Philly Scouts Off To New York - New York Sun 17 July 1912

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Dennis F Butler - "Denny's Children" Exhibit - Inquirer 30 July 1911

Dennis F. Butler - "Denny's Children" Exhibit - Inquirer 30 July 1911

"DENNY'S CHILDREN" EXHIBIT

Popular Policeman's Protege Have Athletic Carnival

With their mothers, elder sisters and brothers looking on, the members of the "Denny" Butler's Boys and Girls' Athletic Association gave their last indoor exhibition of the summer in the small gymnasium fitted up in the cellar of the bluecoat's home, 229 Lombard street. yesterday afternoon.
Boxing bouts between boys ranging in size from tots who could scarcely lift the eight-ounce glove to youth who handled themselves in true professional fashion, wrestling matches and gymnastic exhibitions were features of the entertainment, while the Honolulu Orchestra, composed of three-string musicians from far off Honolulu, played native selections.
Louis Goshing and Isaac Whitman wrestled cleverly for thirteen minutes, at the end of which the foreman secured a fall. The girls were interested spectators, and two of them, Annie and Minnie Gilbert, acted as seconds.
Preparations are being made by "Denny" Butler for an outing to Red Bank, N.J. on August 14, and for two porch parties on August 21 and August 27.

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Japanese Party on Young & McShea's Pier - Atlantic City Daily Union - July 13-14,1893

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2040 Market Street - 2009

My first job after high school was in customer service at AAA Keystone Insurance 2040 Market street in the early 70's. Quite an isolated part of downtown back then. Girard Bank in storefront SW corner opposite to cash paycheck on payday. Worked in the basement with no windows. The most disorienting thing to get used to in the world was going back to lunch with sunshine outside and coming out at 5 o'clock into the middle of a thunder storm. Never would work in anyplace without a window or below ground after that. (Photo - Google 2009)


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Scouts Escorting Colonel Roosevelt - Broad Street - March 1913

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Fox Theatre Building Sixteenth and Market Streets Philadelphia - Moving Picture World - January 5, 1924 (Deux)

Furnished Boxes

Front of Balcony Showing Loge Seats

The Women's Rest Area

A Portion of Orchestra Seating

Mezzanine Lounge 

House Viewed From Stage

Ptojection Room

https://phillyandstuff.blogspot.com/2019/02/fox-theatre-moving-picture-world.html



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Mike Donovan vs. Jimmy Murray - Middleweight Championship Fight - Smith's Island, Delaware River - circa 1873

Smith and Windmill Islands (top),
Delaware River off Philadelphia
Removed by Federal Gov't 1894

..."I got sick of the gang I traveled with in New York, and, knowing that Ned O'Baldwin was in Philadelphia, I went there.

"After a short time I succeeded in getting a match for the middleweight championship with Jimmy Murray, who then held that title.

"Murray was a wonderful athlete. He could do many things. He could put the shot, and he could also jump backwards further than any man I ever saw. He could jump backwards ten feet without weights in his hands. He could jump on a bar in a saloon backwards, and jump over a bar front- wards without touching his hands to it.

"I have a painting of him that I would not take a thousand dollars for.

"As soon as Jimmy Murray and I were matched, Ned O' Baldwin and I started around the country giving boxing exhibitions. ...

"The fight took place (on Smith's Island) a short distance from Philadelphia.

"We didn't pitch a ring, for fear of the police. The crowd of sports that had assembled from various directions formed the ring by grasping fingers with arms folded across the chest.

"I found Murray the hardest-fisted man I ever fought. His blows hurt me, and the scars you can see on my face and forehead now. My lips were all cut up and my nose was broken. I was awfully punished — blind as a bat for three days afterwards.

"The ring as formed by the crowd broke up after a while, but we fought in about a twenty-four- foot space.

"Barney McMullen was referee. Patty Ryan of Philadelphia and Pete King seconded me. Johnny Clark and one other, I have forgotten his name, seconded Murray.

"Murray weighed about one hundred and fifty- six pounds and I weighed about one hundred and forty-eight. He was eight pounds heavier than I and he was stronger, but I had the endurance. When the fight broke up at the arrival of the police I was as strong and confident as at the beginning. I had youth on my side.

