Milford chronicle., 1901-08-09
Georoe Grier Rateliff Drowned.

The telegraph wires never bore a
more narrowing piece of news to the
family of Mr.. John Ratcliff, of South
Milford, than the message that come to
them last Sunday morning, which told
of the death oftheir only son by drown
ing in Sinepuxent bay, near Queponco,
Md, on Saturday afternoon, August
3rd, 1901.
Their son, George Grier Ratclitf. was
born in Milford thirty-three years ago,
and grew up bright, lovable and active.
With no bad habits, loving and duti-
full son, AN earnest worker in the church,
honest and truthful in all his dealings,
he soon won the confidence of all; and,
after getting a common school educa-
ton, he took place with the Adams
Express Company in this town. From
there he went upward in their employ;
first, as route agent; then as special
messenger and agent, and finally to a
trusted manager for them in another
state. But he was ambitious, and after
taking a course at the Maryland Uni
versitv. in Baltimore, he was admitted
to the Maryland Bar. He read law
under Mr.. Ellegood, at Salisbury, and
with him was in the Supreme Court OF
the United States as attorney in the
Baltimore, Chesapeake and Atlantic
railroad case. He was a Mason of high
standing, being a Knights Templar in
the Salisbury Commandry.
At the Republican Judicial COnven
ton recently held at Ocean City, Mr.
Ratclif made the nominating speech
that placed Robert p. Graham on the
Republican ticket for Judge. Tha
speech was reported in full, and hal
been favorably commented on all owe
the Peninsula. Mr.. Ratclif had ;
bright future in front of him, as he wal
the leading young Republican lawye
in Wicomico county, and gathering
experience at an early age.
His remains were brought to Milford
last Monday, and Oh Tuesday after
noon a solemn procession Of friends fol
lowed them to their last resting-plac'
in odd Fellows Cemetery.
To the sorrOwing ones there will al
WAYS be a halo Of glory around tn
memory of his death; he died trying t.
save the lives of two young compan
ions. He was one of house party be
ing entertained at the home Of Nh
King V. White, at Powellville, Md, Of
the SinepuXent bay.
The story as told by the BaltimOr
"Sun" IS as follows
"a party composed OfthOse who wer
drowned and Miss Abby White, daugh
ter of Mr.. King V. White, of Powell
Vile. Wicomico county; Miss Iris Tull
of Marion, Somerset county, and Mr.. S
King White, principal of the Sails
bury High School, drove to the land
ing of Mr.. Gordon b. Jones, to spen
the afternoon. Shortly after arrivin
there they all went in bathing. Tn
I shore is sandy and the bathing for thOs
} who are familiar with the spot is col
+ sidered entirely safe, but at one pOin
the bottom dips suddenly into tn
channel. The members of the part
8 had been advised of this, but Miss Phi
' lips, Miss White and Mr.. Ratclift wei
, bathing a short distance from the Othel
? and without realizing they were in dan
ger, suddenly found themselves beyon
their depth They cried for help an
s Mr.. King White and Miss 1ull imm
n diately started to their assistance, bl
before they could reach them they, to-
were struggling in water over the
e heads Neither Mr.. Ratcliff nor NJ
r White was an expert swimmer, but NJ
l. White succeeded in getting Miss Tu
3 to place of safety and started again
j the assistance of the others.
d 1.-THE young ladies in the meantin
i had become thoroughly frightened, al
4 in their efforts to save themselves hi
:, entwined their arms around Mr.. RS
u cliffs neck. Before Mr.. White cou
II quite reach them he saw all three sill
10 FIR the last fine