Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 147, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 June 1912 — Page 2

HEROIM of a GUNNER'S MATE

.HERE Is hardly a month goes by that we do not read of some heroic deed having been performed by some one or more of our brave bluejackets, and of his being rewarded by a letter of commendation from the secretary of ' the navy, or if the deed

was of such heroic qualities as to i merit special attention, by receiving the American medal of honor from the hands of the president of the United States. The American medal of honor ranks with the Victoria cross of England, or the Iron cross of Germany, 'and It is as hard, if not harder, to win. This medal always carries with it a gratuity of SIOO, but to either man or officer it means a good deal more. The pathway for a medal ,of * honor men is made easier to advancement, and an enlisted man who is a holder of one of these medals may take examination for warrant officer, no matter what his present rating. There are cases, however, where heroic deeds have been performed that have not been made the subject of a report, sometimes through Ignorance of the dangers experienced or of all the conditions. There is the case of James F. Scott, a gunner’s mate on the U. S. S. Montgomery, who, knowing of his danger, obeyed orders and went to the bottom of Narragansett bay in a diving suit, after a lost torpedo, which had slowly sunk after being fired from a submerged tube, and which might start off at any moment. Down he went and found the torpedo resting In a dangerous position, but approaching carefully he’ Inspected it, and thinking it still dangerous Parent up and reported conditions. He was again ordered down to fasten a line to it, and he went—but let him tell his own story. Torpedo Practice. ! “It was on Aug. 24, 1009. and we were firing torpedoes on the range In Narragansett Bay. I was working in tile forward torpedo room preparing an 18-inch Whitehead torpedo for firing from the submerged tube. The torpedo was set to run 4,000 yards at 27 knots per hour. We made all the adjustments and placed the torpedo in the tube ready for firing. Having prepared the torpedo for the run I was naturally interested In its performance, and went to the forec'stle to watch it. The gunner remained below to see that all went right, as he torpedo was to be fired from the bridge-firing, apparatus. The torpedo left the ship without turning over its engines, but went about 56 yards with its own initial impulse headway and then slowly sank to the bottom in about 44 feet of water. Boats were called in from the range and buoys were dropped over the spot where the torpedo sank. The diving launch was prepared and ordered away from the ship. I did practically all the diving on the Montgomery for lost torpedoes, so it was I who went out with the diving launch. We get $1.20 an hour extra pay for diving, you know. “Well, the executive officer from the ship had semi bubbles rising to the surface from the escaping air of the torpedo and was in a terrible hurry to get after It. I knew that it was dangerous to go after a torpedo that had went to the bottom the way this one had. It might start off at any minute, and besides it would probably float of its own accord by the way the air was escaping from it. You know the compressed-air charge gives a torpedo negative buoyancy, but When a certain amount would leak out ihe torpedo would have positive buoyancy end rise to the surface. This was understood, but it was insisted that I go down, although I stated that we did not generally dive for torpedoes that sank like this one did. It was thought, however, that the torpedo might get adrift and that it would be all right for me to go down If I went right away. * Was Gaining Buoyancy. “So I went out In the boat and donned the diving suit Before the helmet was put on, I told them I would find the torpedo first and look over the ground and then come up Jor a line to pot on It Going down I followed the buoy line. The water sms not very clear and I couldn’t see wore than a few feet but Just before l touched bottom the bead of the tormedo appeared right before my eyes, 2d I thoimht that It was already on y.. * i

its way up, but when my feet touched bottom I realized my mistake. “The torpedo was only four or five feet away and resting at an angle upon its tail, the head slowly swaying in the water. It showed me that it was rapidly gaining positive buoyancy. I stood still for two or three minutes to let the mud settle and the water clear so that I could see what I was going to do. My feet had sunk into the mud over the tops of my diving shoes; it was always hard walking down there. I took my time and looked the torpedo over, carefully noting that the propeller lock was off —for sometimes it is accidently left on and that sinks the torpedo—and that the starting lever had been tripped and also that the leak around the stop valve was letting air out. We always leave a leak there intentionally. Noting these things I then knew that either the main engine had stuck or the main valve had.failed to function. I knew that a little air might set the engine going, but was afraid to try this, for if those propellers got me —!

