The Washington times., 1909-09-28
HONOR TO DICKINSON
FOR BRAVE RESCUE
Secretary of War Given
Medal for Saving Man
Fourteen Years Ago.

Secretary of War Jacob NJ. Dickinson
was honored I'm an unusual fashion to-
day e Assistant Secretary of the
treasury Hilles presented lin with a
solc ~hfe-saving medal. in recognition
OF a heroic act performed b. him four
teen years ago, when he saved he life
OF James +. JOY, a distinguished citi-
zen Of Detroit
Secretary Dickinson was pleas d great
~ with the medal. and so expressed
himself to Mr.. HIles. The presentation
was made without formaIity. and took
place in h office Of j Secretary of
War. 1t came to MIR. Dickinson as a
surprise. though everyone who knows
believes he fully merited the honor.
Mr.. Taft, now President. at that time
judge, was a witness Of the H-fe-savinr
feat of Judge Dickinson. SO were JUS
uce Brewer. Of the Supreme Court. Jus
tice Brown, and other distinguished
men. The medal presented TODAY was
Inspected and approved by the Presi-
dent before his departure for the West.
IL is declared that when President Taft
came TO pick his Secretary Of War he
was moved to pick Judge Dickinson by
his memory Of heroism displayed in
D 1C ~ VI "a aDNs
In August, 1898, the American Bar
Association met in Detroit. On the ar
ternoon of the 18th an entertainment
was provided at the St. Clair Flats. TO
~hlch the guests were conveyed on
steam yachts. Judge Dickinson, Charles
II. Campbell, Frank Q. LOvelaud. ana
others were. entertained on the steam
yacht owned by Truman II. Wbe
The yacht returned to Detroit az \
ociock' at which hour il wac dark. and
Jay several feet away from the Michi-
gan central railroad wharf, owing TO
the interference of some piles al the
outer edge of the wharf. A small land
ing plank vas put out.
James L. JOY. a citizen of distinction
OF Detroit, who was The Oldest membe-
OF he Detroit bar, and whose eyesigit
was defective, fell overheard la at
tempting 10 cross on the plank. The
plank was six feet above the water
Judge Dickinson jumped in after Mr..
JOY and rescued him. There were many
Jagged. broken piles at that point, some
OF which were hidden, and as there WAS
imminent danger Of striking these, a
dangerous situation was created. Both
men were unframed, Which was Du~eiy
a matter Of good fortune.
Judge Dickinson is n powerful man
ana an athlete or he would not have
been able 10 perform the feat. He was
warmly congratulated for Il at the time
by the men in the party. Nothing was
ever done about the matter, however.
until May %, 1909, when Thomas Hern-
don, president OF the American Cross
Of Honor, made written application to
the Secretary OF the Treasury for the
award OF a ~ife-saving medal to Mr..
Dickinson.
The application and accompanying evil
dence were submitted 90 a committee
on h~fe-saving medals. Of tide
Solicitor OF the Treasury, the guDarfu-
tendent Of the Life-Saving Service. and
the capt'tu-cOmmandant Of the Revenue
Cutter Service. The committee on June
y, 1909. unanimously TepOrtod a recon-
mendatiOu IN favor OF the award of a
medal Of the first class (gold), as pruvfd-
ed I'm the act of Congress approved June
31th, 1874.
The afpdavits IN support or the appli-
cation We're made by Charles II. Camp
bell. Of the Detroit bar, and Frank q.
loveland. OF Cincinnati. clerk or the
court Of the Sixth judicial district.