Daily Republican., 1879-07-21
DEATH AMONG THE BREAKERS.

to save that OF An0ihoF-Hls II he.
role Actions I'm the surf-They srs
witnessed by HorrineA Thou
sands.
Special Correspondence Of the Republican.
OCEAN Cry, Nd, July Goth, 10.
People here this evening are horror
stricken over the sad and tragic death
Of one Of the most brilliant and honored
members of Society. ! rsfer to the
drowning of Hon. b. s. Ford, OF Cen.
treville, Queen Anne's County, Mary
land, which has just taken place. In
the death of Mr.. Ford was evidenced to
a full degree that life sacrificing spirit
which has made the names OF the
worlds heroes stand ont from those OF
their fellows gloriied and emblazened
with undying lustre. Mr.. Ford died
to save another. His struggles amid
the breakers were witnessed by thous-
auds, who speechless with horror at the
sight and perfectly helpless in their
wild desire to aid the brave man, lined
the beach.
Mr.. Ford, with lady named Mrs.
Z. Is. Emory, daughter Of John X. En-
ory, of Centrevills, Of Maryland, wad
promenading the beach, the gayest OF
the gay. Both we're conspicuous--he
for his fine physical development, she,
for her fresh and maidenly beauty.
Thus laughing and chatting they walk
ed until a proposition was made to go in
bathing. The tide was rolling in strong
and The breakers as they came upon
the shore, were tempting. Arrayed in
appropriate costume they soon entered
the water.
There being none in the surf besides
themselves they were watched with in
terest and not little apprehension
for the surf was rough and the danger
from the undertow, becoming more
powerful every msment, was great.
Some moments passed on at last the
people on the beach became aware that
the two hathers were in distress. Mr..
Ford and Miss Emory were then amid
the second line of breakers. From the
shore it could be plainly seen that they
had been caught by the undertow and
had been swept from their feet.
They were battling for their lives,
what was TO be done had to be done
quickly for human endurance could not
stand long in such a surf. The peril
of their position must have been di-
vined by Mr.. Ford for he was noticed
by the thousands of terrified beholders
upon the beach to place the lady upon
his shoulder where she sat frantically
waving her hand for assistance. At the
sight those upon shore seemed to lose
all self control and men began to wildly
rush here and there in desire to rem
der aid.
The life saving service station was
closed and the guard were not upon
duty. The seats of the Atlantic House
pavilion were wrenched from their fast
enings and were thrown out in the surf,
one after another, in the hope that they
would come within reach of the two so
bravely struggling for their lives. As
the helplessness OF the rescuers became
apparent, the feeling of the excited
grew deeper and more in
tense.
Women and even strong men, pale
and trembling, turned their heads, ex-
pecting every succeeding billow that
rolled in would bear the already ex-
hausted man and his precious burden
beneath its bosom, and extinguish what
little life there remained in the almost
senseess frames. The cries of the ex.
cited men roe high above the roaring
of the breakers, and the exclamations
of horror from the lips of frail women
and children welled up from hearts
that beat in deep absorbing agony. The
sister of Mrs. Emory walked to and fro
upon the beach, and with eyes strained
towards the struggling form of her sis
ter, beat here and there at the wild
mercy of the waves, was moaning pite
ously and wringiAg her hands in the
depth of her intense agony.
As the people were about giving up
all hope, the torn of one man was seen
to enter the surf and strike boldly out
in the direction Of the struggling forms.
He was watched with bat.d breath and
as he turned and struggled up to where
Mr.. Ford was, hope was awakened in
The breasts of all i; but just as the swim
ner reached the struggling pair he was
'eized by a billow, turned and thrown
Jack and was dashed in upon the shore
n an exhausted coudltion. Another
nan followed and being buoyed up by
. board, succeeded in coming near
enough to Mr.. Ford to force the plank
within mis- grasp.
The board was light and capable of
one. Instead of Mr.. Ford
Using it for his own safety he was seen
~ the eager people on shore to unbur-
len himself of the form of the lady and
lssist her upon the board. At this
hivalrous act thrill of admiration
an through the multitude and beating
hearts prayed more fervently for the
Aviation of man who could at the
isk of his own life, which he doubtless
,lready realized to be beyond human
i'd for existence, heighten the chances
f fellow mortal in distress.
The lady clinging to the board tloated
rem the noble man who was already fast
His exertions were visi-
'ly weakening and as his form appeared
Ipon the top of each succeeding wave,
he slow motion of his arm told plainly
hat the struggle would soon BE- over.
He turned upon his back and endeav'
red to sustain himself by floating; but
was only for an instant. The two ,
'ere by this time some yards apart, she
linging to the board, Notwithstanding {
t every breaker she was submerged {
nd rolled with every turning of the ,
lank. The efforts on shore to extend
id continued but it was fruitless.
ONE ten or twelve men were vainly en-.