The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-09-07
HEROES
 SAVE HUNDREDS IN FLOODS IN TEXAS
Men of United States Army Lose Lives in Aiding
 Others.

Texas during the recent devastation by storm there The Houston Chronicle thus pays tribute:
 The Chronicle wishes to call the at tention of the administration, and for that matter, of the people at large, to the heroic and self-sa crifcing ser vices performed. by officers and men of the United States army in connec- tion with the recent storm.
 Threatened with disaster, deprived of shelter, and driven into a night of darkness and violence after having lost the bulk of their clothing and supplies, these khaki-clad boys, in stead of hunting refuge for them selves, as they might have been jus tiled in doing, spent their time and energy in trying to rescue, and safe guard the interests of others.
 When the gale first swept in over Galveston they went through the streets warning the people of what was to be expected. When the build ings on the seawau began to go down, and they were obliged to leave Fort Crokkett,' when the thousands of ci- williams were rushing for the protee- ton of great steel structures, and when the streets began to flood like rivers, it was these same men who helped many a woman to a place. of imminent peril
 When their camp at Texas City had been converted into an inland sea- and they. were compelled to look for high spots, they never failed to halt or go out of their way in be- half of many an unfortunate who must otherwise have succumbed.
 Whsn tha fires broke out in strick- en Galveston, and 8 panic was near, it was our soldier boys who dragged people from imperilled buildings, and helped to quiet over-wrousht nerves by their steadfast devotion to duty.
 When the fatefu1 morning broke at last, and they looked out on the drab expanse of destruction, wet and hun gry, with a night of wracking ex- toll ahead, it was not of themselves or their losses that they thought, but of those of oth ers
 And after the tempest subsi ded, and Galveston and. Texas City were strug- gHng to extricate themselves from the hopeless tang1e of Wreckage and de- bris, it was once more Uncle Sam's boys who rendered them invaluable assistance.
 No section, no suburb, no institu- ton and no community in this whole storna-swept territory were hit harder than the army posts. At Texas City the camp went eight feet under wa ter. At Galveston Fort Crockett was de1uged and bow1ed over.
 The various companies and detach- n1ents were ripped up and catapaulted into the night to cope with nature bare-handed.
 From General Bell down to the veriest scul1ion they took their medi- cine like men and they have helped this district to win a victory over the clements which is at once hon orab1e and of substantial benefit. We are proud of them down here, and we want the whole country to know 1t. Particularly do we want the desk men ID in Washington to know it.
 They have proved their mett1e. They have come out of this just as out of every emergency. They have little left but their honor, but that they have preserved untarnished-
 We would like to slap every one of them on the back, and tell them just how we feel about it, but circun- stances prevent, and they must read what little gratitude they can from this inaninate expression. Beside, they probably wouldn't thank Us to interrupt them right now, as they are still busy helping the civilian popula- ton get itself into shape once more.
 They faced death. too,.. don't forget that. and worse still, their women and children faced death Their casualties are about equal to those of the cap ttare of Vera Cruz. and these who per 0eszea1VIu$3 a burial.
 Now that the storm is over. they are helping the local authorities straight, en things up with that same cheer fuI disregard of their own interests and comforts that has characterized their conduct all the way through.
 The gulf coast towns particularly Texas City and Galveston. will be in order very much earlier than they would have: been otherwise, because there are thousands of soldiers help ing to de the -=ork.
 And the most agreeable aspect of it is that they hays. avoided the assunp- tion of any offieious attitude. Their spirit has been ef1eeEfu1fy co-epera- tive. and this has contributed to cre- ate a feeling of confidence and sat- isfaetion on all sides
 General Bell is to be congratulated on the prompt and able manner with which he has handled his command in the midst. of such difficulties and discenfaging conditions, and the com nand itself is to be congratulated oH the fidelity with which it has carried out his instructions.
 Where it was possible te render aid the army has rendered it, and Wher- ever it was possible to prevent dis aster the army has used it's every ability to prevent it.
 If pesti1eRce and disease are avoid ed, it will be largely through the eff forts of the array, and if few civilians have suffered from hunger along the coast, it will be largely through the Iiberality with which army supplies have been diverted to their relief.
 The army has gone wet that other people might be dry, the army has gone thirsty that other people might drink, and the army has faced the possibility of running short of food that other people might be provided for.
 This is the kind of army that we like to have with us, that we like to believe in, that we like to depend on, and that we are not afraid te see in creased.
 Fireman John Duffy of Engine Com pany No. s3, fell into a 25 foot exeava-