The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-25
HERO'S MEDAL
 FOR CRIPPLED
 HARRY BONNEY
U. S. Government Rewards Brave Deed of Fairfield
 Man

Harry Bonney, 24 years old, of Fair field. has received the government medal for saving life at sea- This rare award for heroism came to him yesterday. Bonney is cripple. His legs are mere stumps a few inches long. His feet are scarcely recogniz- able as such- His hands are also de- formed. Nevertheless, upon the morn most difficult circumstances, saved the life of Carl Schulte of Fairfield.
 The story of the most courageous feat was told in the Farmer at the time of it's occurrence. Bonney and Schulte, on Sept. 5, went to Port Jef- ferson. l.. T.. to bring home a boat. They started in the night to sail the craft to Fairfield. A storm came up, the wind blew stiffly and a heavy sea was soon kicked up. Schulte found it oper ration the boat fell out of the wind, and lost her headway. A sharper puff struck the little craft and she cap sized. Schulte was struck by the mast. thrown into the water and rend- cred almost insensibfe. -~-=----zssr-----~
 Bonney was in the back of the boat. In spite of his deformity he is a pow erful swimmer. He made his way to Schulte. dragged him onto the up- turned boat and held him there.
 
 that he was part of the time all but insensible. He would slip off the boat and ~Bonney would drag him back again. In this terrible situation the cripple, and Schulte remained for three or four hours, until a motor boat, driven by George T. King of this city, came to their assistance. The water was so rough that the motor boat could not approach the capsized sail boat. so rope was thrown to Bon vuIn for I. arm. Then, taking Schulte in the em- brace of his right arm, Bonney slid off the boat and was dragged to safety,
 The rescued men were brought to this city. They were met at the dock by Harbor Master Charles H. Morris who saw that everything possible was done for both. In the meantime he interested himself to secure "a recogni- tion for Bonney that he might be re- warded for so unusual an act of hardi- hood and heroism.
 Others who learned of the brave deed also interested themselves, fore most among whom were Mrs. Henry Q. Sturges of Fairfield, and B. w. S. Pickett of Fairfield.
 Under their direction the necessary papers were filled out and all the strict requirements of the government in the way of the necessary proof complied with. Part of the evidence submitted was photograph of Bonney. which a4eAo of the government officials whose duty it is to decide in such cases.
 The medal is of solid silver. It is attached by blue silk ribbon to a bar, in the form of an eagles head, the ribbon being held by the beak The obverse shows a stormy sea and an i1nperilled swimmer in the act of being rescued.
 The reverse is inscribed ''To Harry Bonney, for rescuing a man. Sept. 6, 1908. In testimony of deeds in saving life from the perils of the sea-
 The medal is issued under an act of congress. adopted June 20, 1874
 Friends of Bonney have also applied to the Carnegie Commission for a re- cognition of his bravery This ap- plication is pending before the com 
 Bonney is a son of MT. and Mrs. James H. Bonney. well known and re- spected citizens of Southport He is well liked by all who know him. The deformities which would discourage most men, he makes the best of. He rides a bicycle especially made for his service and gets as much fun out of fife as many men do who are born un-5 der more favorable circumstances.