Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-04-20

New York, April 2o.-Out Of the num-
erous stories told by survivors Of; the
Titanic disaster there stand forth many
facts to prove the extra ordinary forti-
tude and wonderful heroism of those
left behind on the liners decks facing
the death that shortly overlook them.
While conflicting iii some Of their de-
taiks, these stories are wonderfully
unanimous in testifying to this heroic
conduct.
Probably there were many heroes
among those men who saw the women
to the boats and the deeds Of one would
scarcely cutrank those Of another.
Naturally the survivors noticed par
ticularly the action Of the more notable
Of their fellow passengers who were
known to them on that account. and 1T
was Of their conduct they testified spe-
officially. tho 1t probably wac only fair
sample OF the conduct Of many less
conspicuous who died in the same noble
company.
OF the death Of the distinguished
journalist and publicist, William T.
Stead. there is practically no chronicler
among the survivors whose stories have
been published. One Of the most dis
tinguished passengers on the ship. his
action on that awful occasion seem to
have passed unnoticed by those who
survived.
One nameless passenger of all those
whose stories thus far appeared said
anything about Mr.. Stead According
to this passenger Mr.. Stead. believing
there was not the slightest danger OF
the Titanics laundering. returned to
his stateroom and probably persisted
there.
Dies a. All Brave Men Do.
That Colonel John Jacob Aston. scion
Of one Of New York's oldest families.
died the. death OF a brave man there
Is ample testimony. tho in some of the
survivors details these stories conflict
Sitting the stories 1t Is evident
Colonel Aston. after assisting his wife
end other women. did actually get into
the boat with them. but subsequently
returned to the liner. some declaring at
the request of an officer and others
that it was Of his own volition after he
had seen there were other women still
on the ship.
1t would also appear the boat in which
he left his wife had room for many
more passengers.some say sixteen. when
II left the liners side. hence it would
appear Colonel Aston might have re-
manned except for his desire to see that
others were not left.
In Cabin When Ship Struck.
Fleeing together the stories about
Col. Aston. it Is clear ne and his wife
were In their cabin when the ship
struck. that they at once came on deck.
and upon the order for the women 10
get In the boats. Mrs. Astor at hrst
demurred believing there was not SUI
ficient danger to warrant risking hef
life IN such a frail craft. Col. Aston
thereupon insisted.
Two stewards Of the Titanic told
reporter they had subsequently, seen
Col. Aston doing valiant work getting
women into other boats.
straus Deaths Pathetic.
With their minds filled with the last
actions of brave men, such as these.
there was one scene. pathetic beyond
all Others which seems to have re-
NAMED uppermost with not one but
.nany survivors. 1t was that OF the
dea tbs of Mr. and Mrs. Isidor Straus.
The sight of the devoted husband and
wife disappearing beneath the waves
together hand in hand after Mrs.
Straus had refused to yield to the en-
treaties Of her husband to leave him
was one that few could describe to
the reporters. tho they had carried IT
wildly away with them.
The Strauses had mingled much with
those on board the ship and their fell
low passengers had had many oppor-
tunities in the days that preceded the
tragedy to witness their devotion.
Apparently In that awful scene which
those looking back from the boats had
indelibly Impressed upon their minds
this couple stood out most conspfcu-
cusly. While the stories regarding the
others who died differ somewhat. those
relating to the Strauses all seemed
to agree, showing the accuracy with
which the impression had been made.
M. Straus Calm to End.
Many of those who told this story
had been close to the Strauses while
the work of launching the boats was
in progress Every one Of them agree
that during this scene Mr.. Strauss
was strangely calm and remained SO
INIT, the end. In only one small re-
snect do these stories differ as to what
then occurred.
According to Mrs. ]. Murray Brown,
who had been playing bridge with MI.
and Mrs. Straus. Mrs. Straus did ac-
tually ret into one Of the boats. but
when she found Mr.. Straus would not
follow she stepped out again. other
accounts are that Mrs. Straus from the
first refused to step foot in a boat
without MT. Straus. and that the latter
after trying to force her into one. LOT
q few minutes. then gave 1t up.
This Scene, narrowing in Its details
is described thus by H. F. stephason'
an attaehe Of the Swedish embassy.
who stood by this particular boat and
who only minute before had seen
Colonel Astor part with his wife:
Plead With Mrs. 9traus.
!, During the excitement heard some
one say: Mrs. Straus. you must 60
Turning around, saw the Strauses
standing together. The men we're TAX
ing to Mrs. Straus.
".No, mo. 1 will not co. she cried
TO her husband. I can not leave you
Then some one said: You both can
70: there's room for both
LAS long as there 10 woman on
this vessel said Mr.. Straus, Will not
leave. They are the first who must
be looked after When they are safe
then come the men. But not until all