Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1921-12-19
Vail Medal
Presented
To Woman
Telephone Officials and the
Neighbors Of Homer Hero.
inc Pay Her Homage for
Saving Over 100 Lives.
Sons Proud Of Mother
BY ]. L. ARMSTRONG.
Staff Correspondeut Omuhn Bee,

iipiHNi VI lNN SloNll SpilS anu WV"
phone operator at Homer, Neb, was
a happy telephone worker today
when w. B. +. Belt oi Omaha, presi-
dent OF the Northwestern Bell Telc-
phone company, presented her with
gold medal and a cash award OF
81, 900, and citation.
Mrs. Lathrop, modest woman OF
retiring disposition, was the center
Of interest for crowd of more than
1000 persons who gathered in
Homer to pay homage to her brav-
cry.
She is credited with saving the
lives of more than 100 persons when,
on May 81, 1920, she risked her own
life by remaining at her post to
warn by telephone scores of families
of an approaching food. at didn't
seem to be such a wonderful thing
to do" Mrs. Lathrop said shyly.
Someone had to warn the people;
besides, two of my sons served in
the army overseas, why shouldn't |
be brave too?"
The mother seemed a bit abashed
by the presence of large group OF
notables, and by the great crowd
which had assembled in her ordinari-
ly quiet home town. Gov. S. r.
Mckelvie, Fl. G. Taylor, chairman of
the Nebraska State Railway commits
sion, and a score OF Omaha Mime
apolis and Chicago telephone officials
were among those present.
- Towns Biggest Day.
Homer's population was at least
doubled by the crowds which came
for the presentation ceremonies. The
principal street was crowded with All
tomobiles and pedestrians, and a fes-
tive spirit prevailed. 1t was a big
day for Homer, one of the biggest
days in the towns history; even
Mayor Thomas Ashford admitted
that. Flags waved in the streets, and
the Wakefield band played.
Following a parade from the dc
pot, presentation ceremonies took
place at Farmers Exchange hall.
which was crowded to capacity
| The story of Mrs. Lathrop's brav-
cry, as told by residents in the vi
cinity, rivals fiction. Mrs. Lathrop
was awakened at 2 in the morning
by a call from Mrs. John D. Thack-
er on a farm several miles up Oma-
ha creek. She sat lightly clad at her
switchboard until the rushing flood
waters covered the floor of the lit
tie office and mounting steadily.
washed over the shelf of the SWITCH
board, waist high, putting the wires
out of service.
Refused to Leave Post.
Begging and pleading with the
telephone subscribers, many OF
whom would not at first believe her
warning, to flee for their lives. she
refused to leave her post. One of
her sons, with tears in his eyes. i'm
plored her to think of her own safe
ty, but in vain.
After rs minutes, when the flood
put the telephone wires out of serv
ice, she was forced to wade through
water to her breast in order to reach
place of safety in building across
the street. As she pulled herself 10
on the steps of the building a small
frame house next to the telephone
office was washed away. Engineers
declare that during the flood of
Omaha creek water reached the
depth OF eight feet in the streets Of
Homer. About Is houses were swept
away, the worst disaster of its kind
IN the history of northeastern Ne
braska.
y Given National Award.
The Vail medal and the cash
award presented to Mrs. Lathrop is
a national award, given by the
American Telephone & telegram
company. 1t was inaugurated at the
request of Mrs. Vail, widow of the
late Theodore N. Vail. as a means
OF carrying out his ideas of public
service. ."-
Mrs. Lathrop also was awarded
bronze medal by the. Northwestern
bell company, as was Frank H. For
rest, manager for that company at
Dakota City. who also distinguished
himself during the Homer flood bv
rushing through the rising waters to
Homer from Dakota City, and
establishing phone connection
through which help was obtained
tor the stricken town. Mr.. Forrest
also was presented with a silver
medal, the secondary Vail award for
heroism. and $3.50.
Creek Now Tame"
As the ceremonies progressed
Omaha creek, which had devastated
the town. rippled quietly down its
narrow channel. 1t seems tn ne
chuckling over the prank it played
on Homer in 1926.
The ceremonies at the Farmers
exchange hall started with music bv
the Brown family orchestra, followed
by invocation by the Rev. o. r
Lowe, pastor OF the English Lu-
theran church.
Mayor Ashford made an address
OF welcome. He declared Homer
was Justly proud of "Millie" Lath-
rop and Mr.. Forrest. Residents of
Homer and the vicinity, he said. an
preeiate their long and faithful serv-
ice, as well as bravery on the night
OF the flood.
The Human Element in Public
Utility Service" was the subiec, OF
Chairman Taylor's talk. Governor
Mokelvie talked on "Nebraska's
Heroic Citizenship Guy II. Pratt.
vice president of the Northwestern
Bell company, discussed the signih-
eance OF the Vail memorial funds
and awards A. A. Lowman, vice
president and general manager OF