The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-20
When Guggenheim Found the
Titanic Was Doomed
He Dressed Himself in His
Evening Apparel.

New York, April 20.-'If anything
should happen to me, tell my wife in
New York that I've done my best in
doing my duty
That was the last message of Ben
jarnin Guggenheim, of the famous
banking family, dictated to a steward
only short while before the banker
sank to his death with the Titanic.
1t was not until today that the mes
sage was received by Mrs Guggen-
helm. It was delivered by James
Etches, assistant steward in the first
cabin of the Titanic, to whom Mr..
Guggenheim communicated it. Etches
appeared at the ST. Regis hotel and
inquired for Mrs. Benjamin Guggen-
helm He said that he had message
from Benjamin Guggenheim and it
had to be delivered in person.
Mrs. Guggenheim was in the care
of Daniel Guggenheim, whose apart
ments are at the st. Regis The stew
ard was admitted but was not per
mitted to see Mrs. Guggenheim, who
is Frustrated with grief. He insisted
tnat ne must see her personally, but
finally consented to transmit the mes
sage through her brother-in-law
I'VE were together almost to the
end said the steward. Il was saved
He went down with the ship. But that
is not what 1 want to tell Mrs. Gug-
genheim.'
Then the steward produced a piece
of paper. He had written the mes
sage on it, he said, to be certain that
it would be correct. The message was
as given.
That's all he said,'' added the stew
ard, there was not time for more.''
Little by little Mr.. Guggenheinn got
the story of his brothers death from
the steward. 1t was the first definite
news he had received of his brother
Mr.. Guggenhein was one of my
charges" said the steward. He had
his secretary with him. His name was
Giglio, I believe, an Armenian, about
"a years old. Both died like soldiers.
When the crash came, I awakened
them and told them to get dressed. A
few minutes later I went into their
rooms and helped them to get ready
1 put a life preserver on Mr.. Guggen-
h elm. He said it hurt him in the back
There was plenty of time and I took
it off, adjusted it and then put it on
him again. It was all right this time.
''They wanted to go out on deck
with only few clothes on, but pulled
a heavy sweater over Mr.. Guggen-
helms life belt and they both went
out. They stayed together and could
see what they were doing. They were
going from one life boat to another
helping the women and children. Mr..
Guggenheim would shout out Women
first and he was of great assistance
to the officers.
Things were not so bad at first
but when I saw Mr.. Guggenhefnn in
half an hour after the crash there was
great excitement What surprised me
was that both Mr.. Guggenheim and
his secretary were dressed in their
evening clothes. They had deliberately
taken off their sweaters and as nearly
as I can remember, they wore no life
belts at all
F." Whats that for?' I asked.
We've dressed up in our best re-
piled Mr.. Guggenheim, and are pre-
pared to go down like gentlemen It
was then he told me about the mes
sage to his wife and that is what I
have come here for
well, shortly after the last few
boats were lowered and I was ordered
by the deck officer to man an oar. I
waved good bye to Mr.. Guggenheim,
and that was the last I saw of him
and his secretary"
Efforts to find the body of Benja-
min Guggenhein, who was the fifth of
the seven Guggenheim brothers. as
well as the bodies of other victims,
will be made by the six surviving
brotherA