The San Francisco call., 1904-12-22

Two heroes of the local Fire De-
partment who won distinction during
the last year in battle to save human
lives from the flames were decorated
yesterday with the Scannell medal as
reward for their bravery. August
Engelke and Claude Brownell were
the men thus honored, and, though
each was equally heroic, the fact that
Engelke risked his own life to save
a little child aroused greater sentiment
ia his favor and in addition 10 the
Scannell medal he was presented with
u gold badge by the California Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Chill
dren and a gold watch by Colonel A
Andrews, proprietor of the Diamond
Palace.
The presentation ceremony took
place in the grand rotunda of the City
Hall, in which a handsomely decorated
platform had been erected. Mayor
Schmitz presided and the families and
friends OF the firemen and those that
had been saved from death through
their bravery crowded the floors that
reach far up into the dome to applaud
his eloquent tribute to the men that
lad been summoned to accept reward
for the faithful performance of their
duty.
Prior TO the delivery of the address
by the Mayor a quartet, composed of
Michael and Fred Scanlan, James Z.
Donahue and Robert Davis. sang a
song dedicated to the Fire Department
heroes. especially TO those whose con-
spicuous acts OF bravery had won them
public recognition. The song con-
cluded. Mayor Schmitz rose and said:
WISHES OF SCANNEII.
We have gathered here to-day TO carry out
the wishes OF our late respected Chief scanneii
visec 5000 Ter the purchase OF a medal each
year, TO be conferred upon ths member OF the
department. excluding the Chief Engineer. that
shai be considered the most meritorious in
the performance Of his duty including gal
lantry and services in saving human life And
hereafter when we gather here Il will be to
stin further honor these brave men for / am
IN receipt OF letter IN which the news is
contained that Raphael Veil, public spirited
citizen OF this city has placed a check for
$1,000 in the hands OF the Fire Department with
instructions that II shall be invested. is
the bequest OF the late Chief Scsnnell. and
that from the income a medal. to be known
as the Sullivan medal" after our present
efficient chief. shall be purchased each year
for presentation 10 some hero Of the force or
/ have often thought OF -xhat it is that makes
the Fire Department OF San Francisco superior
TO that OF any other city on the globe but
that II is becaGse IL is made up OF men Of
courage and ability and because its chieftain
Mr. sullivan. not onis noids tne respect ana
love q his men. brt because. in addition he
holds the respect and love and has the sup
port Of every citizen OF san Francisco he
never orders his men to precede him into
places Of danger; he always tells them to fol-
low linn and he will show them the way
And LIS courageous spirit inspires every man
Of the deDartment and such men cannot fail
TO distinguish the branch Of municipal service
they represent
But / now want to call upon Claude Brown
eli. driver Of engine company IL. to step for
ward that may present to him the Scannell
medal which always stands for bravery. but
before placing II in his hands / want to tell
Won Of his act that has won for him this dis
tiuction.
rrownefl drove with his engine up TO the
Ore which was in the LAnwood Hotel at IS
Mason street and quickly discovered a man
cifnRinR 70 the window ledge Of fifth story
WINDOW on the side Of the building. To jump
would have been certain death and IL was
impossible for him 10 70 back into the room
OF account Of fire there. The window being
situated On the side Of the building he could
not be reached hy a fire escape and the carry
tnr OF a ladder TO the roof OF the adjoining
low building and thence 20 the window would
have taken considerable valuable time 10 exc
cute.
Br0wnel the instant sized up the situa-