The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-07-03
Death of flames 9. BedIow.

Death OF James y. BedIoW.
Our community was shocked yesterday noon
by report brought in by railroad passengers
Telegraph Company had been drowned at Pine
Point, Scarboro, while endeavoring to save his
daughter. The news spread all ovsr the city,
as he was universally known and esteemed,
but it was not until five o'clock that the full
particulars were received. 1t seems that at 10
o'clock in the morning his brother-in-law,
Joseph Kellogg, took his youngest daughter
Sophy, nine years of age, and an Evans child
of about the same age, in bathing. Leaving
Sophy, with an oar, in water waist deep, he
took Miss Evans far out to receive swimming
lesson. Suddenly Sophy found heIself floated
out to her depth, and screamed Mr.. Kellogg,
hearing this, went to her assistance, leaving
Miss Evans 10 deep water. Mrs. Bedlow,
hearing the scream, called to her husband, who
partially stripped aod rushed into the water
Mr. Kellogg told him to go to Miss Evans,
who was at least 500 feet out. Mr. Bedlow
made great exertions and quickly reached and
rescued her. AS he was Bringing her in, Mr.
Kellogg, who had placed his niece in safety,
went to his assistance. Mr.. Bedlow said "rake
her Joe, and will swim ashore" He was then
breast deep in the water, and being exhausted,
proposed to swim in leisurely On bis back. In
i've minutes gentleman who WAS watching
the scene from the beach observed that he was
motionless and that his hat was floating away
from him. He, with Mr.. Kellogg, went at
once to his assistance, and found that he had
turned On his face, that bis face was quite
purple, and that life appeared extinct. He was
Immediately taken 20 his cottage, and
medical gentleman who was at the beach tried
for an hour and a half to restore him, but with
out effect 1t is probable that hi, death was
caused by syncops ana stoppage of The
action ST the heart, consequent upon the great
exertlon which he made to reach Miss Evans,
the Sudden chill from the cold water, AMI his
anxiety of mind. The Rev. Mr.. Adams of
Blue Point said prayers at the cottage, and
the family with the body came to the city in the
five o'clock train, his son Charles having gone
out instantly on hearing of the catastrophe.
Mr.. Bedlow W as native of Portland, and
fifty-two years of age. His father was
Cornelius Bedlow, who formerly Kept grocery
on the corner of Federal and Essex streets.
For many year he was with his lifelong friend
David Bugbee in Bangor, in which city he
married. He left Mr.. Bugbee to aecept a
situation in the Maine Telegraph Company's
office, Offered him by Mr.. Eddy, from which he
was summoned in 1856, by Asa Woodman, the
in Portland, to take his place
here, which he was obliged to surrender On &C.
count of failing health Me-. Woodnau ed
soon after, and from that time, Mr.. Bedlow
has continued in charge except for a short
time while Mr.. James G. Smith was superin-
tendent, during which time he took charge of
the UNITED States line. When the Western
Union consolidated the different companies,
he took charge Of the division from Boston to
Calais, and has managed it with signal ability,
winning the esteem of the pablo and of the
authorities. To his constant friend
ship and thoushfulness the Press of Maine
have been greatly indebted, and they will join
with every one employed upon th3 liaes, or
who have met him in the way Of business in
lamenting the loss Of oae who was at once a
friend and an honorable and kindly man.
His first wife died before his return to PORT
and. His second wife is the daughter of the
late Joseph Kellogg. he leaves five children,
his eldest son being the Assistant Superinten-
dent OF his Telegraph Division, and his eldest
daughter having just graduated at the High
school. He was member Of the Citizens
Mutual Relief Association, and is understood
to be insured 10 some one of the regular COM
panies.
Mr.. Bedl0w was one Of the oldest directors
Of the Board of Trade, and always active in
everything which coocerned the interest of the
city. He was also valued member of the
Masonic fraternity, by whom he will be deeply
moot especially by his confreres of
Portland Commandery. He kad been for
twenty years member of the Swedenboreian
congregation.
Mr.. Bedlow was man of the most amable
character and disposition, of high integrity,
and active in every good work which
came to his hand, kindly and liberal to all who
besought his aid, and the m inner of his death
will bespeak the ehivalry of his character.
Our citizens will feel personal loss, while
they unite with his family and friends in
his untimely death.