"We were both good long-range fighters, and during the first part of the fight, we confined our attack to outfighting, but as the fight went on we warmed up to it and did considerable infighting. Jimmy was as good an infighter as I.

"One thing, I believe, helped me in this fight. I never could stand anything tight about my legs. I asked Mrs. Carol, my good friend, the boarding house keeper, what I could do about getting rid of the elastics around my stockings, and she fixed it by sewing buttons on them and making buttonholes in my breeches so I had no trouble about the circulation of blood in my legs. That has licked many a man.

"At the commencement of the forty-fourth round somebody yelled 'Police!' I dusted for the tall timber. Some jumped in boats, others ran across country; the crowd scattered in all directions.

"I hid in the woods. As I lay there I could hear them say: 'He is around here somewhere.'

"Finally a big Dutchman found me, and he said :

" 'Here he is,' and he grabbed me.

" 'Don't yank me like that.' I was sore ; and Sergeant Moore, whom I met many times afterward, said : 'Let go of that man ! He will go along with us.'

"I walked along quietly, and before I got across the river I was as blind as a bat.

"When we arrived at the station house, there was Jimmy Murray. They had caught him too. We were committed to Moyamensing, and were there four days.

"The jailer — I think his name was Dailey — had known me before, and he said when he saw me: 'You're a picture!'

"I said, 'Yes, I suppose so, but I will have to take your word for it. I can't see.'

"Murray and I were being led to a cell when the Headkeeper said : 'Don't put those two men in the same cell.'

"I remarked: 'Why not? We're not bad friends. We had all the fight we wanted this morning.' So they put us together, and we were there for four days.

"Murray took care of me as a mother would have taken care of a sick child. I had caught cold in my eyes and I was helpless. Jimmy would sit by the hour and bathe my eyes with water with a handkerchief he had obtained from the jailer.

"I was dying to get a look at him. On the fourth day I stretched the lid of one of my eyes so I could just peak out, and I closely scanned his face. There I saw lumps standing out all over his face. He had a harder face than I, and yet, during the fight, I couldn't notice that my blows had any effect. It seems that the swelling came afterwards.

"Well, I fell back and laughed heartily, happy as a lord.

" 'What are you laughing at, you swine?' he said.

" 'Jimmy, I'm satisfied,' I replied. 'I did some handiwork, anyway. I thought I had not punished you at all.'

" 'Well,' he said, 'is that what you have been thinking about the last three days I have been caring for you?'

"Murray and I were the best of friends ever after.

"Murray retired after this fight, taking a position in the Boxing and Fencing Club of Philadelphia."

(Source: Mike Donovan; the making of a man, by Marshall Stillman. 1918)

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To Jump From The Big Bridge - Paterson Daily Guardian - 8 June 1885

Dennis F. Butler, a brother-in-law of "Mike" Donovan, the well known Brooklyn "sport," is preparing to ump from the East River Bridge "one of these days" and says that Paul Boyton, Dr. O'Leary, of High street, Brooklyn, and John W. Barton, of Adam street, Brooklyn, are prepared to bet anything that the thing will be done. "This is no advertising job or anything of that kind," Dr. O'Leary said to a reporter. "Butler means business, and if you go down to the house you'll see whether I am not right."

Butter was found in a rather poorly furnished room at No, 33 Sands street, Brooklyn, diligently working on the curious wearing apparel which he says will insure him against all injury when he strikes the water. He is five feet ten inches in height, strong and wiry, and looks as if he never knew or cared for a knock down blow in the series of encounters he has had in the ring. He is twenty-seven years of age, weighs 156 pounds and is of dark complexion. "I jumped from Passaic Falls," he said, "last Summer, in the presence of 'Mike' Donovan and several others, and you know that is 90 feet.

I'll try how my apparatus works there, when I have it finished, then I'll go right down from the Brooklyn Bridge with the most absolute confidence. In 1875 I jumped from the derrick in the Navy Yard at Philadelphia into the Delaware, and that's 100 feet."   ...


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Excerpts Inquirer Obit - Undefeated Middleweight Champion Mike Donovan - 25 Mar1918

In his day Donovan taught the art of self-defense to more prominent men, including bankers, brokers, merchants and statesmen, than any other boxing professor in America. He was idolized by them all. for he was not only a great teacher, but a like-able man as well. One of his staunchest admirers was Theodore Roosevelt, who received his early physical training from Donovan. 

