The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-13
CHIP SAVES
WOMAN IN BATHING
He Was Hero at ASbury Satur-
day Afternoon
HER NAME NOT GIVEN
Supposed to Be Pittsbure Woman of
Wealth-Wore Beautiful Bathing
Suit of Silk-chip Would
Not Talk.

a
saving a woman in a silk bathing suit.
That is the latest part of the diminutive
comedian, who has amused Birmingham
theatregoers a hundred time.
The role is real this time and there was
no stage acting about it. He had life
and death struggle with the waves rescu-
ing a woman much larger than he is.
Following is the story of the rescue at
Asbury Park Saturday as sent in a spe-
ciaI:
The most thrilling rescue of the sea-
son was made here this afternoon when
lady of fine but generous figure was
saved from certain death through the
courage and herolsm Of Little Chip. the
star of the Wonderland company, which
is now rehearsing for the coming season.
The lady who refused positively to give
her name had attracted considerable
notice by her ability as a swimmer. and
had gone far out beyond the breakers
where her strong strokes seemed to indi-
cate that she was perfectly at home in
the water So far out was this modern
Aphrodite that she was quite alone when
the watchers on the beach suddenly
noticed that she was making signals of
distress. The alarm was given but there
were no swimmers who had sufficient
confidence to go out so far for the making
of rescue.
Among the bathers was Little Chip"
well-known but diminutive actor, who
has made many friends both on account
of his personality and his professional
ability as a finn r11alxar NVhfIa this sfa
comedian is very short, and weighs only
80 pounds, he is of stocky build and an
all-round athlete The moment Little
Chip learned of the danger of the fair
bather he also hurried far out beyond
the breakers. At once he realizd that
tn lady was in great peril, and as he
forged his way toward her with strong,
steady strokes, he called to her that as
sstance was at hand. Eeven as he did
So 1t was evident that It was only with
the greatest difficulty that she was able
to keep above water.
While in reality 1t was only a few mo-
ments until Little Chip reached her side
to the waiting thousands on the beach
who watched and waited in the silence
that speaks of an agony Of suspense it
seemed an eternity. Just as they saw
the small figure of the rescuer reach the
large and handsome figure of the woman
In peril, great cheer broke the silence.
which rverberated to the very limits of
Ocan Grove.
New Dangers Attended Rescue.
But the dangers attending the rescue
seemed Just begun. To the watchers 1t
was evident that the dininutiv swim
mr. faced an awful proposition. for the
woman was more than twice his size,
as after the rescue she admitted to 220
pounds, while she refused to divulge her
name But the game rescuer was then
seen to change his direction and again
start for the shore. AS he did so, the
fair swimmer placed her hand upon his
shoulder and the long tow to the beach
was begun. 1t was then seen that
either because of the strong undertow or
for some other reason, the game rescuer
was making but a snails progress
against the terrible obstacles. Again sup
pressed groans rose from the thousands
of watchers Then, to add to the horrors
OF the situation, 1t was seen that the
woman, either through exhaustion or
hopelessness dropped her arm from the
shoulder of Little Chip. Ever one be-
lieved that her death was a crtaintly,
when the s9-pound athlete was seen to
again turn around reach for the woman
and grasp her by the hair. Again he be-
gan his brave struggle against fearful
odds. and while his progress was slow
and attended with awful agony of phys
ical effort, the terrible race with death
was continued until the bathers. making
a life line by holding hands, were able
to grasp the exhausted swimmer and his
burden, and the anxiety was over.
when the reseuer and the rescued
were brought upon the hard sands of the
beach, boths were unconscious from ex-
haustion although Little Chip soon re-
covered and insisted on hurryfng away
rather than receive the congratulations
and praise of the onlookers. modestly in
sistlng that any one would have done the
same thing, and that he happened to be
the nearest to the unfortunate swimmer.
He even refused to wait until the res
cued had recovered CONSCIOUSNESS, know
ing that she had been placed in good
hands
PIttsburg Society Women.
The lady is believed to be a prominent
member of the society set of Pittsburg
While she has only been here a few days,
she has magnificent suite of rooms at
one of the most. exclusive hotels, ret-
nue. of maids and servants and enjoys
a reputation as a clever motor driver and
whip, every morning finding her hand
ling d tandem with the skill of an ex-
pert After being .resusciated by means
of artificial respiration, she stated that
she had been seized with cramp and
had given up all hope when she saw some
one start to her rescue.
As he drew nearer" she said. II saw
that he was only a little boy and again
/ lost all hope. But small as he was,
he was one of the strongest swimmers
/ have ever seen and-well, all I want
TO know is his name and where l can
find him"
When told that 1t was Little Chip, she
said nothing, but it is believed that the