The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-09-18
The Reformed Burglar Imperils His
Own Life to Save Two Men.

Il
Brave Dave Barrett. VINO, although an
ex-convict, was man enough to jump over
board into Gouverneur slip and rescue 12-
year. old Charles O'Connor from drowning
about two months ago. has again distin-
guished himself as man who is willing to
sacrifice his life when that of others is in,
danger.
Barrett's life must be more than UNI
usually strange. or else he must have been
the victim of circumstances when he par
tcipated in the burglaries which made him,
felOn. For bravery of the kind he pos
sesses is usually accompanied by rugged
honesty and answering integrity. OF the
exceptions to this rule only two are known.
They are Dave Barrett and Jack Will
liams. the Atlantic City life saver.
Barrett's most recent work as a life-Saver
was on Friday night, when. by the aid of
two companions, he rescued John Plat, the
foreman of gang of wOrkmen on the Belt
Line railroad, who fell into the river from,
the Market street dock, and John Gleason,
of No. 4 St. James slip, who went over
board from the same pier.
Platt. who weighs 200 pounds. was over
board and almost drowned when Barrett
and his companions, two brothers named,
pier. were called to the scene The CrOnin
brothers found rope on the wharf, and,
picking it up. they ran to the bulkhead over
which Barrett had dived into the river after
Platt. The eX-cOnvict reached the half
drowned man and was swimming with him
towards the pier when the elder CrOnin
threw one end of the rope to him. To-
tread water and pass moose around the.
corpulent foreman required both nerve and
time, but Barrett accomplished the feat,
and Platt was soon hauled onto the wharf
He had not suffered material damage, and
was soon in condition to be sent to his.
home.
Half an hour later, while Barrett was
still drying his clothes on the mooring piles
ON the wharf. cry of MAN overboardv'
was raised and again the doughty Barrett
went to the rescue. The rope used by the
CrOnins was in readiness then and Barrett,
who was weak from his previous exertions,
secured it under his armpitS before going
overheard. He easily reached the man,
who subsequently proved to be JOhnGIeason,
OF No. James slip. John was hauled
high and dry when, instead of expressing
his gratitude. he condemned his rescuers
and caused them to turn him over to the
police. He had one nights rest in the Oak
street station. and was arraigned in Essex
Market court yesterday upon charge of
attempted suicide. He said he was bar
tender. and had got drunk ION his own
BOOZE" and Justice Duffy discharged him,
believing he had been sufficiently punished.
Barrett. who rescued the two men, served
term in state prison for burglary, and
promised to reform when he heard of
his dying mothers request: II hope Dave
will be good boy" After he had rescued
young Charlie O'ConnOr. the police found
that Barrett was wanted for abetting the
burglary at Mrs. Ernestine Schaefe1's home.
and he was arraigned before Judge MARITIME.
peared and said Il am a poor woman and
could not reward him for saving my bows
life Please give him his liberty and YOU
have mothers blessing" Then Judge
MARITIME discharged Barrett. New York
World.