South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-04-23

Huge Audience in
Fitting Tribute
To George Cooper
Athlete HOnOred in Public
ReceptiOn-DOnOvan
Pays Homage.

X was Cooper Night" at the High
School auditorium Friday from start
TO finish Never before in the his
tory OF South Bend has a man ever
been lauded to such heights and
given such an ovation.
The floor space Of the commodi-
Gus hall was crowded with people
who turned out for the reception.
The two center aisles were reserved
for the Boy Scouts. while the front
center aisle seats were occupied by
delegation OF NOtre Dame students.
High school students scattered every
where, while people In all walks OF
life were present TO do honor to the
Indian lake hero.
The Studebaker band occupied the
stage. along with a large delegation
Of Representatives from various
clubs. societies and religious organi-
cations.
Herring Lands Cooper.
George a. Cooper, the hero OF the
occasion. had a seat in the center OF
the stage and was flanked by his
prominent bodyguard.
The speaker OF the night. Hon.
Frank Herring. delivered an address
IN which he encominunized Cooper
and the particular moral and physl-
cal virtues which made his act pos
sible. He stated that men like
Cooper supply the fbers Of a nation
and that it should be the ambition
Of every youth to be able TO respond
in the noble style OF the physical
director whenever the great call
came 10 save a life. He briefly
sketched Cooper's life. saying that
he was born in Dakota and was
self-made man in every respect. par
ticularIy lauding the modesty OF the
hero.
He enumerated Cooper's wonder
ful physical achievements. mention
ing that he was. in addition to being
a champion swimmer, also n crack
boxer, and had thrown former
wrestling champion Of the state Of
Texas at Camp Eberhardt for the
national army championship Of the
southwest.
Cooper. he said, would have made
a wonderful fighter had he gone to
France, but conditions made it nee
essary, in virtue OF his unusual abil-
ity as an instructor. TO remain in
this country during the war.
In closing. he presented Cooper
with a gold South Bend watch pur-
| chased by the contributions OF vari-
Gus societies in the city.
He stated that a Latin inscription
had been placed on the timepiece.
"Semper Fidelis'-Always Faithful.
which fitly epitomized the high re-
gard in which the young man would
forever be held in this city
Auditors Pay Homage.
Cooper was then introduced and
made a few remarks in which he
! thanked the people for their appre-
citation Of his work He stated that
it was Of the utmost importance that
every boy should know how TO swim
in order TO acquit himself success
fully if ever the occasion arose TO
save another's life. and concluding
said that he felt the matter too
deeply at the present time to say
anything more.
AS he sat down three long gales
] or applause swept over the house
and the audience arose to its feet in
! homage.
W. NJ. Danner, jr., general Sc
/ cretary Of the Y. NJ C.. A., at tn
beginning of the meeting announced
the general PURPOSE Of it as doing
public appreciation of Cooper's work
! and also OF perpetuating the quail
tiles OF Cooper which made his act
possible. This will be brought
about he said, by the trust fund
which has been created. the income
! CCONTTNUED on PAGE FOUR)