The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-11-17

Italian, who was in the city of Bloeton
for the purpose of installing a water
works system. He is about thirty years
of age, slightly built, as handsome as
an Adonis and at the time of the opera
ton was in perfect health. He was told
by the physicians that much skin would
be required. and that there was some
danger from unforeseen complications. To
this he replied with a smile that they
could go as far as they liked" and that
he was glad of the opportunity to be of
service to a suffering fellow creature.
He was placed on the operating fable
and no less than " square inches Of
skin were transferred from his thighs 10
the injured arm of the girl This opera
ton was performed on the 4th of Oc-
tober. The brave fellow suffered con-
siderably, but owing to his superb health
was sufficiently recovered to leave the
hospital in about two weeks. The girl
seemed to get along very we'll for the
time being. when there came a change
for the worse
More Skin Required
About the first of this month ne was
again approached and told that more
skin was required as some of that which
was formerly taken had sloughed off.
Again the brave fellow said he was both
ready and willing. On the 5th Of No
yember he was again placed on The
operating table and this time 80 square
inches were taken from his back, from
between the shoulder blades and the
waist. This operation lasted longer and
the pain was more excruciating than
the FIRST one, but there was no flinching
on the part of the modest hero who
made the sacrifice.
The writer learned these facts from
a well known travelling man who visited
Blocton, and who learned the story from
one, of the business men of the place.
They were later verified by profess
sional man of the city
To Aid Suffering Fellow Creature
The merit in the case lies in The fact
that Signor Ponzi made the sacrifice
that caused him so much pain and as
lie was informed by the physicians, with
some risk to health and life, cheer
fully and without the slightest hope of
fee or reward. He was prompted by a
desire to aid a suffering fellow erea-
ture Furthermore his financial circum-
stances are none of the best as he has
had a somewhat checkered career since
he left the land of his birth and be-
came an American citizen.
Either one of the operations would
have stamped him a hero, but when enc
of skin removed and then when larely
recovered was willing to make further
sacrifice of so inches, making 122 inches
in all, his action was more than heroic.
That he is appreciated by those who
know the story goes without saying, and
it is understood some of the citizens
of Blocton are bringing the matter be-
fore the trustees of the Carnegie hero
fund.
Born in Parma, Italy
Signor Ponzi was born In Parma, Italy |
March g. 1882. His father was lieutenant |
in the Italian army and died in service |
His mother the daughter of the president
of the court of appeals at Parma, still
lives in her sunny Italian home. Passing
through the elementary schools the sig
nor entered Maria Luigia National Col
lege and graduated from the lyceum
course at Rome in 1860. In October 1908
he came to America With but little |
knowledge of English he worked as clerk |
waiter. officeman and at other occupa-
lions until he became proficient in the
English language He has acted as in
terpreter both in this country and Can
ada and came to Birmingham in that
He went to Blocton to get acquainted
with his countrymeA many of whom
work in the mines at that point. and at
the time of his sacrifice was endeavor-
ing to promote a waterworks plant for
that busy little town.
We are loud in our praise of him who
faces the cannon's mouth, yet all the
heroes are not confined to martial ex-
ploits. Signor Ponzi is stamped in heroic
mould and his act of unselfish self-sac-
rifce worthy Of the highest praise and
commando tion