The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-05
ELABORATE, BUT VAIN.
PETITION BEFORE THE
COUNCIL YESTERDAY.
Parents of a Young Man Who Played
the Hero at the Time of tho Kate
Adams Burning Want Some Proper
Recognition of Him.

The following document came before
the Legislative Council at its meeting
yesterday 1t will be seen to be little
out OF the usual liue OF papers submitted
to that body:
To the Hon. d. p. Hidden, President Taxing
District
1t is a time honored custom in the old
country, from whence we came, TO bestow
rewards OF merit for heroism or acts OF self
sacrifice, whether the same was extended
to individuals or to the general public. 1t
IS also a custom, ii not law, IN some por-
tons OF this country along the sea coast,
especially along the borders OF the Eastern
States, that parties or organizations have
been formed whose duty or business it is
to rescue life aud property in cases OF ship
wreck, or other disasters which may beiall
vessels by storm, fire or otherwise, and
among those organizations the man who
by mis- daring and intrepidiIy succeeds in
doing the most good, either i'm the saving
OF life or the rescS-of property, is recog-
nized in substantial manner by medal
OF honor or pecuniary reward. We have
no such coast, and consequently no ship
wrecks; but we are on the banks OF the
Mississippi, an inland sea, upon whose
with the products OF our country, and
often, too often, with our men, women and
children, who, while not exposed to ship
wreck by storms, as in the case OF sea yes.
sells, have yet greater danger TO en-
counter from the inllammable material
they carry, OF destruction by fire, in which
case the horror OF being burned is added
TO that OF death by drowning.
These rpmarya arp callnI forth hv n
knowledge OF some OF the particulars con-
nected with the recent burning of the
Kate Adams; and the individual OF whom
We speak is our son Julius Grover, who
follows the humble calling of fisherman,
and VINO happened to be one OF the pas
sengers on the III lated boat At the time
OF the accident, owing, perhaps, to his ia
miliarity with the river, he did not
lose his presence of mind nor did he
turn his attention To the saving Of his own
little effects, but with true heTosm and
self-sacricc gave his efforts to the saving
Of human HE. Leaping overheard he
grasped one OF the drOwnlngand bore him
safely to the shore. lie did not stop there
where his own safety was assured, but
again and again he plunged into the cold,
chilling water until ho had succeeded in
bearing eighteen persons 10 the land in
safety.
True, lac il our son, and, OF course, we
feel deeper interest and more pride iIi
his welfare than strangers would. Yet
We think such brave and unsellish conduct
as this should not 20 unacknONlcdged.
We believe that lac deserves something
more ;han u passing mention; that some
thing should bc done calculated to enCOur-
agr hiM aud attract attention 10 his con-
duet, 20 ihat his example might bc emu
lated 10y others.
But the question is 10 whom can we ap.
ply iur such recognition? Regarding the
hate Adams as home institution, idenii-
fed with Us 10y name, ownership and in
the person OF her commander, We could
think OF none other loapply but the Taxing
D.suict, through You, It's Chlci Magistrate.
Believing that you desire TO sec justice
done aud honor awarded to whom honor
is due, We respectfully ask you 10 submit
this TO your board that they may, II in their
power, do something for Julius Grover,
either as q mark Of honor or ~ n recon-
: pense. Respectfully, q. WLLER,
42l Main street. MRS. NiLLER
As soon as the reading was finished, Col.
Randlc made haste 10 observe that this
Council Is no lifc-slving concern"
President lladden threw out the sug.
gcstion that there was nothing In the
budget that could 20 toward rewards Of
tine character prayed.
Col. Randle wanted II referred 10 Capt
Lee, with power luaL
The idea at last a nc out, and tho peti
ton was referred tp :hc presidents Of III,
two exchanges, 10 take up subscriptions.