The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-17
CONTINUED from Page onel


crew the lives OF eight OF the Larchmont
victims were saved. were draped across
the big pipe organ Immediately back OF
the church altar. The pennant was OF
nshtail shape, the middle section of red.
with a narrow stripe OF white near the
top and bottom another stripe Of blue,
with stars on the edges. Across this the
name "Blsie' appeared in large black let
ters.
The crew Of the Elsie comprises Capt.
John w Smith. master Of the schooner;
Albert w. Smith and George Il. Smith,
brothers OF the captain; Harry l.. Smith,
Earl A. Smith and Louis ~. Smith,
nephews Of the captain; jeremiah Nj.
LAttlefeld. brother in law Of the captain.
and Edgar Littleheld. a brother of Jere-
miah. Earl Smith was absent, having
been detained in New York.
Representative Ray q. Lewis presided
at the exercises and welcomed the auGi-
ence.
General Treasurer Walter A. Read was
introduced and said In part:
I'm the course OF great events II is
the custom Of men TO congregate In com
mon to pay tribute TO those who have
made great sacrifices and have performed
heroic deeds I'm saving life. II is fitting
that we should thus meet TO recognize
the heroic service OF men. who. through
great hardship. showed bravery and gal
the helpless men, women and children,
the victim sof the terrible Larchmont
disaster The United States Volunteer
Life Saving Corps takes this occasion TO
show its apprecia iation Of your bravery and
has had these medals prepared for these
brave fishermen. AS each mans name is
called he will please step forward.
To Capt. Smith and the members OF the
Elsie's crew were then presented the sill
yer medals on behalf of the Volunteer
corps and honorary certificates were given
10 Arthur Sheffield, Elam Il. Llttleneld,
John sheffield Samuel Hayes. Edward
Henry, DR.. f. w. LArrabee and Charles
/ Littleheld for their volunteer work.
Framed certificates OF honor were also
! presented TO the schooners which partici-
! pated in the search of the waters OF the
( Sound for bodies of the living or the
| dead. To the following vessels was given
! one of these TO be hung in the cabin;
! Schooners Elsie, w. T. Dodge, +. Ia.
Smeed, Clara E. Little Fred and the sloop
| Theresa.
Instrumental music was then given bs
a trio comprising Miss Alice Ball of Block
/ Island pianist; Cornelius Carroll of Paw
/ tucket, violinist, and Fred l.. Presbrey
OF Providence cornet. They rendered
several other selections.
JUDGE PALMER'S TRIBUTE.
Judge Henry A. Palmer was called upon
10 speak on behalf of the general assem-
bly, of Rhode Island. He said:
1T is particularly fitting OH an occa-
sion like this that the exercises should
take place in a house dedicated to the
honor and glory OF the Master Mariner
who guides the destiny of each and every
one and who when appealed to, is ever
ready to assist those who arc i'm need.
1--WE are gathered here tonight. from
all quarters of this little state. to pay
tribute and render homage and to place
the wreath of heroism on the brow Of
those brave men, who at the risk OF tneis
own lives, on that eventful night, Feb.
II. rescued eight souls from the very
Jaws OF death
1T is TO these men that the general as
sembly passed its vote Of thanks, realiz-
ing at the time that they typified the
brave good souls of this sea-girt isle.
| SECRETARY OF STATE BENNETT.
Charles p. Bennett, secretary of state.
| expressed the vote of thanks of the gem
eral assembly, and spoke In part as fol-
| lows:
1T affords me great pleasure TO be
present with you all this evening and
esteem il special honor to be here In
my official capacity to present to your
4 brave fellow townsmen an expression of
| the esteem IN which they are held by the
general assembly, representing the peo-
| pie of the state, for their heroic deeds In
|
of the unfortunate passengers of the ILL
| fated steamer Larchmont
| "It is my privilege To present these res
| editions to the heroes who are honored
upon this occasion, not alone by the state
! OF Rhode Island, but also by the United
States government, the United States
| Volunteer Life-Saving corps and the car
| negie Hero Fund commission
| GOV. HIGGINS REMARKS.
Gov. James H. Higgins was introduced
! by Chairman Lewis TO speak on behalf
! of the commonwealth. He said In part:
"I am proud Of humanity when | re-
| call the stirring tale In which these men
were the leading participants on Feb. IL,
! 1907 As we look upon them tonight, we
glory I'm our state and are happy TO re-
1 fleet that we live In civilization which
can and did produce such valiant and un-
| selfish characters. Rhode Island delights
| In the opportunity to place upon their
brows the laurels of the brave.
| History has been wont to commend as
| the highest ideals of heroism those who,
| on the battlefield in time OF war. have
| been most fearless when facing the guns
| of the enemy But ] believe as did the
ancient writer that peace, too, has her
! triumphs and her heroes. as well as war.
! / believe that the man who, at the risk
| of his own life. saves fellowman. Is
| even "A greater hero than he who, at the
risk OF his own life destroys fellow
man The heroism OF salvation is higher
and nobler than the heroism OF destruc-
] ton
! "ln the annals Of New England there
| is. pc,haps. no more splendid example
| than was witnessed within radius OF a
| few miles Of this spot last February.
| "The state OF Rhode Island is proud.
| therefore. officially and enthusiastically,
| to do honor to the eight valiant members
/ of the crew OF the Elsie. II Is proud,
! also 10 make all proper recognition OF
| the forts OF the crews OF the There "a
| ana the Clara f.. who labored so dill.
! untly and persistently to rescue the bod
! iCs OF those who were lost In the dread
! ful collision Of Feb. II.
| ut is likewise proud To give honor T.
| the patriotic and loyal inhabitants OF
/ this island who did so much To resusci-
! tate the dying victims when brought 10
! this shore The action OF the people Of
| this island as whole, entities them 10
! the lasting commentator ot our STATE.
| for II there be any quality more than al
others which the citizens OF TINS com
| monwealth place on high. II Is that of
| Christian charity In time of need. The