New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-19
MED4L FOR HEROISM.
S. Z. {. {. Honors Girl Uho SaUed
lSiE .SI0cum Children.

Without detracting in the slightest from what
others have done. the Society for the Prevention OF
Cruelty 10 Children has thought it right TO confer
This medal u honor upon you Pauline Puetz be-
cause. scarcely more than a child yourself, your
efforts IN the face Of mortal danger. resulted in
the rescue Of To less than six helpless children
from cruel death 10y thu dreadful catastrophe
which befell this city and nation IN the destruc-
ton Of the General Slocgm Oh June Is last.
With such innate strength and nobility OF
character. the future should have much in
Tor you Your parents are TO be- congratulated on
the possession Of such daughter. and the com
muniJy has the best reasons Tor being proud OF
you"
With these words. Superintendent I. Eel
lows jenkins, on behalf Of John D. Lindsay. presi-
dent Of the Society for the Prevention Of Cruelty
10 Children, handed The slender young girl be
side him a beautiful gold medal and copy Of the
address, framed heavily IL black The presenta-
ton took place yesterday afternoon Al the rooms
OF the society.
Gentle. grlIsh modest almost shy, in her fresh
blue and white muslin, with elbow sleeves. q neck
lace OF blue beads around her neck her hair
waved and or top Of il a brown straw poke hat
Pauline PueJz looked very little like the typical
life saver Yet those who followed the story OF
the General Slocum from day 10 day viii not
need 10 be reminded OF her Of splendid hero
ism, which were told al length II The Tribune
Born in Germany eighteen years ago she emf
grated with her parents 10 this country. and
the time OF the burning Of the General Slocum
had been employed about two months as waitress
70 The medical staff on North Brother Island. She
vas busy in the kitchen when she heard the ISL
and IRE alarm ring, and out the sea wall.
In spite OF the attempts OF the others 10 dissuade
her. she pulled off her shoes and skirts and swan
out 70 the steamer. A woman stood on the upper
deck near the paddlebox, holding her child in her
arms.
Throw him 70 me. I'll catch him. cried The
Eir
The mother obeyed. but IL her agitation threw
II into the paddlewheel. which was still revolving
and which carried il down under the churning
waters. Supporting herself by one hand Pauline
reached down with the other and caught the boy
out O. the water. then SWAN with MIN TO shore
There sac discovered that the little fellow jaw
had been broken, prooa bly, by the revolutions Of
the pa5dlewheeL His LETT cheek fearfuliy dis
tended. and blood was flowing from his mouth. so
swiftly she carried him 10 one Of the doctors
rooms. ana, laying him across the bed, set the
Jaw. thea gave him into the keeping Of a nurse
and started back 10 the wreck
she next rescued an infant holding tie
child's frock between her teeth as she swan.
Again she went back. TINS time to save q girl OF
fourteen or fifteen who was struggling keep
ahoar Again and again she swan back. till she
had saved the lives of six children. Not content.
however. she once more spranE into the water and
was reaching ont for little baby when woman
VINO was floating the water apparently dead,
threw her around her neck and drew her
down in death grip They had sunk together
Ike grasp OF the dying woman-and then the
world became a blank 10 Pauline PlIetz until she
found herself lying on the grass near the scarlet
fever pavilion. Although quite weak and faint
from her terrible exertions and blstered from the
intense heat Of the burning vessel she visited the
children she had brought ashore 10 see that they
were receiving medical attendance and assisted in
saving I'VE women BY means o. rope
Pauline was not alone yesterday With her was
,sr mother sad faced woman all in white
NAT 1f3aTr lsa
CIR however. vas little Louis Weis, the child who
mother and who owes his lie ~ +be fset that
Pauline Puetz pulled him The child is three
sailer suit with white braid trimmings His pretty
and ear a Is Ss Inuen misshapen but he can speak
@lth MN We're his elder brother John, with his
q the sIocun Louis Weis lost his 4e r,ofer fn
belonging 10 Mr. sn5 ND No MS tiny nephew baby
,,ls "a u.sf, died six months ago To-day To1n
four brothers No 582 East F!ftbI IulS ana MS
one 30 49, Jl.e siiplsst sort OF presentation. No
yI S1s I1els from the hospital North Brother
ttslan9. and or the six children for whom Pauline
= tried 70 ger he he o gy Louis VETS was there
oGt al THIS time OF year everybody seemed 70 De
speesshmaking is not much in Pauline Puetz.s
Inc she Is q gil OF actions, not words N-he11 n
audible Was ha'diy
7 didn't expect anything for what did" she
s5 s.is AT the moment Of The accident the little
strafcSed waittng fo4 Tsl Win their arms out
're Re h :. mn tns thank g1 you very much
1racred in ner heroic hght with the waters OF the
EasG River.
. We read all the accounts Of the General Socurn
disaster and interviewed all the doctors and nurses
and after verifying all The facts and sitting tha
testimony we concluded that Miss PuetZ was OF an
me women who helped az that fearful time the
one best entitled 70 the society's medal Others
~aaee out or stood on the sea wall or beach. and
prHea the victims H. She swan out. not once
nnt repe9t eciy, and her heroisrn IN saving Louis
Weis and setting his Jaw. and in swimming IN
WIFE that baby. holding its dress her teeth was
beyond al praise This Is the first gold rneds1
tTiesented in connection with the General slocum
q ~ va m NV nth
3 public official We shall submit a statement OF
ne facts 10 the Secretary Of the Treasury and
J9pe that II VIII make Miss Pueiz eligible for one
- the Treasury gold medals
aAline Puetz is living with her parents. Mr. and
SIS Gotfrted Puetz OF No 336 East Forterh-st
&C LEFT North Brother Island about a month ago
oas SAID she had received no letters containing