New-York tribune., 1911-10-25

sight n the lighthouse and who has always
been warm friend of Miss Lewis, listed
the patient to-day
Colonel William n. coffin, commandant
OF tha NarraEaasct- defence district, an
rounced tonight that he had received in
sfructors from the War Department 10
susr-nd target practice at Forts Adams
and wethcrill during the illnels of Ida
Lewis The Instructions came too late. how
eve-. FOR he woman was dead when Colonel
CoT- got the orders During the last few
davs the continued booming Of the guns dis
tu,bed the ratlert and iarred the light
house
As the keeper IF Lime Rock Light, in
Newport harhor for more than half q cen
turv. Miss Lewis had saved eighteen lives.
She received many horo~s. including med
ais a life pension and the thanks - Con
g-ess
Hanging com i's davits in the old light
house at Limo Rock e. the little lifeOcat
Rescue. freshly painted and polished look
ing as z fl lad heNn completed yesterday.
= IS the boar that helped Miss Ida Lewis
10 fame one stormy night Fl 1850.
Late IN the afternoon Of a March day
down zea vas running that made the
sktr7e-g of even tho larger coasters put
for shelter Ida Lewis rad trimmed and
lighted the o,d-fashioned amp when in
'au 9f the storm she fancied she heard
cries for help. Peering from the window.
she caught c glimpse n three figures
cl.7rfrr 70 the bottom Of a capsized sail
heat
A~- attempt NJ rescue in such sea
seemed madness but The Young woman
5.a not hesitate. Scarcely waiting 90
dress. though f. was bitterly cold. she
rushed hatlese and shoe'ess, to her little
Graf, and pushed .nto the waves Then be-
san ID aa-r-r3to struggle. Again and again
sre vas nearly driven under. often she
lost sight of the men ard feared she was
too late.
81 length she reached them. bIt.too late
70 save one boy. who lost his hold and
sank Just as his companions heard her
hail It was another discouragng task 20
ger tho exhausted men aboard without
.egs.znr h,l Nt;l- boat. but otter repeated
failures they were dragged iH and sank IN
the bottom u tie boat. powerless 20 help
l-. their dead weight. aided % her eX-
hsueted condition making the return TO
the lighthouse douby difficult.
Tho rescued mon proved 20 he two young
soldiers. "a corporal and sergeant. sta
t.rred ~ Fort Adams They had been on
their way from Newport to the fort in
saHacat managed by the boy who lost his
rfe When Miss LsUis reached the Hight
house ncr work Vas not completed. one
soldier was unconscious and iu serious
condition. but hc- careful nursing restored
him
The story Of this daring exploit spread
quickly The citizens Of Newport bought
the H,rIs Hfeboat. reftted it, and gave il
10 Niy- Lewis Tn. Life Saving Benevolent
Association II New York presented a sill
Yer medal and a check for 500 10 her. The
Genera Assembly Of Rhode Island sent
her document acknowledging her ser
vices ane from the officers and soldiers
of F,rt Adams came a letter Of thanks and (
s.a Sl. received letters and gifts from
all over ;he world. Sne was thenceforth
known as the Grace Darling Of America
l.a lewis was then twcnty-seven years
Oil She had been born and educated at
Newport. and ~ the age of fifteen went
90 lgo a- thn Lime Rock Lighthouse when
her father Captain Hosea Lewis. was APP
pointed its keeper Soon af,er that her
4allfI NdS stricken Win i" as 80 ~
lea The eldest Of the children. took IN
greater part ~ his duties. she became
expert with the oars ON her fell the duiy
Of bringing supplies from the shore ana OF
rowing her frothers and sisters back ara
forth % school,
Her first rescue vas in the autumn OF
iE. when a sailboat had been careIeSsy
upset and she saved the lives OF four men
Asa'n on one Of the codest days OF winter
.n 1876 man mad set out i'm light skill
He was overcome with cold aud "oIin h''e
Te-ished 4 Miss Lewis at the risk oi "ei
own life had not gone 10 his rescue
year .ator in the face of teTflnie
gale, she rescued two men who were cIoss-
ing t5e larbor with A bostload Of sheeP
Size flst took the men ashore ana t"'"
leiurred 20 save the sheep.
Win this record already 20 commend he''
Il VAS dttlng that. on the death ~ hel /
!a'heI u 1867. Miss Lewis by q special a''
oi Congress vag appointed to succeed Ar
Keeper az Lime Rock the only woman
is said. ever 20 receive such an honor
In the fal ~ 1853 Miss Lewis was MAJ
lie1 % William - Wilson. d acht captain
h1i Tho ccIrlc Hfed together less thah
TWO wears. rhen the separated. 1neS
were never divorced. but the light keeper
resumed her maiden name and FOR t~entS
rNe Years h.ard rosrfog - her husband