caught and was buoying up
the little one.
"Keep her head above water"
Biller called loudly as he drew near the
girl, who was as brave and plucky as
he.
She managed to do as she was bid,
and then Biller directed her to take
hold of his shoulders, at the same time
leaving his arms free to carry them both
inAshOre. The man meanwhile had
dropped his crutch in his excitement,
and when Biller, having landed the two
girls, looked around, he saw the Grip
pie swept away by the treacherous surf.
1t was only the work of a moment to
plunge in again; but the man was now
as far out as the little girl had been
when Biller first saw her, and every
moment was carrying him further
away. With a few rapid strokes Biller
neared him, but, afraid of coming too
near, tried to grasp him by the hair.
This, however, was too short, and when
Biller took hold Of the drowning mans
neck, the other turned and fastened
on the swimmer his deadly clutch.
The lad swan as well as he could in
the mans terrible grasp, but lost con-
sc;ousness just as they reached the
shore.
In the course of the same afternoon
Biller's employer in Newark was
shocked by receiving telegram an
nouncing that the young man had been
drowned at Coney Island while cour-
ageously endeavoring to save a Mr..
Benedict and his little girl, who were
perishing in the surf. The father was
sent for, and the sad news communited
to him. But before he left the office to
convey it to his wife second message
came, reading as follows:
Don't be alarmed. Was senseless for n
time, but am all right again, and on my way
home. Had the good luck to save Benedict
and two daughters; was rewarded with dia-
mond ring, gold watch, and other presents.
&C. H. BrLLER."
Biller's Inconsistencies had lasted
for half an hour. When he came to
himself he found the gentleman and his
daughters anxiously awaiting his reviv-
al, and insisting that he should &c
company them to their cottage, where
he was fitted out with dry suit of
clothes, and overwhelmed with thanks
from Mrs. Benedict for the preserva-
ton of her husbands and children's
lives.
The father pressed upon the lad sum
of money, and when this was declined,
compelled Biller to accept the gold
watch and chain which he had carried
in his own pocket, and valuable dia-
mond ring, as an expression his graf
itude and regard. These the young
man shows to aGy one Who may be in
terested in the affair, though he does
not fancy the publicity 1t has brought
him. ~ have had SO much said about
me lately in the papers, and it was
merely an accident" he remarks in a
letter l have just received from him, and
which l am sure he will pardon me for
quoting, for the glimpse that it gives of
his character.
Some one, trying to be witty, has said
that absence of body is better than
presence of mind, but this is the way
the coward looks at it. One who is
brave will try to be prepared when the