The herald., 1894-05-10
A Los ANGELES HERO.
A Handsome Com plimsnt Paid to a
Former Resident OF This CITY.

H AAoaOceAAo yum pAamonb E6l0 70 y
Former Resident OF This CITY.
Unde. the heading OF A Hero OF the
Los Angeles, correspondent OF the
San Francisco Examiner of May 9Th
writes as follows. Mr.. w. E. Howell
was resident of this city for about four
years, but has been travelling in the
east for some time paat. His son has
been for abou t half year in the employ
of the HERALD:
To the Editor of the Examiner:
SIR:--l was passenger, with my wife
and 5-months-old babe, on the ill-fated
eteamer Los Angeles, which was loet off
Point Sur on the night of the 22d inst,
and might not be here now to make this
communication had it not been for the
level, cool head and courage of gentle
man passenger, whose name ! did not
(and doubt il any on the ship did
know, but which have quite recently
ascertained. That gentleman is VIM E..
Howell of Los Angeles, newspaper
man, | am told. Had there been more
possessed with the GOODNESS and worked
as calmly and effectually as Mr.. Howell
did all the time the results OF that wreck
would have been different and those
who are now gone (or aome at least)
would be here to rejoice at their deliv-
erance from watery grave. Whea all
was confusion Mr.. Howell was working
quickly and quietly among the passen-
gers, allaying their fears, placing life
preservers on ladies and old men and
men who were paralyzsd with fear and
not able to help themselves. l don't
know what / should have done without
his noble aid. My wife tainted dead
away and fell prone on the deck. The
roommate of Mr.. Howell. Mr.. Tunna-
son, picked her up, and Mr.. Howell ran
to his stateroom for water, bathed
her face and resuscitated her.
Then he adjusted life preservers
on her and also on me, for l had my
child in my arms, and was powerless
TO help myself or my wife. Then he
stationed us forward OF the cabin and
said: Remain here until l come for
you." During all this time the ship was
laboring hard on the rocks, women
screaming and children crying, men,
passengers and crew running back and
forward, apparently bereft of all reason.
Soon our deliverer came hurriedly, say
ing: "Quick quick Now is your
chancs," helping my wife over the side
of the ship into the boat. passed down
our baby and hastily climbed down to
join them. Our boat pushed off, and a
prayer went up from my heart, God
spare that man." During that long
dresry night, until the morning, we
were in that open boat, not knowing at
what moment we might be swamped.
When the Eureka picked ua up was
happy to see our friend Mr.. Howell,
who had been taken aboard during the
night from raft. | understood he
stayed on the ship till all the boats were
full and then took to a raft. He WAS
even then, although in the weakest con-
dition, working among the exhausted
lady passengers, getting bedding to kesp
them warm and hot stimulants to revive
them back to life.
Now, Mr.. Editor, want you to pub
lish this communication. l am loud in
the praise OF such noble, disinterested
unselishness shown in the hour of peril
with death standing at the door. [ am
farmer, living at Springville, and am
visiting my wife's parents here in Gill
roy, | have drawn this tribute to Mr..
Howell very mildly, but truthiully, and
l do it that his friends may know some
thing OF his manliness, courage and
sympathy with others in the hour of
distrese. Yours truly,
II. S. WOODRUFF.
Gilroy, CAL, April Both.