The Glenwood post., 1907-07-13
NEWPORT PAYS TRIBUTE TO TIE
WOMAN WHO HAS SAVED
EIGHTEEN LIVES.

Miss Ida Lewis, the Grace Darling
of America, as she is known, who has
lived fer fifty years at Lime Rock,
Lighthouse, OF this harbor, and has
for twenty-eight years been keeper of
,he beacon, celebrated lately her gold
IN anniversary as a resident of the
historic spot out on the waters.
Miss Lewis was sixty-eight years old
IN March last, but she is still alert in
body and mind. Practically all of
Newport took part in the celebration
of today, for tie people here are
proud of the brave woman who has to
her credit the saving of eighteen lives
from the sea. Not a few of these res
cues were made under circumstances
that called for both daring and clever
saamanship, and as result of her
courage and skill, under conditions that
would have tried the strongest heart,
her fame became worldwide.
Crafts of every description, laden
with admirers of the brave servant of
Uncle Sam, made their way to-day oat
to the light, where Miss Lewis kept
open house, cheerily receiving apl en-
tertaning her visitors. These whl
had not seen her for years were rs
tonishcd at her mental and physica
vigor, and it was predicted that tin
light would not soon lose its famous
keeper
The lighthouse. Which is known by
the Lighthouse board as one of the best
managed on tie coast, stands at the
south end of the harhor on n cluster
of big rocks. Tor twenty five years
Miss Lewis father was the keeper of
the light, but for seventeen years of
that time he was a paralytic, AMI his
laughter kept the light Eventually,
md through an act of congress, Miss
Lewis succeeded her father and was
lie only woman to hold such posi-
tion.
Lime Rock Lighthouse has had many
distinguished visitors, including Gen.
Ulysses S. Grant, Vice Frssi6c-t Col
'ax, Admiral Dewey and Gen. Sher-
man.
In the interior of the house, which
S wonderfully neat, are many medals
md trophies, among them silver
medal from the New York Life Saving
association for Tie rescue of two men
n the harbor in storm in March,
1850. There is a haad-paintcd flag,
1ieturirg the rescue, the gift of the
ate Col. "]im" Fislse, of New YORK,
Who established the FAN River line.
The citizens of Newport p res snted
Miss Lewis, in 1868, with a fine row
boat, the money for it being rlisel by
popular Subscriptions. Gen. Grant was
one of the subscribers. The day the
presentation was he'd there was
large parade. The boat was placed
on wheels, and with Mss Lewis sit
through the principal streets of the
city by thirty prominent citizens. The
procession marched to the ol / city hall,
front of which Miss Lewis held a
reception, and where she was present
d with n resolution of thanks from
state and city.
In recognition of her hcroism in
saving people from drowning, Miss
Lewis received purse from Major
General Hunt, formerly commanding
the garrison at Fort Adams; gall
medal in 1881 ly an act of congress,
for rescuing from drowning at least
thirteen people, and silver medal
rom the Massachusetts, Humane So
iety. Of the eighteen people Ida
Lcwis has saved, five We're troopers
from Fort Adams.
In the summer of 1859, four young
men, sons of prominent Newport sum
mer residents, were sailing a small
-atboat 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 row
ed to their rescue, and after much eff
fort saved them all.