The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-01
HERO AND HONOR MEDALS
By Frederic J. Haskin.


 The United States. while sloryins in its heroes. has been more chary of conferring medals than any other coun- try, because this sort of thing smacks l too much of the monarchical to suit the American spirit. During the first hun dred and twelve years of the Republic only eighty-three medals were awarded by the government. The Continental fCongress early discussed how the new republic should honor its heroes. It had no titles nor peerages like other countries. but 1t did have 'the highest reward a free man can receive. the re- corded appreciation of his country" After much debate the assemblage de- cided upon the comforting of medals. and the first one was awarded to Gen. eral Washington. It was of gold and commemorated the splendid conduct of himself and soldiers in the siege and acquisition of Boston.
 At present there are but three med als which are authorized by the gov ernment. These are given to heroic soldiers and sailors. and to those who have imperilled their lives in an at- tempt to save others from drowning. By an act of Congress the Secretary or War is empowered to present these medals to men who by heroic conduct have proved themselves worthy. Some Of the recipients have formed them selves into Medal of Honor Legion, and hold annual conventions. The med al now used Is said by Parisian medal artist to be the handsomest given py any country.
 About three thousand of these badges of distinction have been conferred upon the soldiers. nearly five hundred to vet erans of the Civil war. and some twen- ty-five or more to the heroes Of the Philippines. The Spanish War gave op- portunity for the display of bravery in the navy as well as in the army, SIX ty-one medals having been awarded to the marines and blue jackets. Among the many organizations which confer medals of honor Is the Grand Army. the badge of which Is made from cap tured cannon, as is also the Cross or Honor which is given by the United Daughters of the Confectionery to the veterans who were honorably dis- charged from the service of the Con federate Army.
 Uncle Sam awards his other decora- ton of honor through the Life Saving Service The first medal of this kind was a gold one given to Lucien M. Clemmons of Ohio for rescuing two Of the crew of a schooner off kelleys Island In Lake Erie. Since that time about gro medals have been given, nine of which. three gold and six sill yer went to women. Lucien Young of Kentucky was awarded a gold one in '7S for rescuing, and attempting to res cue, his shipmates from the U.S.S. Hu- ron, on the coast of North Carolina. Three citizens of Washington have won these honors. Calvin Gum, Nor gan Steele and Louis B. Diggins, all three receiving silver medals The youngest winner of United States Life Saving medal Is Marie Parsons ol Long Island. who at the age of ten recued a young man from drowning.
 Long years before the government began it's work of saving life on sea. the state of Massachusetts had an or ganized life Navfng service. or humane society. AS Mp back as 100 years ago 1t was doing what it could to rescue the shipwrecked or those in danger of drowning The first medal which Mas sachusetts gave outside Of her own borders, went to Miss Ida Lewis. the daughter of lighthouse keeper in Newport Harbor. This wonderful wo- man began her career of life saving when a very young girl. and has num- bers of lives to her credit. She receiv- ed many valuable presents from pri- vate individuals and organizations. and finally in 1881 was awarded gold medal by the United States Life Saving
  one of these tetimonials of the na- tion's approval. was Edith Morgan of Hamlin, Michigan. in the year 1880. Since then many of her sisters have fol- lowed her example of courage and have been similarly rewarded.
 The most important medal bestowed by a private individual Is that offered by Andrew Carnegie to heroic life sa- vers under any or all conMtions-to everyday heroes. as he expresses it. To this end he established. in 1904. fund of $500.00o. and appointed commits sion of twenty-one men who were to take charge of 1t. This medal applies to Canada, the United States and the waters thereof. and to all sorts and conditions of men, women or children It is of gold. silver or bronze. and re- cites the deed for which presented besides the medals there is a sum of money to be given. if the commission deems 1t advisable, for the benefit of the dependents of those who lose their lives in a heroic effort to save their fellowman,or for the heroes themselves if only injured. Money may be paid to a widow until she marries again. and to children until they reach a self-supportlng age. but can be with drawn in any instance unless properly used.
 Since the founding of this fund, thir- teen gold, fifty-one silverand sixty two bronze medals have been awarded. One of these was won by Washington girl. Miss Jessie K. Nelson. who In 1905 saved a two year old child from being run over by a car. The young est Carnegie hero is Fenton Gregory of Laceyville, Pennsylvania, a boy of eleven. who saved a man from drown ing. A little girl of thirteen is next. and there are quite a number from fourteen to seventeen.
 Another act of remarkable bravery which won a gold medal for its per former was that of Andrew Hedges. county superintendent of schools in Plerceville. Kansas. One day he came to a place where some laborers were val the well cRved In. burying to his arm pits one of the workmen In vain MT. Hedges expostulated with the other, workmen and onlookers to try to rescue the-man, but as another cave-in was imminent. they refused. Finally, finding that nothing was being done to save the man, he jumped into the doomed well himself and for two hours worked alone. Tn the end he succeeded in rescuing the man. both barely get ting out of the well before the second cave-in. Besides the medal he was given $3.600--$60O for the liquidation of his debts. and $3.000 for the educa- ton of his children.
 Through the generosity of MT Thom- as George Hodgkins of Setauket New York a medal Is offered, through the Smithsonian Institution, for important contributions to the knowledge of the nature and properties of atmospheric