The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-08-08
ALMOST COST TWO LIVES.
How Miss Cert Put the Heroism of Capt.
Hobson, Cuban War Hero,
to the Test.

A pretty Illinois girls folly came
near causing her her life at the
Piazza Chautauqua, near East St. Louis.
ILL.,, quite recently. But for the strong
arms of Capt. Richmond Pearson Hob
son, the Cuban war hero. Miss May Cert
Of 1907 LaSalle street, East St. Louis,
would have drowned. She was standing
on the deck of river yacht when she
passed the naval officer swimming in the
water. She had met him before, and as
he smiled at her the girl called out ban
teringly:
IF I should fall in, Capt. Hobson,
would you rescue me?''
Il most certainly would,'' replied the
lieutenant.
The words had hardly left his mouth
when there was splash, and the girl
sank in the waters of the Mississippi.
For second only her skirts buoyed her
up. AS the white sailor hat worn by
the girl went under the water the crowds
on the banks of the river screamed with
fright.
Capt. Hobson realized the danger. He
saw the joke had been carried danger
ously far, and he started with long,
strong strokes for the spot where the
girl had sank. Albro Gilberson of Elsa,
ILL.,, his companion, swan with him.
To the terrified men and women OH
the deck of the yacht it seemed an age
before Hobson reached the spot where
the white sailor hat was seen last He
seemed to find no trace Of the girl there.
but shouts and gestures from the boat
informed him that she had drifted a few
yards down stream before sinking. Capt
Hobson turned with the tide and foated,
while he peered in the depths of the yell
low water for the form Of the girl.
Suddenly he dived and after a few
minutes he reappeared on the surface
with his arm grasping the shoulders of
the struggling girl.
Probably Capt. Hobson would not
have been able to save the young woman
without his friends assistance. AL
though he is a fine swimmer. the current
was strong, the girls garments were
very heavy and her struggling made it
almost impossible for him to make any
Roadway against the river.
1t was all the two men could do to
keep the girls head above water until
the yacht was finally brought so close
that those on board could assist in the
rescue.
Miss Cert was too weak to speak or
stand. when eager hands grasped her.
Both Capt. Hobson and his companion
were exhausted.
After vigorous pounding and the ad-
ministration Of restoratives Miss Cert
revived, very limp, but smiling. To one
Of her girl frienus sne said:
II know it was very foolish, but
knew / should be rescued"
Then she looked at Capt. Hobson.
who smiled rather grimiy as he leaned
against the deck rail. He congratulated
her on her narrow escape from death
and went into the cabin to put on his
f1annels.
Yesterday afternoon Capt. Hobson de-
livered lecture at the Piazza Chautau-
qua on a naval subject. and at its con-
clusion DR.. Jay \. Ford, in charge Of
the platform. delicately referred to the
kissing procl;vities Of the hero Of the
Merrimac. He said:
II now extend the invitation to the
audience to come up and shake hands:
with Capt. Hobson-shake5 hands, that's
A broad smile. and some tittering
passed over the assembly, and Capt
Hobson good-naturedly joined in the
smile. Afterward party of young
ladies who were invited. with the cap
tain on the yacht Camilla, discussed the
well, you can't get him to kiss you,''
said some one to Miss Cert. while the
officer and Mr. Gilbertson were in swim
ming: That banter came near costing
two lives