The Savannah morning news., 1903-08-27
TO REWARD BRAVERY
MEDALS FOR FIREMEN WHO
RIsKED THEIR LIVES.
SUBSCRIPTION
STARTED.
ALDERMAN DAVANT THINKS PUB
Lie SHOULD COMMEND FIRE
FIGHTERS.


duet of Lady, Duffy and Founder
and Starts Subscription List With
$5-Wants Committee to Purchase
Properly Inscribed MedaIs-Acting
Mayor Dixon Gives 30 to Fund.
Letter Commencing the Fearless
Fire Fighters Sent Them by Act
ing MnyOr-City May Buy Medals
for MeritOriOus Service Next Yenr.
ut is seldom that we hear of such
bravery as was displayed Tuesday att
ernoon by Firenen John Lady, Tom
Founder and John Duffy, and / feel
that the men should be rewarded"
In this manner last night Alderman
r. ]. Davant. a member of the Fire
Committee of Council, began a SUBJ
scription list for the three firemen, the
amount secured to be expended for
medals for the men. The first SUBJ
scription, IS, has been placed in the
keeping of the Morning News, and fur
Their subscriptions will be acknowl-
edged.
When Acting Mayor Dixon read in
the Morning News of the fearlessness
of the three fire fighters, he determined
to write them a letter commencing
them for their bravery Later the
Mayors secretary was instructed to adj
dress letter to the men. When the
Acting Mayor learned that a subscrip-
ton list had been started for the pur-
pose of securing medals for the fire
fighters he subscribed S.. 1t is believed
that a considerable amount will be
realized, and that three handsome gold
medals can be purchased.
Il was thrilled when I read of the
daring act of Fireman Lady, crawling
on the side of tossing engine, and the
fearlessness of Firemen Duffy and
Founder in clinging to the wild fire
horses, until they were thrown to the
asphalt by the collision with the coup
ling wagon at Houston street." said
Alderman Davant. in discussing the
sensational climb of Lady on rocking
engine almost upon the summit of
steep hill. The act of Fireman Lady
was particularly brave, and he saved
the taxpayers one of the best engines
IN the department and three valua Die
horses, at the risk of his life.
should Be Rewarded.
Il feel that the citizens of Savannah,
the taxpayers, should say to these
three men we appreciate what you
have done and you shall be rewarded
for your faithfulnesS. You have risk
ed your lives and one of you has sac
rificed two fingers; you shall have no
cause to regret your meritorious con-
-, D.. i e
full, to the last. They held to the
pluhging horses until they were hurled
to the asphalt, Duffy under the feet of
one of the animals. Ladys act was
more daring, and a man with less
nerve would have lost his life. He is
deserving Of special consideration.
Il suggest that the money SUBJ
scribed be turned over to a commit
tee to be, named by the Mayor, and
that this committee be instructed to
purchase, suitable medals, or other
marks of honor, to be properly in
scribed, and that they be presented to
the firemen as gifts from the citizens
of Savannah. 1t would mean much to
these men, coming as it would directly
from the pockets of the people. 1t is
not often that we have an opportunity
to reward such bravery, and this OPP
portunity should not go by UNDECIDED"
The conduct of the three firemen
was generally discussed during the
day, and their escape was marveled at.
Fire Chief Mcguire made a verbal re-
port of the runaway to Acting May
| or Dixon and was unstinted in his
| praise of the men. He will file a writ
| ten report this morning in which Lady,
| Duffy and Founder will be commend
| ed. 1t is probable that this report
| will be read at the next session of
City Council, and that some formal
action will be taken. Acting Mayor
Dixon says that he will formally call
the attention of the aldermen to the
fire chiefs report.
Medals for Bravery.
1t seems likely that special appro-
priation will be made next year for
| the purchasing of medals to be award
| ed to members of the police and fire
| departments when the occasion de-
mands it. Acting Mayor Dixon favors
| such a plan and those aldermen who
were spoken to on the subject think
the idea a good one. There would be
medals for meritorious service, to be
worn a year, and medals for saving
| life, to be given to firemen or patrol
men who might earn them by extra
| hazardous conduct. Such medals are
| purchased for members of the police
| and fire departments in other cities.
Fireman Duffy is confined to his
home and is suffering considerable
| from his cuts and bruises. The loss
of the two fingers has caused his left
hand to swell badly. Fireman Poun-
| der was not incapacitated, although he
| was hrIIiSod