Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-16
LADY ELGIN HERO
TELLS OF RESCUES
EDWARD w. SPENCER GIVES
STORY OF WRECK
Collision in Furious Storm on Lake
Michigan Left Passengers and
Crew at Mercy of the
Waves

The announcement that Edward w
Spencer, the hero of the Lady Elgu1
wreck of forty-eight years ago, when
he saved seventeen lives, would speak
at the mems meeting yesterday after
noon at the Y. NJ. c. A. building, at
tracted a congregation of men that
taxed to the utmost the seating ca
pacity of the auditorium of the build
ing. Aside from this service another
meeting was held for boys between
the ages of 16 to 81, in the triangle de-
partment.
At the meeting in the auditorium Mr..
Spencer was the principal speaker.
Others were DR.. Jacoby, assistant to
DIR. Torrey; D. e. Luther. the general
secretary, and 3. H. Emett. Music was
furnished by Professor Lefebre, %. w.
Robinson, Mr.. Wertz and the T. M. Z.
A. double quartet.
Mr.. Spencer, whose health was brok-
en- in his heroic rescue in the wreck
and who had to give up his studies for
the ministry by that reason, spoke yes
terday in an transformations manner,
telling in public for the first time the
stirring events of that day. A bronze
tablet has been erected in the Evan
ston university, where he was stu
dent at that time. communicating MS
bravery NIL 0ptiCCI octlI III BeeA
1.-THE entire nation at that time was
tremendously stirred by the prospect
i've Civil war. The loyal war governor
of Wisconsin had disarmed reputed
disloyal militia company of Milwau-
kee. This company chartered the Lazy
Elgin for a Sunday excursion to chi
cago, intending to raise funds with
which to re-equip the company with
arms. On the return trip, in an awful
storm from the north, when some TWEEN
ty miles out from Chicago and at about
2 a. M, a sailing vessel ran into the
Lady Elgin, so injuring her that she
Immediately began to go to pieces
There were on board Besides the eX-
cursionists, passengers going north.
"All her boats but two were lost, and
the persons in these had thrilling eX-
periences getting through the breakers.
Excited people lined the bluff for two
or three miles, having heard OF the
terrible disaster and coming to the spot
in relief trains that were sent out from
Chicago.
1.-THE captain and about fifty persons
on a large piece of the wreck were
buffeted by the storm for about eight
hours before they reached the breakers.
There the raft was knocked to pieces
and all We're lost but five. Sad indeed
after hours of struggle and SUFFERING,
Wl6n Safety SS6lllSu ~
right at the shore where thousands OF
willing hands were outstretched TO help
them.
Students to the Rescue
"On the morning of the wreck num-
Der of us students went out to the
lake shore for a walk and were met by
the news of the wreck. Supposing that
the vessel had been blown ashore ana
that we might be of assistance In
rescuing those aboard we hurried along
and came to the dead body of woman,
with plenty of wreckage but no Vessel
in sight. went on, and coming 10 an
opening saw out in the breakers what
appeared to be q human being. with
nv coat I waved to the students be-
hind me, jumped down the bank and
made my way out just in time.
while not an expert swimmer, was
horn and raised on the Mississippi river,
and had learned to be at home IN the
water. Several times during the day
7 came up through the breakers, just
missing heavy wreckage. AT about 10
a. m. / saw someone coming into the
breakers apparently supporting some-
thing partially submerged. This was
an inspiration to me, and 1 rushed into
the lake to the end of my rope and
waited while another rope was tied on,
which enabled me to reach them after
a tremendous struggle The high bluff
back from the shore was covered with
great multitude, looking on with in
tense interest. l remember now, after
forty-eight years have passed, that