The Cotton Factory Times. — 1902-02-21 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

DIVED INTO LIQUID POISON. TO RESCUE A SUICIDE.  A story true in every detail, and as exciting and sensational as any ever written in novel form, has just been told to a representative of the London "Sun" by an ex-police officer of the Metropolitan force. His name is Alexander Robert Heffernan, of 53, Archel Rd., Fulham, who, at the early age of 36, finds himself a police pensioner, and the bolder of a certificate for bravery from the Royal Humane Society. He is a most extraordinary mau, as the following details of his career will show._ Said he to an interviewer _ _  "We—the Heffernans—are quite a coldieri family, I married a soldier's daughter and each of my sisters is the wife of a soldier. I was in the North Staffe. Infantry Regiment—better known as "the 64th "—for twelve years, and went through the Zulu campaign, during which, on one occasion, Cetewayo's son, with an enormous army of gigantic black warriors, made us run. It was a good job we did too, for we were fearfully outnumbered, and had we not retreated, there would not have been one of nu left alive. Elowever, in the end we carne out all right; and in 1891 I came home from Africa, and joined the Metropolitan police force.  "I was always a good athlete. They made me one of the T Division Metropolitan Police Cricket Team the very year I joined. I bowled in every match, usually taking the largest number of wickets, and I made the record number of top scores. The District Railway Cricket Team also used to get me to play for them. At Stamford Bridge ,thlete Gronuds I won a number of prizes as an all-ronnd athlete in various clubs that hold their meeting there, and won so many events at the police sports that I WAS eventually handicapped out of existence so to speak, in order to give others a chance. I was made to give 24 yards in the 100 yards sprint, and 360 in the mile. "As a swimmer I won many competitions, beating all comers in the City Police swimming events. In consequence of my successes I was asked to compete against the two crack swimmers of the Police of all England—Drake and Bryan', of the Manchester Force. I did so, and I beat Bryars. Drake omover, was a little too good for me. He was a masteiniece; and 1 believe is still the crack swimmer of the English police. By beating Bryan I gained the position of second best."  "And how did you come to have to be pensioned off?' queried the reporter. "Ah, replied the ex-constable. "It was all through that affair in the Regent's Cabal. It was on the afternoon of February 280, 1897. I was 04 duty, when I was told that a man bad jumped into the tiegent's Canal. Rnshing to the place I threw off my overcoat, and dived in to rescue him. The water at that point is made very poisonous by the refuse from the chemical works and the gasworks in the district draining into it, and the chemicals were fizzing and spluttering in the water all around us as we struggled. I was struggling in the poisonous water for twenty minutes. The man cursed ice terribly, and eoutinaed to try and free himself in order to jump back into the water, even when I got him on the bank. It was some time before I could get my wet clothes changed. and I caught a terrible chill. But that was not the worst of it. The poison had got into my system, and the stuff which killed the man I had rescued—for be lied a few weeks after from poisoning—nearly killed ale too I I began by being unable to digest my food, or even to keep it on my stornacb. As soon as I had taken a meal I vomited it all back again. Of course I was placed on the sick list, and the police doctor toll me that the poison in the water, which I had swallowed, had completely destroyed the coating of my stomach. The police were very kind to me, and sent rue down to the Convalescent Home at Brighton twice. After the second visit I had to go back to my own home very bad indeed. I was so weak that when I attempted to walk I went blind, and had to cling to anything near me to prevent me from falling. I had fearful night. sweats, and would often be seized with a kind of cramp, which seemed to be in my very bones. I could not retain fool or nourishment, except in minute quantities—jest enough so keep me alive. "I next went into Brampton Hospital, end there they declared it impossible to satisfactorily diagnose my ailments. For two years I remained in the police force, suffering In this way, and during the two years I was only able to pot in three months duty! Seeing that I was practically done for, in January. 1891, I was given a special pension, and retired from the force. (The following is a copy of Pension Certificate).  5904 Metropolitan Venice. THIS is to certify that Alexander Robert Heffernan, K or Bow Division. joined the Metropolitan Police, as Constable. on the 25th day of January. 1692. and resigned hie situation on the 28th day of January. 1805 t. having being granted Special Pension of £24 19s. 3d. per annum. The above Pension is granted on account of injuries received by the Constable in ti e execution of his duty. His conduct ivas generally good. The Pension vrfll be paid to the Pensioner (by the Heoeiver for the Metropolitan Police District) in accordance with ragaintioms of the Secretary of Slate, and ft cannot be Limo:lel as security fer a loan of money. • Ginn under my Hand. end Snail of the ileSsopolitan Pollee. { SEAL ,CreerSzell Wells, Superintenient. !Assistant Coinnaissioner A. C. Howard, 0f Poee of the Metropolis.