Donovan came to this city in 1873, where he married Miss Cecilia Butler and it was a most happy marriage. Fifteen children were born to them, nine of whom arc now alive, six girls and three boys.

Donovan's next stopping place was this city, and he soon became well known here. His first fight of note was with Jimmy Murray. It was called a draw after a battle of forty-three'rounds, lasting one hour and five minutes. The ring was pitched on Smith's Island, in the Delaware River, and the battle was for a purse of $100. The bout was witnessed by only a small crowd, because, the police had the tip and, many of the regulars remained away, fearing arrest. 

I spent the happiest days of my life in dear old Philly, and what great sessions we used to, have at Johnny Clark's, Arthur Chambers', Billy McLean's, McGees' on Second street, and the old Comique. In those days you could not get by with any four-flush methods. You had to get out and meet all comers, and some rare old birds they used to trot out to meet the champions who would go to Philadelphia, to fill a week's engagement at the different boxing resorts. Murray was one of the cleanest boxers I ever met and I shall never forget our fight on the island. We did not have a regular ring, but fought on the turf with the bare hands. 

The ring was formed by the crowd circling around us. It was a great fight, and one of the hardest I ever had, for I was almost blind from his blows. I still have some scars of that fight. Look here, look into the corners of my eyebrows, close to the bridge of my nose; see those two scars? Those are two places he cut me with those hard hands of his. 

Yes, we were both arrested and taken to Philadelphia. At the jail they wouldn't put Murray and myself in the same cell at first, because they believed we would continue the fight. I finally convinced the warden that I couldn't fight, even if I wanted to, because I could not see. It took me nearly four months to recover from that fight.
  

Library of Congress




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Butler's Swim (Misc. and Etc.) In New York Bay - The Brooklyn Union 30 Aug 1885

A tug and a barge, the latter gayly decorated with flags and bunting, lay for nearly an hour at the foot of Dock street, this city, yesterday afternoon, waiting for passengers. The barge had been chartered by Professor Dennis Butler, the swimmer, and was intended to convey the crowd that he expected to witness his great swim with Gus Sundstrom, swimming instructor of the New York Athletic Club, and Thomas Lestrange, a constable in Judge Courtney's court. The crowd, however, did not come, and at 2:45 the tug and barge crossed over to Pier 2, East river, Ne w York, to wait further developments. The race had been announced to take place at 4 P.M., but it was nearly 5 before there was any attempt made to move. At 4:30 Mr. Mike Donovan, of pugilistic fame, and Professor Butler came aboard and the fun began. Both of these professionals think, and, unless appearances are very much at fault, not without reason, that Sundstrom made a fizzle of the match yesterday, and by his strange conduct in not showing up at the time appointed for the swim imposed upon the public and played Butler a mean trick. 

Dennis Butler says that Sundstrom wanted him to throw the race, and that just as soon as he saw that he (Butler) meant business he backed down. Mike Donovan said that he had offered on last Friday night to bet Sundstrom $250 that Butler would beat him . Sundtstrom's brother, who was present on the boat yesterday, said that the reason his brother had not shown up was because be had been notified that if he contended yesterday with Butler he would lose bis place as swimming instructor of the Club. This excuse Butler and his friends think "just too thin for anything." 

Up to four o'clock the tickets for the match were offered for sale at 50 cents apiece. Not more than twenty-five persons passed the ticket-taker at this figure. At 4:30 o'clock the price of admission t o the barge was lowered to 25 cents, and it was announced that neither Sundstrom or Lestrange would swim, but that Butler would make a swim against time, and the amateur match would come off.

At the reduced rates, about 125 men and boys came aboard. Just before the boat swung out into the river Mr. Mike Donovan, in an unaccountable frenzy of generosity, threw the gate open and allowed over one hundred and fifty precocious "kids " who were standing on the dock to come aboard free. This last addition to the party filled the boat, but it did not add to the comfort of the other passengers. 

