The Washington herald., 1909-04-11

few minutes after o'clock on the
night Of Thursday last Policeman James
W. Simms. Of the Eighth precinct, res
cued a little girl from almost certain
death.
The rescue was made so quickly that
neither simms nor the little girl nor per
sons who witnessed it realized what had
happened until the child had been borne
10 safety.
Probably two seconds elapsed while
the girl stood in the shadow OF eternity.
Those seconds were the most eventfuI
in the life Of Policeman Simms.
In two ticks OF the big silver watch in
his vest pocket, he leaped before a
speeding street car at the risk OF his
Hfe. grabbed a nt;le. trembling girl in
his arms. and stepped of the track just
IN time 70 escape death or injuries nearly
a. bad as death But that was not all
Made Two Leaps 10 Girl.
In those two leaps ne had Jumped from
the mediocrity Of a private in the ranks
to the fame Of a hero, who had saved
young life Al the jeopardy Of his own.
he had gained the level or men who
have shown the world they possessed
toose qualities which cause statues TO
be erected and names engraved on the
book OF posterity
HIS sudden rise 10 the Communications
of his chief. the recognition OF his act by
officials. the hearty concentrations OF his
comrades. and the thanks Of a grateful
mother and father have had little effect
on Policeman Simms. for to-day he
swings a baton and performs duty 81 the
Eighth precinct with the regularity and
precision which has u -rked las work
from the day he was appointed TO the
force until a minute or two after s O'Clock
on Thursday night
Too modest 10 tell Of II himself. the
brave act Of Policeman Simms would
never have been known had II not been
seen by Sergt. D. T. DUNCAN. OF the
Eighth precinct. who reported il 20 Capt.
r. F. Boyle. Capt. Boyle made an official
report 10 Mai. Sylvester, and in this way
the details OF the heroic rescue reached
the world outside Of the Eighth precinct
Thelma sullivan. three years old. who
lives at so Florida avenue northwest Is
the girl who owes her life 10 Policeman
Simms. She has Hsped-her thanks 20 him
IN her baby way, and hss promised 10
prove her thankfulness in the future by
keeping out OF the path OF street cars.
g story OF the Rescue.
The story Of the rescue was told By
Sergt DUNCAN as follows:
I was staining before the Eighth
precinct station about 6 o'clock Thursday
night saw two little girls start 10
cross L street near Ninth They ran be-
hind an eastbound car OF the Capital
they were in the path Of a westbound
car.
zone OF the girls cleared the track IN
safety. and scampered away toward the
sidewalk. but her companion remained
on the track. too dazed by her peril 10
move. She screamed. and put her tiny
hands before her face. The motorman
did not see the tot. and it looked as If she
would be crushed TO death I was too
far away 70 give aid. and stood elinch-
ing my hands and praying that some
thing would happen, and happen quickly.
Something did happen. and It hap
pened so quickly did not realize what
II was until It was all over. Policeman
Simms was on the sideSalk opposite the
spot where the girl stood He looked Up
saw the peril OF the child and started.
In two bounds he jumped from the side
walk 20 the car track, a distance OF
half the roadway. and grabbed the child
from her feet One of his feet hit the
middle OF the track as he leaped across
and drew her in his arms.
The next Instant he was over. II was
not a fraction of 8 second tao soon, Tor
the fender OF the car struck his foot and
nearly threw him 10 the ground. but he
remained on his feet and reached the
sidewalk The motorman did not see the
girl until he saw her IN the arms OF
Simms as he dashed before the car.
While Simms was placing the little girl
Oh her feet and trying 70 soothe her.
the motorman stopped the car. Seeing
no one was hurt. he started on again
Girl stopped Crying.
The girl disappeared down Ninth
street as soon as she stopped crying, and
Simms boarded a car for home. as though
nothing had happened I have seen men
act quickly in my day. but never saw
man move as did Simms when he ran
across the street before that car
1T IS my honest opinion that ne took
only four steps from curb to curb. The
thing was done so quickly, so cleverly.
and with no apparent regard for any
he ca 81 ~ he obi
Il took my breath away. I have given
him time 10 tell OF his act or make a
report, but be has remained silent. and
has not sought the honor due him. 7
felt K my duty TO make report"