New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-25
LOST HIS LIFE FOR OTHERS.
FREDERICK BROKAw DROWNED WHILE AT
TEMPTING A RESCUE AT LONG BRANCH.
DIR. FERRIS. WHO AIDED HIM. LIES AT THE
POINT OF DEATH-A YOUNG WOMAN
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TkIBUSE.i


PERIsHEs IN THE SURF.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TKIBUSE.i
Long Branch. y. j., June PA terrific strug'
gle for life in the breakers by three young
women, their attempted rescue by two we'll
known young men and the drowning of one OF
the heroic would-be rcscuers and of one of the
girls, ard the probable death Of the other brave
youth. shocked the cottagers and hotel guests
here this afternoon. Frederick Brokaw. the
eldest son of Isaac V. Brokaw, the
wealthy clothier, who lives Fifth-ave.. New
York and Maggie Doyle, pretty dressing maid.
are the dead, and the brave friend of Mr.. Brokaw,
who is at the point of death. is young DR.. Fer
ris. Of Philadelphia. The saddcst feature of this
distressing accident was that young Brokaws
father and mother stood on the lawn OF their
summer home and witnessed his struggle for lie
and saw him sink beneath the waves, where
his body now lies. So intense is the excitement
here over the disaster that even those who wit
messed the battle in tie waves cannot tell how
it occurred
This afternoon about o'clock four of the
women employed by Mrs Simon Hess, of New
York. who occupies the second cottage south of
Mr. Brokaw's cottage at Elbcron. went in bath
ing They were Maggie DOYLE, Mrs. IIess's dress
ing maid Maggie Birsch and Julia Topin. Young
Brokaw and Dr. Ferris. his intimate friend
and guest, were living on the beach talking when
the four girls ran out of the bathing houses Of
the Hess cottage and plunged into the water.
Miss Doyle was good swimmer, and
as the tide was low, her three COM
panions followed her as she swan out
into the breakers. When the girls were about
seventyiflve yards from the Shore they swan into
one Of the sea pusses" which are so dreaded,
even by the best of swimmers. The waves swept
them from their feet and carried them out further
seaward.
Young Brolsaw heard their screams Of terror,
and jumping to his feet. shouted, Ny God, those
girls are sinking" Tearing off his coat. he ran
to a boat which lay the beach, followed by
DR.. Ferris When they found that there were no
oars in the boat, without hestating, Mr. Brokaw
and DR.. Ferris plunged into the Sca and swan
to the girls assistance. The sea-puss had by
this time chrried the four drowning persons
nearly 200 yards out. James Bradley who saw
the sad plight of the women, and realizing the
Importance of prompt action, launched fishing.
boat from near the lfe.Saving station at the foot
Of Lake Tackanasse some little distance north
of the Brokaw cottage, and rowed out to aid
Mr. Br6kaw and DR.. Ferris in saving the three
girls.
DR.. Ferris had reached Maggie BiTsch. and was
supporting her head above water Bradley pulled
the girl and DR.. Ferris into the boat, and the
next minute big wave upeet it and left the three
struggling in the water. They succeeded in catch
ing hold Of the capsized boat where they cung for
life, ti7at they had so nearly lost. Mr.. Brol1aw
had at this time reached Maggie Doyle, and was
battling bravely with the strong waves to bring
her ashore. BY this time the shore was covered
with people, including young Brokaw's parents
and other cottagers- The servants aud cottagers
ran UP and down the beach screaming for assist
ance for those struggling in tile waves. James
Dunn launched life-boat from the lifesav-
ing station and rowing out. rescued DR.. Ferris.
Maggie Blrsch. and James Bradley. DIR. Ferris be-
came unconscious lie was being pulled into
the boat. and it was with extreme difficulty that
Dunn and Bradley prevented 1t from being over
turned. They shouted encouragement to Mr..
Brokaw. who. it was plainly seen. was exhausted
by his brave struggle with the strong waves and
the almost lifelesS girl whom he was trying to
save.
Suddenly young Brokaw threw up his hands.
and lie and the girl sank beneath the surface.
The waves tore the girl from Mr.. BrOlawS arms
and when they came up again. they were a short
distance apart They did not rise to the sur
face again. Julia TOpla was rescued by one of
the cOachmen employed by cottager.
Messengers were sent 10 lllldrethS West End
Hotel for physicians. The New-Jersey State Med
cal Society was in session there. and number of
the members drove rapidly TO the scene of the
disaster. When DunTs boat reached the beach,
Dr. Ferris was unconscious and nearly dead. He
was lifted from the boat and carried into the
Brokaw Cottage. and the physicians were
busily engaged in trying to restore him to con-
sciousness At o'clock he was very low. Mr.. and
Mrs. Brokaw were nearly crazed by the horrible
fate of their son. Mr.. Brolaw in his anguish was
with great difficulty prevented from rushing out
into the cruel waves which covered the body Of
his boy Mr. Brokaw offered $1,000 for the
recovery of his sons body. Warm-hearted fisher
men who knew and loved the young Brokaw, with
deep feeling said they wOntcd no money for such
work and soon they had launched score of
boats loaded with graphing irons and hooks and
were busly engaged in trying 70 find the corpse.
Young lrOkaw a member of the class OF
~ OF Princeton College, and prominent
amateur athlete. He was the captain of the base
ball team Of the American Athletic Club, and
belonged to several of the leading gun clubs.
He was only 81 years old, and was exceedingly
popular with the cottagers Of ElbersOn and Long
branch. In his college he ranked high as
scholar
Tribune reporter called ut the home OF Isaac V.
Brokaw also at the home OF william V. BrOkaw last
night but was unable to get additional information,
as both the houses were closed for the summer.