There were seven starters in the amateur race . Their names were Morris Doyle, M. Wayde, H. Joli, Mike Clifford, a Fulton street newsboy; "Con." Brady, of New York; Chris. Holderman and Carrie Falk, a girl 18 years of ago, a resident of NewYork. When time was called the girl made the first jump off the railing into the water , and struck out with a bold free stroke at 4:50:30 o'clock. The rest touched the water at 4:53. At 4:55 o'clock Butler himself leappd from the railing. The start was made right off Hall's baths, near the "Batery. Five of the swimmers threw themselves into the "rip tides" of Governor's Island, and were done for then and there, so far as the race was concerned. Most of them were taken into their accompanying rowboats after swimming but a short time. Brady, the girl, and Butler however, had better luck, and managed to keep in the current. 

At 5:40 o'clock Brady was opposite Fortieth Street, South Brooklyn, and was swimming with a strong breast stroke. Butler kept swimming along the Jersey side, and at 5:40 o'clock he was abreast of Upper Quarantine. He swam with regular over-hand strokes, about forty to the minute, with his head well out of the water. The girl, Carrie Falk, swam between Butler and Brady, about a quarter of a mile back of the latter, and she kept to her work with a nerve and regularity that was astounding. Joli was the first one of the swimmers to leave the water. He weakened at 5:40 o'clock, and he was followed by the rest except Butter, Brady and Falk. 

These three continued to keep gamely ahead for some time longer, When the swimmers were off Robbin's Reef Light, the tide began to turn, and a short time afterward Butler finding that he could not stand against the Strong flood tide, gave up, and was taken in, and the other two followed his example without much delay. Before Brady would leave the water he insisted upon having a drink and a chew. He was accommodated with the former. Morris Doyle was in bad luck. He lost the match and his clothes as well . He laid the latter in one of the small boats when he went in, but an unfriendly gust of wind lifted them out into the bay, and they went swimming on their own account. Morris was hustled borne under a piece of old sail-cloth by bis friends. 

The following is the record of the race: Butler left the water at 6:21 o'clock. He swam a distance of nine miles in one hour and twenty-six minutes. Brady left the water at 6:22 o'clock. He swam eight miles and a half in one hour and thirty minutes. Carrie Falk left the water at 7:05 o'clock. She was in the water two hours and fourteen minutes and thirty seconds. Morris was taken in at 6:46 o'clock. Butler was taken in just off Stapleton, Staten Island. He said the water in the bay yesterday was very cold, being as low as 63 degrees. The plucky Brooklyn swimmer deserves great credit for the manner in which he adhered to his part of the programme. Had Sundstrom done as much there would undoubtedly have been a great match. 


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Dennis F. Butler To Swim East River Hands Tied Behind his Back - The National Police Gazette 1 Aug 1885

At the "Police Gazette" office, July 16, a novel match was arranged for $500, $250 a side, between Thomas Dobbins, of Brooklyn, and Wm. K. Harding. The following articles were drawn up: 

Articles of Agreement entered into this sixteenth day of July, 1885, at the Police Gazette office between Thomas Dobbins, of Brooklyn, and Wm. K. Harding. The said Thomas Dobbins wagers $250 with William K. Harding that Prof. Dennis. F. Butler, the champion diver and swimmer, can swim across the East river, from Dover street, New York, to any part of the City of Brooklyn, the said Butler to have his hands tied behind and his feet bound. It is further agreed that Prof. Dennis F. Butler is to accomplish the feat on Monday July 20, rain or shine, or his backer shall forfeit the stakes, $250 a side. It is further agreed that the said Thomas Dobbins shall provide a boat and that Mr. E. F. Mallahan shall be referee. In pursuance of this agreement the sum of $100 is low posted with Richard K. Fox, who shall be final stakeholder. The second or final deposit of $150 a side must be posted at the Police Gazette office on Saturday, July 18, 1885, or the party falling to put up the final deposit to forfeit the money now held by Richard K. Fox. 
Witnesses : 
Thomas Dobbins. Dennis F. Butler. W. E. Harding. Mike Donovan. 



(The Brooklyn Union - 28 July 1885)

A QUEER SWIMMIMG FEAT. 

Dennis Butler Wriggles Across the East 

River with His Feet and Hands Tied. 

