The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-05-16
COMMISSION
AWARDS MEDALS
TwENTY.oNe MEDALS GIVEN BY
CARNEGIE HERO COMMISSION
FOR ACTS OF HeRolsM.

PiTTSBURG, May l6.-Twenty.onc
Carnegie hero medals, carrying with
them $27,259 In cash, the largest
amount ever given, we're awarded yes.
terday afternoon by the Carnegie Hero
Fund commission for bravery. One
Of the recipients was a woman. y
As the result Of the fire which dc,
stroyed the Chi Psi fraternity house
ut Cornell university, Ithica, N. Y.
December 7, 1906, three silver medals
we're awarded, one being TO Henry NJ.
Curry, Jr., of lGS IIomewood avenue,
Plttsbarg, for assisting In the rescue
Of James McCutcheon, H., also Of Pitts.
burg. The rescue Of McCutchcon. who
afterward died, was most thrilling
When the fire was discovered &c stu,
dents were asleep In the fraternity
house.
Clarence J. Pope, aged 20, OF East
Orange, n. j., after escaping from his
burning room, broke open the windows
In McCutcheon's room, Although bad.
ly burned, he made three attempts tc
save him, the third time wrapping his
arms about McCrutcheon's legs. While
trying TO pull him through the window
Pope lost his grasp and fell back.
ward over the balcony 10 the ground.
He was awarded a silver medal.
Young curry's Bravery.
Henry NJ. Carry, Ir, aged 81, Of
Pfttsburg, attempted to save Nc.
Cdtcheon after Pope had fallen from
ihe balcony. He dragged McCHtcheon
through the window to the balcony
and cried for help. Ladders were rails
cd and Curry descended after being
assured that McCutcheon would he
taken down. This was successfully
accomplished. but McCutcheon died n
few hours later. He was awarded 4
silver medal.
Oliver L. SchmHck. aged 90, of Han.
over, Pa, attempted to save his rooGi,
mate. William H. Nichols. aged 20, OF
Chicago. Schmuck got out safely, but
returned for Nichols. Failing to find
him, he went to window and jumped.
He died six hours later. a silver med
al was awarded to his father.
Eight members Of the fishing schoon.
er Elsie, who battlei against heavy
sea TO rescue victims OF the steam
boat Larchmont, were awarded gold
medals. ...
The f.archmont, en- route from Prov.
!dence, R. l., TO New York, with .175
passengers abroad, coiiided with the
schooner Harry T. Knowiton on Febru.
ary II, 1907, three miles southeast Of
Watch Hill Il, I. The weather being
too severe, the crew OF the schooner
Elsie were about to return home when
they learned Of the disaster. Putting
out, the men encountered a heavy sea.
The mercury was two above zero, and
the decks OF the small schooner we're
covered with Ice. Failing to reach a
piece OF wreekage with Is persons
aboard. two small dorles were put of.
each boat manned by two men. With
the waves breaking 20 feet high, the
boats were almost swamped but q.
nally reached The rare OF the victims.
Two women and eight men were
rescued, the other seven on the raft
being frozen to death. Much difficulty
was experienced In getting the dories
back to the schooner in the heavy sea.
Members OF the crew awarded are:
Seven Heroes In One Family.
John W. Smith, aged 5s, of Bloc,;
Island, R. l., captain Of the Elsie; gold
medal and $4,000 for the education OF
his two sons. .5
Albert W. Smith, aged As, of Blocl;
Island, R, l., brother Of the captain
gold medal and $4,000 for the educa,
ton OF his two daughters.
George E, Smith, aged 81, brother
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