“After a moment of reflection I carefully stepped up to the torpedo and put both my hands on its afterbody and lifted it bodily but easily above my head; this was quite easy, as the iorpedo was rapidly gaining buoyancy, but it sank slowly back to the bottom. This was a very dangerous thing to do, knowing that the ton* pedo was charged and that the stop valve was open and no lock on tha propellers, but I reasoned that perhaps with a little start it would go up. I now took the 50-pound weight, which was acting as anchor for the buoy and placed it at the, tail of the torpedo and signaled to <|bme up. “I was hauled slowly to the surface, and after my helmet was removed I stated conditions to the gunner in the boat. I told him I thought that the torpedo would soon float, and this was megaphoned to the ship. On the ship a little conference was held. Orders soon came to go down again and make the buoy line fast to the tail of the torpedo after removing the weight. “Well, once more I donned the big brass helmet and stepped off the ladder into the waters of the bay and followed the buoy line to the torpedo. Soon it appeared before me, a great steely, ■vthlte-looking devil which reminded me of the cold whiteness of a shark. It was about as I left it, but I tarried to look It over carefully again. ';While I was examining the torpedo It so happened that one of the torpedo boats from- the torpedo station was coming up. the range at full speed. This being noticed from the Montgomery a signal was sent to her to go farther off, but the torpedo boat not thoroughly comprehending the signal and not seeing the diving launches it was on the opposite side froiq them —kept coming on until she passed the bow of the Montgomery when they noticed that there was a diver down. The torpedo boat immediately swung around sharply away from the launch and stopped her engines. but a large swell resulted which gave motion to the water even oh the bottom and sprayed the torpedo, causing it to bounce up and down on the bottom. I felt the motion in the

water and remained away from the torpedo. “What next happened occurred so suddenly and quickly that I have not a clear recollection of it, except that instinctively I knew the torpedo had started off at full speed and threw out my hands to save myself, that is, to push the torpedo away from my body, as its tall swung toward me. My handß encountered the afterbody and the propellers chopped them up. The torpedo rapidly gained speed and Bhot to the surface with tremendous force, passing within a short distance of the man tending the lines and air hose, and rushed -20 feet into the air, then curving down into the water ran off down the course, diving in and out of the water. The men in the launch were so excited that for the moment they forgot themselves and fell away from the pump, leaving it stopped for a moment.

His Air Stopped. rt As soon as I failed to hear the old familiar chug chug of the pump I thought that the air hose had been cut by the propellers of the torpedo and closed the relief valve to save what air I had in the suit, and was going to try to remove my shoes. (The water was so muddy that I could not see whether the hose had fallen to the bottom or ribt.) As I was closing the relief valve I noticed that my hands were mangled and I was soon much relieved to feel them hauling me to the surface. Going up I kicked my legs to Bee if I could tell if they were also cut. It happened that T came up under the wrong side of the ladder, and had to work myself around it with my elbows. As soon as I had got clear I held my hands up so that the men in the launch could see that I could not help myself. “When the torpedo had shot out of the water there was a great commotion on hoard the Montgomery. One calm and collected officer cried out: ‘For God’s sake, pull the diver up!’ He then ran to the gun deck of the ship and, meeting the doctor, began dragging him without further ceremony toward the gangway. The doctor did- not know what the matter was, but the other persisted in dragging him on, telling him as rapidly as possible.” By the time the doctor arrived at the launch the men had the diver into the boat and were cutting the suit from him. The doctor quickly applied tourniquets to Scott’s arms and he was taken to the ship in the steam launch. As soon as possible Scott was placed on the operating table and put under chloroform, while one finger was removed and the others sewed np. Scott was bom In Charlestown, Mags., but later lived in Woburn, and was the son of J. F. Scott of that city. Both his parents are dead snd he is at present still in the service

Yes. Pity the Rich.

“It is a terrible thing,” said the prisoner, “to be known by a number instead of a name, and to feel that all my life I shall be an object of suspicion among the polioe." “But yon will not be alone, my friend,” replied the philanthropic visitor; “the same thing happens to people who own automobiles.”

REAL LOUNGING PLACE

MAKS THE PORCH AS COMFORT* ABLE A 8 POSSIBLE. All Manner of Inexpensive Conveniences Can Be Made to Contribute to the Happiness of the Fam- 1. ■ ily During the Bummer. Because the porch of tiie summer cottage is the real lounging placg for the family, it should be made as comfortable as possible with all manner of Inexpensive conveniences. If the master of the house has the ingenuity to rig up a swing couch by means of a set of single bed springs, four stout ropes and a can of paint, be sure to. have one of those contrivances. Otherwise have a couch of rattan with an adjustable headpiece, but lacking the money to afford that, a canvas army cot may be substituted, as when Its wooden legs are painted it will look very well indeed. Next come the lounging chairs, which if low and roomy need not be expensive, provided they are prettily painted in white, with pale green or pink or yellow and have cushioned backs. What makes so many cheap porch chairs uncomfortable is their hard backs, which should be covered with adjustable cushions filled with pine needles—a filling which is cheap and can be periodically replaced. But If cushioned chairs are considered Insanitary or disliked for any other reason, the porch furnisher should get a collection of canvas steamer chairs. The porch table should be a substantial affair which cannot be blown over by a high wind and large enough to. serve a meal upon. Bettef than rattan or splint is the attractively painted kitchen table, whose legs have been amputated a third of their length, so that its surface shall pot be above the easy reach of a person sitting in a low chair. t ” —-3— —. A tall screen of the four leaf order is always a convenience on a porch, as with it any specially disordered corner may be instantly concealed at tiie approach of unexpected visitors. Have the frame of this screen of hardwood so that It shall not easily blow over, paint it in the color scheme of the porch furnishings and cover it with whatever fabric is to be, the material for the dozens of'oblong, square and round pillows which are to be everywhere in evidence.

