Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-07-09

For many years Ida Lewis, the keeper
of the Lime Rock Light. has been distin-
guished as the only woman upon whom
the United States government had be-
slowed the gold medal for bravery in saw
received honorable recognition, Miss Ber-
tie G. Burr, Nebraskan girl, and Mrs.
Martha White, of Copalis, Washington.
The granting of medals to citizens for
deeds of extraordinary daring and endur-
ance is authorized by acts of congress
passed in 1874 and 1878. They are known
as life-saving medals of the first and
second class. The gold medal of the first
class is given to persons who perform life
saving acts of extreme and heroic daring,
and the silver medal of the second class to
great degree of intrepidity. In eighteen
years $40 persons have received medals,
the two ladies mentioned being the latest.
A party of young ladies one day last
summer were bathing in the Blue river
| near Crete, Nebraska. One of them disap-
peared in twenty feet of water, and Miss
Burr, the only swimmer in the party,
plunged into the swift current and brought
| her safely to shore. In the excitement of
| the movement another girl ventured out
too far and was carried away by the cur
! T6uG, DEMONSTRATING D ocCOuu uoIolS nAo 6uC-
| cessful effort on the part of Miss Burr. In
| the case of one of the rescued she used the
! method of resuscitation, which, together
with the art of swimming. she learned at
Lasell Seminary, Auburndale, Mass. Those
| away y-behind-the age people who object to
athletics as forming part of the curriculum
at girls school will please make note of
this.
Early in the morning of January 20,
| u Io1a I
off North Beach, about fifteen miles north
of the entrance of Gray's hsrbor, Wash.
ington There was q strong gale, q heavy
sea and dense fog. Mr.. and Mrs. White
hearing that there was ship in the break
ers, went out to the beach and attempted
to signal the ship by firing a musket an6
waving a white cloth, but the fog and tht
gale prevented any communication. Mr.
White went further up the shore to lool
drifted ashore in that direction and Mrs
White remained near the wreck
Seeing a man struggling in tn
surf, she rushed in, drew hin
to ehore, and aided him in reaching he
dwelling. Returning, she discovere,
another sailor in the water, unconsciou
and helpless. This man she foated t
shore, and with much difficulty succeede,
in getting him to the house. Returnip
once more 6l0 saw b Lu1rQ sailor In In
breakers a long way out. Divesting her
selt of her heavier clothing she plunge
into the surf, was overthrown, but strue
l eled up again and succeeded in reaching th
, helpless man and floating him to th
. beach, where, after dragging him beyon
the danger line, she fell exhausted. Th
rescued men make oath that but for he
timely and courageous assistance two {
:. them must certainly have perished. Th
! official letter which accompanied the lif,
= saving medal closes with, these word
:. "Such achievements as these are usual
wrought only by strong men, and arc the
: Justly considered worthy of great prais
= Accomplished by q woman, they attain tt
+ highest degree Of heroism and are entitled
and command extraordinary admiration
> It is said that you have been accustome
@ to frequent the beach during dangerol
d weather in quest of such errands of mert
d as the misfortunes of the sea might lay
: your power. As signal evidence of tho
high moral qualities, unfailing courage, ar
3 q spirit of generous, self-sacriHce, witho
g which no person, man OF woman, cou