At a quarter to seven o'clock last evening Dennis F. Butler, his trainer, Mike Donovan, and a number of New York and Brooklyn sports steamed down the East River in a tug. When they had got as far as Wall street, a white rowboat was loosened from the stern of the tug and Mike Donovan climbed in, hoisted a red flag, and,with the help of two oarsmen received what appeared to be a huge bundle. The bundle was the swimmer Butler, and he was about to undertake the swimming of the East River with his hands and feet
tied.

It was 13 minutes before 7 o'clock when the swimmer twisted his bound form around and got comfortably settled on his back ready to wriggle across the river. Aiming his head towards this city, Butler drew his knees toward his chest and then straightened out his legs with great force. It did no seem much, but it carried him along. At no time during the swim did Butler show more than his nose and mouth above the water and most of the time he was entirely submerged, but he squirmed steadily along and reached this side of the river safely. He accomplished his difficult feat in just nineteen minutes. A large crowd of people watched Butler making his swim.

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Pugilistic News - The New York Athletic Club November 12 - The National Police Gazette 28 Nov 1885

The New York Athletic Club, famous for the promotion of all athletic sports since its infancy, which dates back to 1867, gave a first-class athletic exhibition at its elegant and well equipped gymnasium in this city on Nov. 12. - The main attraction was a glove contest between the now popular exponents of the manly art, Dennis Butler, of Brooklyn, and Joe Denning, who also resides in the Eastern District of the City of Churches. 

Butler is not only a pugilist but a champion swimmer, and is very popular. He stands 5 feet 10-3/4 inches tall and weighs 168 pounds. Joe Denning appeared soon afterward. He is 5 feet 8-3/4 inches tall and weighed 180 pounds, being out of condition. John Shanley seconded Denning, while Jack Fallon, who is matched to box Al. Powers, of Greenpoint seconded Butler. It had been decided by the committee of arrangements that the men should box 6 rounds, according to "Police Gazette" rules, which are a great improvement on Queensbury rules.

In the first round both displayed considerable silence, but in the second they fought with great earnestness. Butler opened the round by getting in a heavy facer, and Denning retaliated with a swinging right-hander on the forehead. Butler then got in several good blows on the nose, chest and jaw. The latter blow, aided by a back-heel, sent Denning to the floor. When he attempted to get up Butler struck him on the neck. This blow, which was foul, did not have sufficient steam in it to knock out the Greenpoint athlete, and was not claimed as a foul.

Denning then struck Butler heavily on the face and head. Very little work was done in the third round, Butler scoring the most points, however in the fourth round they grew anxious to finish the battle, and Butler rushed Denning to the ropes by planting heavy facers and body blows. The fifth round saw Denning go to the floor

again, he being back heeled by Butler for the second time.

Denning's nose was then twice its natural size and was bleeding copiously. Burler's left eye was swelled and turning mouse color. In the sixth round and last. Denning attempted to knock out Butler. He rushed savagely at him and planted his left on the mouth and right on the jaw, being countered on the nose and face by Butler's left.

Butler, too. tried the knocking-out tactics, and swung his right on his opponent's jaw. They then rushed at each other. Right and left hands shot out and Butler, with his superior reach, hit home the greatest number of blows. He drove Denning back step by step, and finally got him on the ropes and almost forced him through. Denning forced his way back again and fought gamely until time was called. Then it was decided that the event was a draw. ...

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Advice for Swimmer about Saving a Drowning Person from Dennis Butler - Nunda NY News 19 November 1910

ADVICЕ FOR SWIMMER

How to Approach and Save a Drowning Person

"The week end picnic and yachting parties make plenty of work for us during the vacation season," declared Dennis Butler, patrolman of the Third district in Philadelphia and at one time the amateur champion swimmer of America. In telling several friends about the long list of deaths, that have accompanied vacation periods during the many years of service that he has seen in the police department.

"What puzzles me more than anything else is the number of drownings that occur during the season," he continued. "Sometimes many a brave fellow who goes to the rescue of a drowning pleasure seeker is caught in the deadly clutch of a drowning man and accompanies him to a watery grave. 

"Now, I have learned from experience that to swim straight at a drowning person and attempt to seize him from the front means probable disaster. Нe will clutch wildly at anything and hold on fast. Нe prevents the swimmer from keeping his air, and when that is exhaled the jig is up. 

