The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-03-16
THE STATE CAPITAL.
A Fitting Close to the Session
of the Legislature.
LIEUT.. BROWNS PRESENTED
With Testimonial from His Native
State for His Heroic Conduct at
samoa.--Gov. FlemIng's Speech.
Quiet Follows Adjournment.

| special DSpdteA 70 plt lHttIt1eHaT.
CHARLESTON, W. VA. March 49,
Lieutenant R. N. G. Brown, Of the
United States Navy, who by his bravery
saved the lives Of four hundred people
during the Samoan storm, two years ago,
and who has been the guest Of the West
Virginia Legislature for two days, was
at noon yesterday presented with q very
handsome gold.handled sword by both
Houses Of the Legislature in the hall Of
the House Of Delegates. The presenta-
ton speech was made by Governor
Fleming, and responded to by Lieuten.
ant Brown, -s-.r-.--.-..
The Governor said: Itis my pleasant
dutyto formally present q citizen Of
West Virginia this handsome and suita-
bly, inscribed sword as testimonial OF
the States recognition Of gallant and
heroic service.
Ineed not recountin detail the egraphic
story Of the disaster at Samoa in March,
1889. The United States frigate Tren.
ton, flag ship Of the Pacific squad.
ron, was among the storm.tossed yes.
SELL. in the fatetul harbor. Rudderless,
ssilless and propellerless in the height
OF the storm, she was drifting on to her
doom upon the reefs. At this critical
moment the nerve and ready invention
OF one man, In rank only a Lieutenant,
but by virtue Of superior ability in that
time Of danger the recognized leader
and real commader Of the Trenton,
proved equal to the supreme occasion.
Ordering his crew Of four hundred into
the rigging, he secured In the form OF
massed humanity Just the requisite sail
to drive his chip clear Of the reefs and
back into the open water, saving the
Trenton from destruction and her four
hundred and forty souls from death by
8 method as novel as it was daring.
But 1t was not by this conspicuous
performance alone that this navigating
officer, R. N. g. Brown, OF the Trenton,
won distinction In the awful disaster at
Samoa. After the Trenton struck the
steamer Vandalia, he alone Of all the
officers OF the Trenton remained on the
bridge during the height OF the storm,
giving the orders that reached the Van.
dallas crew from the sunken steamers
mast. Indeed, throughout the whole Of
that terrible disaster the deeds OF Lieu
tenant Brown were characterized by
heroism and gallantry that added real
glory to the American Navy and chal-
lepged the plaudits OF the Nation.
Lieutenant Brown, on behelf OF the
State OF West Virginia and by authority
OF her Legislature, have the pleasure
OF presenting TO you this sword in recog.
milton OF gallant and meritorious SER
vices performed by you in the line Of
duty as an officer in the navy OF the
United States.
Poetry has canonized the memory OF
the gallant "Six Hundred" that rode
into the mouth of bell, !" and history has
immortalized one Of her brightest
pages the "three hundred" who fell at
the gateway Of Greece. This sword, the
gift OF your native State, will, so long as
It has form and remains intact, be tes-
timonial Of your intrepid deeds and brill
liant achievements and warrant To |
honorable fame.
The sword Is very handsome, aud Is
embellished with appropriate setting
and mountings, and bears the following
inscription:
"From his native State, to Lieut.. R.
NJ. g. Brown, U. s. n, in accordance
with a joint resolution OF the Legisla.
ture Of West Virginia, passed March 70,
1891, for heroic conduct and brilliant
seamanship on the flagship Trenton, at
Samoa, March 16, 1892