New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-13
HEROES.

We do not need to 60 back to the annals OF
chivalry, nor 10 war times, to find heroes. They
may como to view almost any day, when tho
crisis forces them to the front, and they are
more likely than not to be fellows in rough
coats
There was Michael AIaloney foreman Of the
gas-works in Brooklyn where the explosion
took place the other night. An immense tank
holding half million cubic feet Of gas had
exploded, and there was o wild scene Of wreck
and confusion. Two others, each containing
half that amount, were beside it. Maloney de-
termined TO prevent another explosion, IL he
could, and went up on the second tank TO open
a valve and let the gas escape. He was in
imminent danger, but he saved the tank. and
soon after he had been dragged away by the
iiremen the third exploded This was de-
votion to duty as heroic as II was simple.
There was the case Of Fireman Snyder, in
Pittsburg, who risked his life to rescue mes
senger-boy, fourteen years old, from the ruins
Of seven-story building blown down by the
tornado. The boy was pinned. down in the
cellar by a scantling that lay across his breast.
Above him was mass Of timbers and bricks
apparently kept in place by the scantling.
Snyder-not name that. which would or
dnarily suggest heroism-came forward and
offered to cut the timber away, taking the risk
of being crushed to death BY the avalanche
that might como down upon him. Happily,
there was no collapse Of the overhanging mass,
and the boy was taken home TO die in his
parents arms. 1t is more than likely that that
poor father and mother think a good deal Of
Snyder, and think none the less Of him because
his name is not what would be called high
sounding Ii may be that they get little
wet about the eyelids when that very prosac
name Is mentioned. Let Us hope they do.
Then there was Father Canevin, who, with
man named Devlin, was supplying the samo
poor boy with drink Of water, at the peril Of
both their lives, when he saw wall falling
upon them. He gave his companion a push
so as to save him, and then met the shock in
such way that he might save rs much breath
ing-space as possible for tho imprisoned lad.
Tho priest was a hero and we need not lose
sight Of that fact because there have been
many such priests, or because we take heroism
in such men very much as matter OF course
And why is not Abraham Lincoln Pearsol-
good name, that--somcthing Of hero? lie
is the pittsburg steamboat mate who appeared
on the scene without any authority but that
given him by his pluck and brains and took
charge Of the work Of rescue from the ruins
1t was PearsoI who scaled tottering wall and
lassoed seven-story chimney which was
threatening life every moment that it remained
standing, and which could then be pulled down.
Up to his arrival that chimney seemed to be n
hopeless problem, but Pearsol solved it prompt
ly by the simple process OF putting his own
body in peril Whenever we want seven
story chimney lassoed we shall send for Pear
SOL He is brave and ready man, and we
like him.
Then there was Jim Givens, the Mississippi
pilot, whose name is known now through two
continents because he gave himself up to the
flames to save his passengers. The courage
that will keep a man at his post while fire il
consuming his flesh must be of the highest
kind. The courage that carries man into
battle is mere childs play alongside the en-
DURANGO that will hold him to one spot while
the flames are destroying him. There are very
few heroes so grand as this one. The Jim
Bludsov Of fiction must take off his hat to the
Jim Givens Of reality.
There are many such heroes whom we never
hear Of. Their names do not get into tho
| newspapers and they sink into nameless
graves. Or more often still, they don't die at
all. and may not even suffer any hurt, and il
does not occur to anybody that they have done
anything out Of the common. because their
bravery has had no tragic sequel. Probably
there Is mover tenement-house fire without
some elf-sacrifcing act by fireman which at
tracts little or no attention. Our heroes are