"Here is the way in which I have saved many a man. The best way to get at a drowning man is to swim around him and seize him beneath the armpits from behind. Then you are out of the reach of his arms and can hold him up and tread water. At times one must use other means of rescue. 

"Usually the person won't listen to your advice to keep still and will wriggle around and try to seize you by the neck. The only thing to do in that case is to deal him a blow on the bridge of the nose and stun him. Then the rest is easy. In his unconscious state the person will naturally become rigid, and all that you will have to do is to keep him afloat and tow him ashore. There are hundreds of ways in which a person can be rescued, the principal rudiments of which are to keep cool and always to keep out of the reach of his arms.

"Another important feature in the rescue work is that of getting rid of the water and restoring respiration. When the rescued party is on shore the first thing to do is to stand him on his head and hold his feet straight up in the air. The water will gush from his lungs, and when it stops flowing stand him on his feet with his back toward you and by holding him about the abdomen allow him to hang limply over. By pressing the abdomen in and out the water which is in his digestive organs will also be got rid of. 

"Another step is to lay him over a barrel or any other object face upward and his bead lowered toward the ground. Seize his bands and work them with a circular motion from the bead to the abdomen and back again. In bringing the arms back toward the head keep them wide open so that air will he forced into the lungs. Оf course the work of restoration requires anywhere from several minutes to many hours, according the amount of water which has been taken into the lungs.

"But, like everything else, even a novice can make an effort to prevent himself from drowning. When a man falls into the water who cannot swim the easiest way to keep up is to have the lungs well filled with air. This, together with the hands extended palm downward on a level with the breast and a few motions of the feet, will keep him on top for about a half hour, and in this time he has many chance s of being rescued. Instead of doing this, however, a novice upon falling into the water will raise his bands over his head and attempt to call for help. After he discharges the air from his lungs in the vain shout the lungs take in water, and then he naturally sinks." 

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Butler Gives Outing - Phila.Inquirer 29 Aug 1911

BUTLER GIVES OUTING

Popular Policeman Holds Children's Field Day 

More than two hundred boys and girls of the Fifth ward, ranging from six to fifteen years of age, all members of the Boys' and Girls' Athletic and Outing Club, conducted by "Denny'' Butler, popularly known as the "children's cop," at 229 Lombard street, enjoyed a field day yesterday afternoon at the Point Breeze Driving Park. "Denny" Butler took the young athletes to the park in three automobiles, gaily flying the national and the club colors. Upon the grounds they were enabled, to show the proficiency which they had attained under their director's physical instructions during the summer months. There were .more than forty events in the contests, covering every phase of athletic training. Magistrate Carey donated prizes for running, walking and boxing, and other prizes were contributed by Fifth ward business men. Dr. Billings, resident physician of the Pennsylvania Hospital, acted as umpire in a baseball game between boys of the east and west ends of the ward.  


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Frankford Mill Girls Encourage Surly Boss To Quit - The National Police Gazette 16 Nov 1901

The mill girls of Frankford, Pa,, are noted not only for their good looks, but for their pugnacity. They have both to burn, and this latest story about them concerns a haughty superintendent with a black beard. They don't object to whiskers or haughtiness separate, but when they are combined the limit is reached. Every time the bewhiskered monarch walked through the work-rooms he was told by voices that seemed to come from the machines that he had better quit. They didn't bother him very much, however, until they began throwing things at him. One day a spindle struck him in the back and then he made a speech in which he called them names.. The next morning the girls knotted a rope and tried to hang him, hut they couldn't get the noose around his neck, so they literally beat him out of the room with spindles. And then he resigned. 


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Young's Ocean Pier - Atlantic City - Oswego Daily Times - 18 July 1898

Young's Ocean Pier - Oswego Daily Times - 18 July 1898

YOUNGS OCEAN PIER. One of the main features of Atlantic City which go to make it the popular seashore resort it is to-day, is Young's Ocean Pier, at the foot of Tennessee Avenue, It is built upon substantial iron pillars, running oat into the ocean nearly three thousand feet, and with a frontage of one hundred and fifty feet It is the most popular pleasure resort in Atlantic City, and, with the many carefully selected attractions, the constant improvements going on so as to bring it as near perfection as possible, and the best theatrical talent, under the supervision of manager J . A. Willard, it tends to supersede any structure of its kind in the world. On the front portion of the pier to the left is the large tank, wherein can be seen all kinds of the deep water fish, from the small minnow to the man-eating shark, and which are of 'interest to the thousand who visit the pier daily.

