The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-08-20
LIGHTHOUSE HERoINE.
NS~port's Tribute 70 Miss Ida Lswla
Who Saved Eighteen Lives.

NSWPorGs tribute 20 Miss loa IesStos
Who Saved Eighteen Lives.
Miss Ida Lewis, the Grace Darling Of
America, as she is known, who has
lived for fifty years at Lime Rock light
1ouse, or Newport, and has for twenty
eight years been keeper OF the beacon.
recently celebrated her golden ami
versary as a resident Of the historic
spot out on the waters, says a New
port special to the New York World.
Miss Lewis was sixty-eight years old
In March last, but she Is stlll alert In
body and mind. Practically all Of
Newport took part In the celebration,
for the Newport people are proud of
the brave woman who has to her credit
the saving Of eighteen lives from the
sea- Not a few Of these rescues were
made under circumstances that called
for both daring and clever seamanship,
and as a result of her courage and skin,
under conditions that would have tried
the strongest heart, her fame became
worldwide.
Craft Of every description, laden with
admirers Of the brave servant Of Uncle
Sam, made their way out to the
light, where Miss Lewis kept open
house, cheerily receiving and entertain
ing her visitors.
The lighthouse, which Is known by
the lighthouse board as one OF the best
managed on the coast, stands at tho
south end Of the harbor on a cluster Of
big rocks. For twenty-five years Miss
Lewis father was the keeper Of the
light, but for seventeen years Of that
time he was paralytic, and his daugh-
ter kept the light Eventually and
through an act Of congress, Miss Lewis
succeeded her father and was the only
woman to hold such a position.
In the interior of the house, which
is wonderfully neat, are many medals
and trophies, among them a silver
medal from the New York Life Saw
ing association for the rescue Of two
men In the hsrbor in a storm in
March, 1869. There is a hand painted
dag picturfng the rescue, the gift Of
the late Colonel jim Fiske Of New
York, who established the Fan River
line.
The citizens Of Newport presented
Miss Lewis in 1868 with a fine row.
boat, the money for 1t being raised by
popular subscriptions. General Grant
was one of the subscribers. The day
the presentation was held there was a
! large parade. The boat was placed on
wheels and, with Miss Lewis sitting
on one of the thwarts, was drawn
through the principal streets Of New
port by thirty prominent citizens. The
procession marched to the old city
hall, in front of which Miss Lewis held
reception and where she was pre-
scented with a resolution Of thanks
from state and city.
In recognition OF her heroism in saw
ing people from drowning Miss Lewis
received a purse from Major General
Hunt, formerly commanding the gar
rison at Fort Adams, gold medal In
1881 by an act Of congress for rescu-
ing from drowning at least thirteen
people and a silver medal from the
Massachusetts Humane society. OF
the eighteen people Ida Lewis has
saved five were troopers from Fort
| Adams.
In the summer of 1859 four young
men, sons of prominent Newport sum
mer residents, were sailing a small
catboat just after dark. One Of their
number climbed to the top Of the
mast and started rocking the boat,
which finally capsized. The cries Of
the men were heard by Miss Lewis,
who rowed to their rescue and, after
much effort, saved them all.