Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1894-07-21
MEDALS FOR L1FE.sAvEns.
Heroism 10 bo Recognized by special
Act of COngross.

Act of Congress.
For deeds of great heroism and
bravery and perilous struggles dur
ing long-endured battles with tenn
pests and turbulent sea nine Ameri-
can life savers are to be permitted by
special act of Congress to accept
medals of honor and diplomas award
ed to them by the government oil
Spain in recognition of their gallant
rescue of the crew of the Spanish
steamship San Albano," wrecked on
the outer shoals of Hog Island, OIL
the eastern shore of old Virginia.
These nine American worthless, as
named in the act of Congress, are
"John E. Johnson, keeper of the life
saving station at Hog Island, Va
and J. A. Doughty, j. K. Carpenter
William B. Gofligon, j. H. DeWald,
C. F. Carpenter, j. E. Smith, j. r..
Dunton, and r. G. Joynes, members
of the life-saving crew at that sta
tom
For their grand work they received
at the time feeling testimonial from
the twenty-six Spaniards whose lives
they saved. the letter expressing the
deepest possible gratitude, and clos
ing with the request, "allow us to
kiss your hand
These nine life savers have already
received from our government life
saving medals of honor. But 1t is
suggested that this occasion is be-
yond the ordinary, and for this rea-
son and also for the sake of encour-
aging emulation of the heroic efforts
and meritorious services performed
there should be some fitting demon
stration, some ceremonial suitable to
the Importance of the event. 1t
ought to have attention and consid-
Grafton commensurate with its i'm
portance.
A member of the Senate, to whom
was mentioned this subject of max
ing appropriate demonstration at
the time these medals from Spain are
presented to the Hog Island life
savers was very emphatic in his ell
dorsement OF the idea, and he ex-
pressed the opinion that but for the
rather anomalous course which, I'M
der the rules, this bill had to take in
Congress, it would have found be-
fore this some active champions OF
Just such official ceremonial in con
nection with the presentation OF
these medals of honor and diplomas
as would properly mark the occasion
and.give it such prominent and
lasting place in the official records of
this important service as would make
these acts Of heroism stand out in
their true light to be emulated by
the good men now in the service and
those who will follow after them.
"Why is it," the Senator asked,
that there has not yet appeared in
Congress worthy successor to Sun
set Cox as the champion of this
grand, unequaled life saving service
of ours? And why wouldn't 1t be a
very proper thing" the Senator con-
tinued, "for the President Of the
United States to further dignity this
occasion by himself presenting those
medals? Mr.. Cleveland likes Hog Is
land has had two pleasant visits there,
knows the very men to whom these
medals of honor are to be given, and
it does seem as if he might easily and
agreeably arrange to kill two birds,
etc. President Cleveland might go
over to the island, after Congress adj
journs, and again indulge his sport
i've desire to kill some of the rare
game birds which will be so plentiful
in that vicinity about the middle of
August, and, incidentally, but with
due formality, he might do the hand
some thing by those gallant
fellows. If the Presidents intimate
friend and travelling companion,
Fighting Bob Evans, would under
take to manage this affair it would
be successful and creditable per-
formance Washington Post, 18th.