The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-07
Miss Zenobia Harrison of Fort Deposit Awarded Coveted Prize For UnseIfish Devotion Beyond Scope of Regular Duties

Zenobia Harrison, an operator or pany at Fort Deposit, has been awarded citation and a Theodore N. Vail medal for coolness and cour- age during fire, under conditions that were peculiarly dangerous and trying.
 Thirteen other Bell telephone em- ployes in the south have been award ed similar citations and Vail medal for unselfish deeds, courage and re- sourcefulness in saving life, protect Ing property, restoring service and for other conspicuous acts beyond the scope of their regular duties.
 To be awarded the Vail medal is one of the highest honors a Bell tele- phone employe can win. Funds for this purpose and the plan under which awards are made was established Tn memory of the late Theodore N. Vail and was largely contributed to by Mrs. Vail in recognition of her late husbands interest in perpetuating the fine traditions of the Bell system.
 The citation is as follows:
 Citation: For coolness and cour-
  protection of property, and the con tinuance of an important public serv- ice. under conditions peculiarly try ing.
 While in charge of the central of flee on the morning of December Is. 1921, she learned that the dormitory Of the county high school, only a block away, was on fire.
 Acting on her own initiative, she promptly flashed the news to every subscriber in an effort to warn resi- dents of the danger to their own homes and to summon all possible as- sistance for the fire brigade in fight Ing the flames, remaining at the switchboard although the fire was spreading rapidly and buildings on all sides of the central office were in flames.
 "Her courage in doing so Is all the more remarkable in view of the fact that a quantity of gasoline had been stored on the lower floor of the build ing in which she was at work. also that a high wind was rapidly bring ing the flames nearer.
 "Her heroism and devotion to the service throughout this emergency were characteristic of the fine tradi-
 
 Other Bell telephone employees in the south who have been awarded citations and medals for similar acts are:
 Anthony Benedict Sylvia, plant man, DeLand, Fla, for urageous and resourceful action In rescuing a helpless invalid from burning build ing at tho risk of his own life.
 Joel Hobson Hyde, repairman, Char leston, S. C.. for coura ageous and re- conduct, exemplifying de- yotion to duty under conditions of extreme and manifest peril, where his effort involved the restoration of an public service, and resulted In the loss of his life.
 Joseph T. Henderson, night operator Ridge exchange, Chattanooga, Tenn. for an unselfish deed beyond the scope of assigned duties, performed under conditions requiring unusual fortitude.
 Ruth V. Williams, night operator, Iattiesburg, Miss, for initiative and good judgment displayed in protect ing the property of subscriber
 Lane Foster. plant man. Columbia, Miss, for resourceful and intelligent action in obtaining medical aid for a woman in great physical distress. un- der difficult and dangerous condi- tions.
 John R. N. Skinner. manager. Co., iumbia, Miss. for conspicuous pro- ficiency in first aid. resulting in the saving of human life.
 Robert W. Taylor. foreman. Win ona, Miss. for courageous and re- conduct and devotion to duty involved in the restoration of