ATLANTIC CITY, N. J., Sept. 29.—Michael J.
Bradford, the famous life guard, to-night received from the Secretary of the Treasury a
gold life-saving medal. In the communication
the Secretary says it is for "heroic daring in
efforts to rescue the crew of the schooner Flora
Curtis, August 19, 1879." The Curtis was wrecked off this city on that day in a terrible
storm, and when the life-saving crew failed to
go to their assistance, Bradford and his brother
manned their life-boat and went to the rescue of
the crew. Bradford is also to be presented tomorrow evening with a gold watch appropriately inscribed for his heroism and courage In
rescuing lives at this city.
(Inquirer 30 Sept 1886)
A BRAVE HEART STILLED.
Death of Michael J. Bradford, Who, With
H is Brothers, Saved Five Hundred Lives.
Michael J. Bradford died between eight and nine o'clock last night at the Jefferson Hospital. It cannot be but that many hearts must ache at this announcement. Men and women are alive and happy to-day who, bur for this brave man, would have already penetrated the veil and learned the awful secrets of the future for weal or woe.
The career which Bradford and his two brothers so nobly followed is part of the history of New Jersey. Pittsburg, their native place, may well be proud of them and may well, mourn, that death has now stricken down another. One only remains, Edward Bradford, who will now pursue alone the career in which he was once sustained by fraternal sympathy.
To give a list of the heroic exploits of these men-would transcend present limits. It must suffice to refer briefly to the main features of one or two of the noble deeds in which Michael Bradford acted alone, as they were related last night with quivering lips by men who loved and honored him in life and who will cherish his memory; his rescue of the daughter of Mr. Poth, the well known brewer of this city, and to the medal sent him by the government for saving the crew of the Flora Curtis on the 19th of August, 1879.
When summoned to the rescue of Miss Poth and her escort, Michael Bradford himself was ill. But on such occasions Bradford never gave self a thought. Sprinning into his boat, he rowed out to where the lady and her companion were helpless in the power of the waves.
Pulling swiftly at his oars Bradford sent the boat head directly between those whom he wished to save, and reached first for the young lady. Drawing her into the boat he reacted out on the other side for her escort, but he had already sunk to rise no more, and the condition of the rescued girl compelled her preserver to return with her to the beach the moment he was convinced that his efforts in behalf of the drowned man must be unavailing.
No sooner had he rowed her to the shored however, than he pulled back again and resumed his search. When he at last gave it up as hopeless and sent his boat over the surf to the sand, he was so exhausted that he himself had to be lifted ashore end carried to his hotel. In his rescue of the crew of the schooner Flora Curtis, the boat in which he went out to her, was broken by the surf, but he persevered till he got a line to the vessel, by means of which the good work was accomplished.
Such were the exploits in which Michael Bradford acted alone, or bore a most minty part, as one of the volunteer life guards of Atlantic City.
His death came with but little warning. Exposure and excitement brought on a tendency to cerebral ailments, and a severe cold, which began on Sunday last, developed what had become familiar symptoms.
He was able, however, to dine with a friend on Sunday, but later in the day he grew very ill, complaining of terrible pain in his head and breast, and yesterday he was so ill that he was taken from Mrs. Sauter's lodging house to the Jefferson Hospital for treatment, where he died last evening of brain fever.
(Inquirer 24 Nov 1887)
Funeral of Capt. Bradford
PITTSBURG, Nov. 29. - Twenty thousand people reviewed the remains of Capt. Mike Bradford, the life saver, at the residence of his brother-in-law, John O'Neill, on Grant street, Sunday. His brothers, Edward and James, brought the body from Philadelphia on Saturday, at 2:30 o'clock. Solemn high mass was said over at the cathedral, after which the body was laid in St. Mary's cemetery. Ned Bradford, the only one of the boys remaining in the life saving service, says he shall keep up the organization as usual next summer.
(Daily Saratogian 29 Nov 1887)
.
No comments:
Post a Comment