Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1915-05-20
REMEMBERED THAT THEY
wEnc AneRiCANS.

there was frightful panic aboard and
men, women and children scrambled
for the lifeboats until the captain
called out: Remember men that you
are Britishers, let the ladies go first"
1t is interesting to note that when
the Lusitania was sinking that it was
unnecessary to remind Americans hat
they were Americans. A most strik-
ing example of heroism. and from a
source probably least expected, is
found in the act of Alfred Vanderbilt
giving his life preserver to an old
woman.
Two survivors of the Lusitania dis
aster have given testimony that Alfred
G Vanderbilt died heroically; that he
went to death to save the life Of a
woman
Thomas Slidell, a friend of Mr.. Van
derbilt, who lives at the K~nickerbock-
er club in New York and was travelling
with him, told of the sacrifice first.
Later Norman Radcliffe, who lives in
Dillingham;, Kent, and was returning
from Japan, offered verification.
Thomas Slidell said hat Mr.. Wander
bilt was standing on B deck with two
or three persons, all of whom had life
belts on.
Just as the Lusitania was heeling
to her final plunge" went on Mr.. Sill
dell. IAN old woman, apparently with
out friends came along. Seeing that
she vas without a life belt. Mr.. Van
derbilt without hesitation took off his
own and fastened it around her. At
hat moment the boat went down.
What happened to the old woman l
don't know. but 1 do know that Mr..
Vanderbilt is dead. He could not swim
and must have known that by surren-
dering his life belt he was sacrificing
his own life.
Some of those standing with him
were saved. 1t was Miss Loney who
told me of Mr.. Vanderbilt's sacrifice.
Meant to Help Red Cross.
at is not known generally what Mr..
Yanderbilt's mission on this trip was.
The night before the Lusitania went
down he told Inc in confidence, but |
see no reason why it should not be
known now that, although he had CIV
en- large sums TO the Red Cross, he felt
he had not done enough and was com
ing over to do more.
'Hc said that he intended 10 fit out
two motor ambulances and go with
them himself to France to help the
British and American Red Cross peo'
pie personally in one capacity or an.
other.
Now all his plans have come to
nothing. He forgot everything in the
fact that he could be of service to this
old woman. His own life, position and
wealth did not count. He did what he
knew 10 be his duty"
Norman Radcliffe, who was rescued
after clinging to a box in the sea for
three hours, had with him a steward
OF the Lusitania.
Died Like Sportsman.
This steward" Mr.. Radcliffe said,
WIN NV liz hdu SGtu NIL. NdDuSIDlil
on the L%usitania's deck, shortly after
the ship was struck, with a life belt
about his body. When the ship gave
every indication that it would sink
within a few minutes, the steward
said Mr.. Vanderbilt tool off his life
belt and gave it to a woman who
passed him on the deck, trembling
with fear of the fate she expected to
meet. The steward said Mr.. Wander.
bilt turnd back, as though to look
for another belt, and he saw him no
more"
Oliver o. Bernard, scenic artist of
Covent Garden, said:
II saw Alfred G.. Vanderbilt stand
ms at the port entrance to the grand
salon. He stood there the personnca.
ton of sportsmanlike GOODNESS. In his
right hand was grasped what looked
to me like a large purple leather jewel
case. 1t may have belonged to Lady
Mackworth, as Mr.. Vanderbilt had
been much in company OF the Thomas
phity uuIlnB the lTlp, anu evidently
had volunteered to do Lady Mack.
worth the service of saving her gems
for her.
Mr.. Vanderbilt was absolutely un.
perturbed. In my eyes he was the fig.
ure Of a gentleman waiting
edly for a train. He had on a dark
striped suit, and was without a cap or
other head covering.
Frohman's End Was Peace.
Vanderbilt, the sportsman, is gone.
Genial Charles Klein. the playwright
is gone. That crratic American III.
orary genius, Ebert Hubbard, is gone.
and with him a wife to whom he seem.
cd particularly devoted. And Charles
Frohrnan is gone.
"Frohman's "a" the only body ]
could recognize in the Queenstown
mortuary, and perhaps It will interest
his many friends in London and New
York to know that the famous man.
ayers face in death gives uncommon.