Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-26
HoNoRs TO MURRELu.
London's Magnificent Testimonial to
the Gallant CAPTAIN.
tCoppripht 1889 bu James Gordon Bennett


tCopnight 1889 bv James Gordon Bennett1
LONDON, May 25.-fNew York Herald
Cable-Special to The BEE. THE banking
account of Captain Murrell, commander of
the Missouri, who, on the morning of April O,
rescued 135 emigrants from the sinking Dan
mark in mid-Atlantic, under circumstances
or great peril and immense personal and
commercial risk, must to-day present much
more healthy appearance than 1t did two
months ago. His heroic act has been recog-
nized In three countries in princely man.
ner, and presents in gold and kind, and titular
honors have been lavished upon him. The
city of London was, yesterday afternoon,
enthusiastic in his honor, whilst boquets and
testimonials await him in the cities of Col
chester and Cardiff, and there Is strong
probability that the freedom of London will
be presented to him.
His reception ia London eclipsed all pre-
vious festivities in his honor. The scene in.
side was an unusually brilliant one, and
when Captain Murrell entered, in company
with the lord mayor, the band struck up
"See the Conquering Hero Comes" At the
same time the entire audience rose en- masse
and shouted and hurrahed until the civic
walls rung which completely drowned the
music. Men waved hats and women flour
ished umbrellas and handkerchiefs. and it
was some minutes before silence was re-
stored. ALI this time Captain Murrell
stood blushing and bowling, and the lord
mayor encouraged a prolongation of the ova-
tion by leading it.
A minute later the applause was resumed
when the officers of tho Missouri joined their
chief on the platform. The speeches were
of most laudatory character and replete in
references to the nobility OF native Brit
ish, the pluck and great humanity of the
heroic captain, and every such reference
brought the people to their feet with storms
of applause
The proceedings commenced by the lord
mayor calling upon the band to
play "Hearts of Oak" w. Con-
molly, secretary of the testimonial COM
mittee, described Captain Murrelrs
reception in America and the organizing of
fund to fete him in England. There has
been el0150 paid or promised, and the list
was still OPEN. Mr.. Connolly said il had
been decided to give each member of the
crew two months pay and each officer gold
watch and two months pay, and tho bal
ance, which it was hoped would reach $500,
to the captain himself. In spite of all the
honors that are being heaped upon him, the
Englishman. He concluded his enumeration
of the honors, past and prospective, arranged
for Captain Murrell, by announcing that
when that officer returned to the United
States he was to be presented to the presi-
dent at Washington.
After speech from the lord mayor in
which he paid a high tribute to the captain,
officers and crew of the Missouri, he pre-
sented Captain Murrell with silver salver
and the officers with gold medal and check
for two months salary.
When Captain Murrell rose to respond, the
whole audience rose aJ the same time and
cheered vociferousiy for several minutes. He
said it was with n very high sense of graft
tude that he and his crew were present and
he thanked the meeting for the cordial
reception that had been accorded
them. The gratitude of the people
they were the means Of saving
was sufficient Tor him and his
crew without any further recompense. He
spoke Of the responsibility he felt when
throwing over the cargo but said he con-
cluded that merchandise was nothing when
compared to human life, sentiment that was
loudly cheered.
The Danish minister, NJ De Folbe ex-
tended the gratitude of his countrymen,
from place to cottage, from king to peasant
to Captain Murrell and his brave crew.
General New, the American consul, added
words of welcome and the lord mayor ex-
planned that the American minister would be
present, but until he was presented to the
queen he had no official status. General New
said the appreciation of true heroism
was common to the people of all climes, and
especially to the people of old England,
America, and, perhaps, in no less degree
the people of Denmark Captain Murrel's
would stand out conspicuous as great effort
of true seamanshp and gallantry.
General New then gave the popular COM
mander checks for $780, and Captain Muir
rell, having broken the fastening of the
sealed letter, the lord mayor read letter
from the chancellor of the German empire
highly eulogizing Captain Murrell, after
which the proceedings terminated.