AIL AROUND the HOUSE

A fine grater is better than a knife for removing the surface of anything that.is burned. When hot cloths are needed, instead of wringing them out of boiling war ter, heat them in a steamer. Clever little utensils of sjnall price made of hinged strips of sheet iron come for handling hot dishes in the kitchen. Cut sheets of tinfoil and place under the flower vase doilies, and you will have no trouble with any dampness affecting the best polished furniture. Nothing Is more objectionable than a sponge that has become slimy, t To remedy this soak It in strong borax ’water, wringing it out, and renewing the water until clean. When making pies, before baking, put two or three pieces of macaroni in the center of the crust, so ass to allow the steam to escape without the juice running over the top. if a porcelain baking dish becomes discolored on the Inside, fill it with buttermilk and let stand for two or three days. The add in the milk will remove all semblance of stain. To clean the greasy oven take a bucket of strong soda water, a long brush, such as is used for cleaning carriage wheels, soap this and rub thoroughly the roof, sides and floor of the oven, rinsing it with the soda water. Take out the oven sheets and wash them; also the door, rinse each part thoroughly, with the soda water aud leave the oven open till all is dry,

Strawberry Cream Pie.

Line a deep pie tin with rich paste, prick several time with a fork and bake until light browned. Beat the white .of one egg to a froth, add onehalf pint of heavy cream, beat until stiff, sweeten slightly and flavor with lemon or orange. Fill the pastry shell with fine ripe strawberries which have been cut “in halves and sweetened, then cover with the cream and serve at once.

Collar Fasteners.

Patent gloves fasteners, or snaps, as they are sometimes called, are best to fasten the lace or net standing collar of the dress. They do not catch or pull the hair and -obviate the use of pins. ,

Well Fitting Shoulders.

The secret of well fitting shoulders Is to stretch the front and hold the back' loose in basting the shoulder seams. The fact that a shoulder is concave in front and convex in the back gives the reason claimed for this.

Always Sure Sponge Cake.

Poor eggs, well beaten, one cap granulated sugar, one cup gifted pastry flour, one teaspoon baiting powder, one teaspoon lemon extract . • £■ ' U " '

ESKIMOS TAUGHT IDEALS OF LIFE

DR. AND MRS. EDGAR 0. CAMPBELL of St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, who have been spending a few weeks in the states, are enjoying their second vacation since 1901, when they went there to engage in social work among the Eskimos. Thrtr work is similar to that of Dr. Grenfell, though their Isolation is even greater than that of the workers on the coast of Labrador. Situated in the Behring Sea, two hundred miles from Nome and forty miles from Siberia, in the shadow of the Arctic Circle, St. Lawrence is inaccessible eight months in the year, and the other four the only connection with the outside world is the arrival of the United States revenue cutter, the supply ship, and a chance whaler now and then, and on one or two occasions a gasoline boat from Nome.

The island Is a government reindeer reservation and the most remote station of Alaska except Point Barrow, Which is the northernmost post office In the world. Yet Point Barrow has a reindeer mail service three times In the winter, while St. Lawrence has but one regular mail A year. “As you know,” said Dr. Campbell, *1 am employed by the government to teach the Eskimos and superintend the care of the reindeer. For flVe years my wife, who had been reared In Southern California, where she never saw a snow fall, was the only white woman on the Island, but when we returned ( from our first vacation the government sent with us a lady assistant teacher. “There is no authority on the island.” continued the doctor, “religious or civil.” The man who catches the most whale may be called chief, but he has no more control than others. The devil-doctors have a certain kind of power through their sorceries, by working on the fears and superstitions of the people, but not otherwise. The language is not that of the Eskimos of the mainland, but of Siberia.” Dr. Campbell has done what no man has ever done before, for he has reduced their vocabulary to a written language—and has published a booklet containing the alphabet, pictures of simple objects ahd translations from the Bible. It is a language of many syllables. A eentence of six English words of one syllable each, has twenty-three syllables in Eskimo. Tho Whole Thing.

