Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-07-25
How Fairbanks Saved the Lady.


n. Y. Sum EdltoraD
AS usually in the case OF a deed so
shining as to dazzle the eyes OF con-
temporaries, there Is some Discrepancy
in the accounts of Vice President Fair
banks rescue of young woman
from "a watery grave" in Yellowstone
lake, Yellowstone Park, Wyo.
Mr.. Fairbanks heard "a piercing
Shrek" that we may take for grant
ed These shrieks always pierce. but
they are not essentially different from
"a Wild scream of agony" and 'one
last despairing cry" "A low, sobbing
wall OF distress" might seem out of
place. Surely lady with wet feet
when the narrow plank between her
and watery grave have tipped over
will not be SO ill-advised as TO give
way to low wall, accompanied with
and made inarticulaA by sob.
Here let us remember that, in the
language of no mean psychologist
women is rum creeturs;" also that
from long, patient practice In ground
work MIR. Fairbanks ears are singu-
larly sensitive to faint vibrations
Mr.. Fairbanks was on the pier. He
was looking over the mountains that
encircle the lake There was With him
one friend, the hotel keeper certainly
a fat and prosperous man. The two
friends were with him. He was alone.
He was the center of a brilliant COM
pany The pier is half mile or
quarter of a mile long. 1t is several
rods long. 1t is long enough If 1t is
a quarter as long as Buttermilk Char
ley.
At any rate, he alone, or he and the
fat hotel man and the other man or
men, heard the piercing Shrek either
directly or by long distance telephone.
He or they started at mad pace TOR
the water.
Mr.. Fairbanks "doffed his clothes
as he ran. He took of his coat and
hat" He "shed his garments as he
sprinted'' He kept a newspaper IN
his hand in his agitation" Nonsense!
He was not agitated He was as cool
as a cucumber on ice. He didn't stop
to shed his garments. The life-saving
service is no dressing and undressing
room.
Mr.. Fairbanks lghtened along that
pier Observers say that fire flew
from his feet His white tennis shoes
were calcined before he reached the
end of the pier. There, posing all his
faculties for one tremendous effort, he
dove madly into the lake.
How deep was the water? Some au-
thorities say six feet; some say eight
feet; some say thirty feet. No man of
science will accept an inch less than
the last number Diving headlong, Mr..
Fairbanks would run aground in less.
Now, putting and late, the hotel
keeper is carried by his own momen-
tum and involuntarily into the lake.
There he creates, after an immense
temporary suction and whirlpool, a
mighty insurgent wave that sweeps
the lady and the hero safe to shore.
"Oh, madam, l trust you have suf-
fered no Inconvenience from your Ia
custrine BATH" said the hero, dripping,
but glorious Persins in multi and
come to years of discretion. "Sir, you
are too good. My feet are soaked, and
I'm sure to get rheumatism, but I
thank you all the same
Hand in hand, the rescuer and the
rescued walked back to the hotel.
There was not a dry eye among the
spectators of a dry rag on the vice
president. Some stories say that he
carried the lady in his arms This,
however, romantic and welcome we
must sternly reject.
Save me, save me, but don't spoii
my clothes" had been the passionate
adjunction of Andromeda. Mr.. Fair
banks as born leader must lead, but
he is far too keen and fleet a racer to
carry extra weight.
BY unanimous vote of the hotel
guests the trustees of the Carnegie
medal fund were asked to bestow
medal upon Mr.. Fairbanks. Is there
in all these United States one soul so
jaundiced. one heart SO envy bitten. as
not to Join in that request?
Superb Service, Splendid Scenery
en- route to Niagara Falls, Muskoka and
Kawartha Lakes, Georgian Bay and
Temagami Region, st. Lawrence River
and Rapids, Thousand Islands, Algon-
x,,;. N-,+;opal Parl, White Maintains