Directly in the rear tank further out is the glass tank, whereto Captain Sorcho, the celebrated deep sea diver and submarine engineer, performs three times daily.

 This is one of the most interesting and at the same time one of the most instructive exhibitions that can be witnessed, and to those who have never seen the realistic performance, it is something to be desired. 

The submarine telephone which it used by the captain and on which he has made many improvements, is also interesting. The centre of the pier is utilized as a dancing pavilion, and is 80 feet width by 200 in length. His every night are held the much appreciated hops, as well as the children's carnivals, every Monday Wednesday and Friday nights, which are a source of great amusement to the children. On the right of the immense structure is the "Ocean Trolley Railroad," whereupon one can ride from the entrance of the pier to the further end, nearly a mile and witness the hauling  of the immense fishing net, which is hauled three times daily, under the supervision of Captain Sorcho, with twelve expert fisherman.

The new programme now in order and which is repeated three times daily, morning, afternoon and evenings is via: -

1. Net handling.

2. Concert. Willard's Military Band.

3. Professor Enoch and the two mermaids, which include submarine performances by the Professor, tub races, etc. 

4. Captain Sercho's life saving drill.  

5. Large net hauling. 

8. Adgie and her lions. 

7. Captain Sorcho's deep sea diving. 

All these attractions are worth while seeing, for which is charged the full amount of ten cents. Mr. J A. Willard who has entire charge of these performances, is a man with many years of experience in the theatrical business, and one who always endeavors to give to the public the best attractions for the least money. 

Mr. John L. Young, the proprietor of the pier, is one of Atlantic City's most popular citizens, and ii also closely allied with many other city interests besides this colossal ocean palace of amusement and recreation.


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Bradford Life Guards - Atlantic City - 1891

Hand-book of Atlantic City, New Jersey ... Heston, Alfred Miller - 1891

Bradford. — This is the family name of four brothers who have distinguished themselves in saving lives on the beach front of Atlantic City. They constituted what was known as the Bradford Life Guards. The first of these life guards was organized by Captain Paul Boynton in 1872. Of the Bradfords, only one of the four brothers, " Ned," is now living. Michael, the third brother, and most heroic of them all, died at Jefferson Medical Hospital, in Philadelphia, on November 23d, 1887. The Bradfords were born in Pittsburg, where they began the work of saving the lives of drowning people on the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers. From Pittsburg they came to Atlantic City, making it for several years their winter as well as their summer home. The first evidence of bravery shown by " Mike " here was on the night of August 18th, 1879, when a furious storm raged in front of the city. In the midst of this storm the schooner Flora Curtis was sighted near the inlet, shortly afterward coming ashore opposite the foot of Rhode Island Avenue. She was blown down the beach to a point off North Carolina Avenue, where she tossed about in waves which deluged her decks and sent their foam high into the rigging. But four men could be seen on board, two of whom were clinging to the ratlings, another was on the cross trees of the foremast, and another lay upon the end of the bowsprit. Darkness was creeping upon the scene, and the tide rose higher and higher, driving the crowd back from the beach and washing the boardwalk away. When the tide fell, a bonfire was kindled upon the beach, which illuminated the sea sufficiently to make the Curtis plainly visible a little further down the beach. All this time no one dared to venture out to the vessel. Shortly after midnight, however, Michael Bradford, accompanied by three other men, named Owens, Livingstone, and Donnelly, resolved to brave the storm and go to the relief of the sailors. It was a hard row, and the light boat was broken to pieces just as the men reached the grounded schooner. They found the crew on deck in a cold and half-famished condition. Having no means of getting back, they were obliged to remain on board the vessel. At two o'clock that night the Government life-savers went to their rescue, and all aboard the Curtis were taken safely ashore. For this act of bravery Bradford was awarded a gold medal by the Government. A few years ago the eldest of the Bradfords died of paralysis, the result of exposure in the surf, and about two years later the second eldest died of the same disease. "Mike" and the remaining brother, "Ned," continued their heroic but unprofitable calling until the former was stricken with the fever which ended in his death. Of the famous four, Edward is now left.