In the absence of mayor, council, school board, police force. lighting, water and sanitary commissioners, banker,, architect and builder, blacky smith ahd the rest. Dr. Campbell attends to any sucb matters as may arise in addition to being physician, surgeon, school teacher, preacher, and reindeer superintendent. He has a most able assistant in Mrs. Campbell, who has thrown herself, heart and soul into the work. "What do we teach the natives?” asked Mrs. Campbell. “O, everything, from bow to wash their faces, to a knowledge of God," she explained. "They must be taught the simplest things —to cook and sew and wash their clothes and care for the children and clean their houses and keep their bodies free from vermin. , ■ “But few of them have stoves In which bread can be baked, and' for fuel for thes£ the men go in their boats fifty or seventy-five miles for drift wood.” Mrs. Campbell was trying one time to persuade the women to discard the Salome Indoor costume—which, in their case often consisted of little more than a string of beads, in favor of tbe American costume. She was told “we're too poor, if you’ll give us clothes we’ll wear them.” Upon being told they should trade their water boots to the whalers for clothing instead of tobacco, they said “well, par stomachs like tobacco.” ' “Besides the time and peril of securing the seal skins, and curing than and making the thread, it takes a woman two or three days to make a pair of boots and fire -pair of these they will trade for a box of tobacco,” said Mrs. Campbell! "The first few years there was a great deal of drunkenness, but be* tween the doctor and the government It has been almost entirely eliminated.” / Once when Or. Campbell searched

a boat in which some Siberian Eskimos had arrived, he found a quantity of whisky which he poured on the ground. . Before he knew what was happening he was struck down, trampled upon and several /ribs and '■ his nose were broken. It might have been very serious for the doctor, had it not been for a shipwrecked whaling crew in camp on the Island, which came to his assistance. “It was in the night time, and the Siberians had brought some of their people who were sick over to the doctor for medical treatment. And when I awoke to see my husband standing In the door, covered with blood, surrounded by strange Eskimos, I was very much alarmed for a moment." Reindeer Industry. In regard to the reindeer industry Dr. Campbell Is. very optimistic, notwithstanding an effort was made a few years ago to discredit the whole venture. “The government established a herd of seventy deer on the Island in 1900,” he Bays "and it now numbers six hundred ahd eighty, and many have been killed for food and clothing. This may not be done at will, but is entirely under government regulation. “Only about thirty-five at present belong to the government, the 'rest having , been given out to the herders in lieu of wages. Our chief herder, Sapillu, has 200 head from his earnings and their increase. “The teaching in the public school is not unlike ours, including industrial training and music. In addition to this the schoolhouse, which is also our home, is open to the public evenings and Is a social center in the fullest sense. From it emanates the Industrial, educational, business, social and religions life of the people. “Besides the regular school course there is a good work bench, blacksmith outfit, grindstone, stocks and dies, polishing lathe (for polishing ivory), fur-sewing machine, laundry and organ always ready for any one to use" ', • ,i One of Dr. Campbell’s pet schemes is the Building and Loan Association, which several young men have already established and built sanitary cabins for themselves and wives. Dr. and Mrs. Campbell are social workers of the most approved standard, developing the native and domestic arts, teaching sanitation and hygienic living and inculcating moral principles, in addition to public school instruction and medical care. What this means to this most restricted and wretched of peoples, Is beyond our comprehension, they say.

Artificial Lakes.

A German investigator has found that the large artificial lakes formed for irrigation purposes or to supply water -for large cities, are not without Influence on the climate of the surrounding locality. In one instance’ that came under his notice, there has been during the. ten years since the dam was constructed and the lake formed, a decrease of 1.1 degree Fahrenheit in the average monthly difference between maximum and minimum temperatures. In the neighborhood of another lake the number of foggy days has Increased from the average of fifty-seven each year to eighty-six. The German investigator says that this increase can be assigned to no other cause than the creation of the great artificial lake and tbe consequent increased evaporation in the locality.—Popular Mechanics.

Not the Shees' Fault

This Incident should never have happened at all, because It’s so terrible, but it did happen, and this is a newspaper, of course. So the bad news and the good most both be printed. The two girls were talking to the man. And the man said, in order to make conversation: ' %' * “I notice that Mies Binke Is limping this evening. Has she sprained her ankle?” “No,” said the first girl, smiling. “Her shoes are too small for her—don’t you think so?*’ “Nothing of the kind!" answered the second girt. “How can you say such a thing? Her shoes aren’t a bit too small—they’re the biggest size made. It teat her fault He/ feet «N too tt»f» «Ut-