The daily gazette., 1879-07-21
z1LMINGTON DEL. MONDAY July ,H1s1
Fighting forlas inthis Ocean,

Fighting falds lli| hiths ]. Oc,sI'a j T. +
ATsrrlbIe Scene at Ocean City
A MAN and woman strusgiins I'm
h'-. 'A ..s th0 Burr. JD 70 ..a Ii,
DROWNING WITHIN FIFTY FEET OF
THE sHORR-BRAvE RFRORTs FOR
rHEIR RKscUE-THE WOMAN SAVED,
j., BUT THE NAN DIES AFTER BEING
Pa -11>> 70 49, Il ll4s5s1 ai ono ,,l.
(s4pecial to the Gazette) ..,,.a ~,
.4 -OcEAH CITY, Nd, July 20, 1879.
To-day was an eventful day for Ocean
City, the excitement consequent upon
the advent Of three excursion trains
with their loads Of visitors, winding up
with terrible Mfe and death struggle In
the ocean, In the sight Of hundreds Of
people who lined the beach while the
fearful event was tranaplring. ~
1t happened about twenty minutes Of
six O'Clock, at which time Got. b. 9.
Ford, OF Queen Anne's county, Nd, one
Of the guests Of the, Atlantic Hotel, went
into bathe on the beach in front OF the
Atlantic Hotel, in company with Mrs..
T.. B. Emory, also of Queen lAhne's
county. When the lady and gentleman
entered the wafer they were the only
bat.lers on the beach, q more unpropi-
tions time for their bath they could not
have selected. The tide was setting in
strongly, aided by stiff breeze from the
sea, which made the breakers surge and
swell with fearful force, ere they finally
broke upon the shore. This surging sea
Is pecullar to Ocean City, and Is caused
by The bar about half . mile out, which
breaks the surf before 1t reaches the re-
gulsr beach, and sends IT forward In
heavy, eh0pping waves, instead of the
long, unbroken roll, with which it breaks
upon an ordinary, unobstrucied beach.
Ordinarily, this feature Of the sea bath
ing at Ocean City is regarded as an ad-
vantage, as 1t renders the bathing more
vigorous and inspir ng, but generally To-
wards night, and when she tide, is setting
i1, the breakers come rolling up SO heav
lily, and with such strong recede, as 10
make bathing not only matter Of great
difficulty, but Of positive danger - we'll.
And this was the casa this evening". -
When Col. Ford and the lady first en-
tered the water they were curiously
watched by the small number OF persons
at that time on the beach, whose only
surmise, however, was in regard to the
rather unusual hour the bathers were
taking for their dip in old ocean. Down
| into the water they went riding the in
| coming billows with ease and grace, and
exciting no apprehension in the minds
of the spectators, who judged by their ac-
tIons that they were good and experienced
| bathers. ''.'' y" '0i ~
When they were about fifty feet from
the waters edge, few Of the persons on
the beach who were watching them be-
gan to entertain feeling Of -, e..
a.3a VAGUE UNEAsINEss H.,
1 for the safety OF the two In the water.
This feeling was probably caused by the
heavy, surging waves that were then
coming In, though to some Is appeared
that Col. Ford's face wore q troubled,
anxious aspect, and that he was endeav-
oring TO come toward the shore, without,
apparently making any Roadway. Acting
under the Impulse OF this vague fear some
of the men drew nearer to the waters
edge, while those seated on the benches
fastened their gaze still more intently
upon the bathers who were then tossing
up and down in the heavy trough caused
by the turbulent breakers at this place.
For full half minute this suspense
lasted while the anxious expression up
on the face ofCol. Ford apparently deep
ened and increased. Then his lips were
observed to open, and the worst fears Of
the anxious spectators were realized by
hearing the the thrilling words
"HELpl HELP! HELPW 60
which were borne to their ears with an
appalling distinctness that could not fol
an instant be misunderstood. l.i
In second the beach was in commo-
ton. A full dozen of brave, strong men
rushed down the beach, and throwing of
their coats and boots, dashed fearlessly
into the seething waters. Among the
first TO thus act was Major 8. A. MRcal-
lister, ofWilmington, who took with him
piece of pine board which vas lying on
the beach, but 80 strong was the surf
that the Major could make no headway
though he gallantly persisted in his ef-
forts until completely overcome by the
water and compelled TO cling to the board
for his own safety. -.4s I.-.,.l sci
After repeated exertions one of the
men, Mr.. VIM. Pitts, of Wicomico coun-
ty, succeeded In forcing his way through
the first line of breakers, and soon By
skiilfiil swimming he was enabled to get
Immediately behind the two unfOrtunates
for whose safety he was so bravely risk
ing his life. Steadying himself for an
inst ant he placed his hands against their
backs for the purpose Of pushing then,
towards the shore, but just at this in
slant q
A TREMENDOUS BILIOw. rH
swept over the three and for a few sec
onds buried them completely out ol
sight. When the rush of waters receded
Col. Ford and Mrs. Emory were still
seen riding the waves together, but the
gallant Pitts had been swept some dis
lance away, and despite all his endeay.
ors could not get near the other two
again. He persisted in his attempts un-
til he was exhausted, and then reluctant.
ly turned towards the shore. 80.
During the progress of these efforts
which occupied but few minutes
though they seemed like hours, Col
Ford. bravely kept beside the Lady
though he could evidently have saved
himself by swimming had he chosen tG
desert her to her fate. He supported hel
with his hands, she resting her hands on
his shoulder, and in this way they re.
| majued in the WATER anxiOusly watching