The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-31
MEDALS AT LAST
Freeman Sardou and Sons Rec
ognized for Flood Work.
Brought to Court House and
Presentation Made.
MR.. HAGAN'S SPEECH.
Heroic Deeds Performed by
Father and Sons.
Charles Sardou Sick at Hume
With Typhoid.
MR.. HAGAN'S SPEECH.

poena was served by Undersherin
Belts.
Il don't know why I should be
summoned before a court" said Sar-
dou, land I demand my fees
You will receive your fees all
| right" said Belts.
The subpoena read for the three
Sardous to appear in the probate
court Monday afternoon. Monday
afternoon the matter was adjourned
until Tuesday afternoon at 1880
O'Clock. Sardou spoke to a lawyer
about it. He wondered why he was
summoned. The lawyer told him he
must obey the summons.
This afternoon Freeman and George
SardOu appeared in the court room.
/ Charles Sardou IS sick with typhoid
fever George Sardou had the fever,
and has been out of bed only two
At 1:30 o'clock court was informally
opened. Freeman Sardou wondered
why all the court house officers We're
/ following him into the court room. He
said nothing but he looked inquiringly
about.
Eugene Hagan stepped in front of him.
Mr.. Sardou," he said, yesterday vas
the anniversary of 1ite Kansas floods
one year ago our people witnessed one
of the most appalling sights ever seen
/ by mortal man. Before our citizens
could realize our condition or our peril
death and destruction to everything in
its path. A large number of the in
habitants OF North Topeka were sur
rounded by water on the north and ON
the south, ana were unable to make
their escape. Some were driven 10 the
roofs of houses, some climbed trees,
some grappled obstacles to prevent
them from immediate death, and many
of them were instantly drowned.
THE citizens of South Topeka living
upon the elevations We're terror strick-
en- when they witnessed the awful
sight. The cold wind blew from the
north, the rains came down in torrents
and the awful river grew worse and
worse every hour. and in the midst of
it could be heard the heart rendering
appeals of those in peril for help.
Those who heard these cries will never
forget them. Thousands stood upon the
banks of the river in tears. and with
aching hearts, and could only extend
sympathy for those in peril
ITO attempt a rescue meant almost
certain death, and the thousands of
people who stood on the banks of the
river felt helpless and unable to render
/ any assistance. The awful sight of the
wild. mad and destructive waters
struck such terror to every man that
he felt absolutely helpless, whatever his
disposition might have been.
But when the emergency arose, a
man was found-one brave, quiet,
manly man, who heard the appeal for
help from those across the water. He
4
weigh in the balance his own life, but
/ with firm step, and his jaws set he
pushed his frail little boat off from
4 the shore with the determination to
make the attempt to rescue. Those
who saw him could not help but feel,
as he must have felt, that he was go
4 ing to certain death, but that did not
deter him, because he heard the call
for help on the other shore. The trip,
after a hard struggle, was made, and
soon the little boat returned contain
ing some of the unfortunate ones who
I had been appealing for help.
Trips We're made again and again,
and by the side of this man, none the
/ less brave and adventurous were his
4 two sons. From the experience gained
on these trips, locating the dangerous
channels others were enabled to join
the rescue party. This man was the
modest, but brave, Freeman Sardou.
who was assisted by his two sons.
And 50, Mr.. Sardou, upon this the
anniversary of our great floods, have
/ been requested by some of your neigh
bors and friends, who have known you
and respected you as a citizen in pri-
vate life, and who saw you on this day
of peril offer to lay down your life
4 for your fellowman to present to you
a little token of their love and admira-
ton. 1t carries with it the lasting re-
Spect and honor of your fellowman and
/ the gratitude of those you helped to
save.
THE people of our state have al
ways been of the heroic type, and ad-
mire that quality in their fellow-man.
1t began in the territorial struggle for
! the freedom of the slaves. 1t appeared
again in the war of the rebellion; it
4 was seen in the Spanish-American
war, when the Kansas soldiers led all
others. 1t was recorded again when
Kansas boy planted the American flag
upon the walls of Pekin. But after
| all of us have passed away, and the
/ coming generation shall examine the
history of our state, they will find
one page in that history which con-
tains an account of your perilous
| struggle to save tn elves of your fell
low-men. 1t will be held the bravest
act and the most heroic of them all.
I'VE do not wish to be understood
! as detracting from the credit due to a
i the rescue work, and who shared the
/ hardships and dangers with you.
Every one of them is entitled to a
place on the roll of honor, and should
for all time to come command the re-
spect of their fellowman. But a spe-
cial tribute is due to the man who set
the pace and led the way
Mr. Hagan then handed to Freeman
Sardou a handsome gold medal and
to George Sardou another, and a
third to be delivered to the sick
brother.
Freeman Sardou was as cool as when
he rowed his boat across the swiftly
running current of the flood.
Gentlemen said Freeman Sardou.
Il can only say that accept this with
thanks. All I can say is that L am
thankful to you and all others. I did
no more tan any other man did OF
would have done under the same cOndi-
lions. I know many who did the res
| cue work a greater risk than 1. I am
used to the water. 1t was nothing fOl
me to do, but for those who We're not
used to it and who took greater risks
than I, more credit is due. am thank
full to you and to the citizens of To
! peza and to my friends. Freeman Sar-
: dou always is.