Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-02-27

at Havana was washed overheard and
drowned. The young officer was a class
mate at the Naval academy of Assistant
Engineer Darwin R. Merritt. who lost his
life on the Maine. Both young officers had
only graduated and been commissioned as
officers last June. Ensign Breckenridge
ridge. of the United States army. and a
nephew of Hon. W. C. p. Breckenridge, of
Kentucky, and Hon. c. R. Breckenridge, of
Arkansas. who was minister to Russia
during the last term of President Cleve-
land: His remains were brought back to
the United States and inferred at his old
home in Lexington, KY.
Twice during his short career he had
bravely faced death to save others from
the fate that has overtaken him: once at
Annapolis. just before he graduated. when
as a naval cadet he rescued from drown
ing a man, now a prominent Baltimore &
Ohio passenger agent, who had fallen over
board and whose strength had become ex-
hauSted; and again, in the summer of 1893,
at LIS FISHERS err island, \. y. when a terrific
with the main land. he. assisted by his
brother, rescued from the raging waves
two men who had incautiously gone in
WINNING and who had crawled upon a
diving raft as a place of safety. The raft
was soon torn from its anchorage by the
angry waves and carried out to sea. Young
BreGkinrldge. realizing their imminent
launching a small row boat, put out to sea
and effected their rescue by safely landing
them on the beach. Another instance of
his remarkable GOODNESS in time of peril
Texas in several instances. when aiding
small boats and launches in the face Of
storms and in controlling the turret ma
chinery at the imminent peril of his life.
On one occasion when on the battleship
Texas an ammunition hoist gave way and
the shot was falling into the powder.
breckenridge sprang to the rescue, was car
RED around and around. his clothing lit
erailv torn into ShreiS and hiS arpo IN
Jured. but he saved the ship and all on
board from probable instant destruction.
When off Fort Monroe during a severe
storm a boat was drifting away with its
human 1reisht. Cabel had turned in. but
nearing the news. he went on deck. called
1or a volunteer crew. and when none had
offered before, at his call all sprane 10
heip him: He chose his men. headed by
went to the rescue. They were out in the
bitter, raging storm for hours on that dark
night, but succeeded in saving three men
Born at Fort Monroe. Va. when his father.
1utant there: young Breckenridge got a
taste or artillery life and a love for the
sea. and going from there to the Preside
OF San francisco. with its reservation of
l.oV acres. he became an expert in the
riding and management of a cantiva In
dian pony and was soon as distinguished
a rlder as he was a fencer. Going next 70
Shlcago, where his father was stationed.
ne was one of the leading tennis PLAYERS
there. and in all the changing scenes NJ
lie he was among the foremost of his
COMPANIONS in their friendly rivalry for
leadership. Had he lived. says the Army
ana navy journal. his career could h,It
nave been foreshadowed by the briIljancv
and promise of his early life. arxi that his
ire was sacrificed at his post of duty can
put win MIN an honored name among all
tne brave men that have gone before. His
stainless young life may be the first frn;t
OF the new hope for Cuba.