The Washington herald., 1909-03-28
DICKINsoN's HERoISM.
New Secretary VIII Not Talk About
IL, but President Knows.

Gus J. Karger in Cincinnati Tines- Star.
There's an Incident IN the life OF J. NJ
Dickinson. the new Secretary OF War.
which his innate modesty VIII not permit
him 10 discuss
It's a mighty interesting incident, and
shows the stEn OF which the man Is
made. And. moreover. L made william
Howard Taft take notice OF him in such
way that thereafter he could not be
forgotten. Perhaps that made him a
member Of the Taft Cabinet. Who knows >
II happened some twelve OF fifteen
years ago. the year the American Bar
Association net at Detroit. The business
session had come to a close, and that
evening the party went Up the Detroit
River in yachts for an excursion They
were late returning, II was pitch dark.
One Of the members OF the party was
James F. JOY then a man about eighty
years OF age. one OF the prominent and
distinguished men o. Detroit. president Of
the Michigan Central Railroad, and other
wise identified with the best commercial,
social, and political interests OF his State.
He died some years sgo. On the evening
In question, Mr.. JOY started 20 leave The
boat of the gangplank. The darkness
deceived him. and what he supposed was
the wharf was one OF the shadows cast
athwart the water. He stepped from the
boat out into space. There was a splash,
a muff7ed scream, then silence
Dickinson. he who is now Secretary Of
War, was directly behind Joy. he did
not hesitate an instant There was no
time 10 pull OF a coat or kick on shoes
Il was a case OF instant action, or no
action whatever. An expert swimmer, a
man OF daring and judgment. Dickinson
required no preparation. He plunged into
the darkness and the waters below 10
save life II 10 save It were possible.
For moment the waters closed over
him. then he came 70 the surface, tread
Ing water, and looking about. Within a
few seconds he spied Joy. who was sup
ported by the great coat he worse. bal
looming about him. The octogenarian was
growing feeble, and help came Just IN
time. Dickinson seized the cape OF the
coat that enveioped Joy and held him
above water. The greatest danger that
threatened now was that he might be
crushed between the wharf and the boat
In the meantime the excitement OF the
situation had communicated itself 10 the
other members OF the party. and the en-
gineer was warned In the nick OF time
Dickinson's SON. then a boy. now man
engaged fl business IN Seattle. was the
first 10 render practical assistance. He
caught Up a coll OF rope and threw one
end over. His father grasped Il, the
boats searchlight having been turned on
10 aid him IN his work OF rescue, and
gave IL 10 joy. who was yet able 20 cling
70 IL and help in some slight measure
those who then pulled him out OF the
water. Dickinson kept himself above
water until Joy had been rescued and
his own turn came. Then, his wet clothes
sticking to him and the water running
from them, he. too. was pulled aboard.
He was hurried into a cabin. The first
man TO enter II was William Howard
Taft, one OF the members OF the Bar
Association He didn't care how wet
Dickinson was. He Just threw both arms
around him and Rugged him in the ex-
uberance OF his Joy and admiration.
That was a splendid thing you did to-
night, old man. he shouted.
The next day everybody made a hero
Of Dickinson. The whole town wanted
TO tell him what It thought OF him. But
Dickinson couldn't stand IT, II was en-
trely too much for him. He Just took
train and sneaked away.
To-day I called on Secretary Dickinson,
and charged him with the act OF herOism
Ia question. He didn't want 70 talk
about it. He Just laughed
II you want to know what really hap
pened." he said, ''ask President Taft. He
was there"