The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-25
JAMES RIVER CLAIMS
THREE MORE, VICTIMS
sAlfrcd and Henry Bransford and
i. Colored Companion Are
Is Drowned.
lTRGGEDY AT BosHER'S DAM
goat Is Capsized After One Of
|. Boys Had Fallen Into Swift
Y Current.

+ Alfred B Bransford, nineteen years
koid, and Henry Bransford. seventeen
tyears old, sons OF DIT. and Mrs. John
Frank Bransford, whose home is near
s'on Air and negro companion
,Archie Johnson. twenty-six years old.
lwere drowned Yesterday afternoon
about o'clock in the James River
opposite Bosher's Dam
the whole neighborhood was aroused
BY the news OF the drowning. the mos,
shocking which has occurred here in
years, and large crowd quickly gath
cred near the scene Numerous par
ties OF searohers were hurriedly or
gained. and within n few hours the
three bodies had been recovered. DR.
-; q. Loving, county coroner. viewed
the remains and decided that an in
quest would not be necessary.
The young men left the Bransford
nome IN the early forenoon for row.
IN moving about the skin which they
occupied, the younger boy lost his bal
ance and fell into the river In their
eHof's to rescue him the brother and
negro caps!zed the boat. and both were
thrown out
on account OF the swift current II
was Impossible for them 10 save them
serves by catching the upturned boat
before aid could reach them they had
peen carried below the dam and had
. disappeared.
His Efforts in Win
The triple drowning was Witnessed
roy stewart Grant. and he made vain
AoilS 10 save the struggling boys in
tAe water. His cries attracted several
persons 10 the banks OF the stream
but all arrived 100 late for rescue
WORK
News OF the tragedy spread rapidly.
D. Bransford was in Richmond when
me heard of the drowning of two whit,
Eboys and negro. knowing that his
,sons had been planning a trip on the
lTiver, he quickly communicated win
ems nome and found that they had not
EFeturhed. Distracted because he feared
,Fhe worst and Seu heard nothing den
~ ne hurried !'oHe' and was shortly
fpprised Of the loss OF his sons. He
E"ent TO the scene OF the drowning
land aided IN the search for the bodies
The searohers found the bodies q
considerable distance below the dam
r. nat Of the elder brother was recov-
Eered frst and that OF the colored man
shortly afterwards The body of Henry
'"7S not found for more than an hour.
Were Spending Vacation.
me BFansford brothers were spend-
fhg their vacation from school win
their parents The elder how srsd,.
eted last year with high honors from
NV oodberry Forest and was planning
ITO begin college career this year.
ne younger WAS student al nre-
fparatoEy school in Washington. d G.
{Both were well known in Chester6eId
I and We're looked upon as having INNS
uauy brilliant futures
The negro was the son OF an aid
man who had been slave in the
BTansFord family IN Georgia He had
theen reared with the Bransford bovs
ard was with them almost const.ntiv
He was universally liked
Or Bransford Is retired officer
Of the United states Navy. lie 70.
signed from the service prlcr Ia ,bc
Spanish-Americau war When host;n
ties were declared in 1885 he nuuodi.
x ately offered his services ana thev
were accepted Dy the department He
was ordered 10 the United states
steamshlp Gloucester and sent 20 en-
y pan waters 1t was he who dressed
Z the wounds of Admiral Ccrvera. com
manding the Spanish neet which att
tackled the American squadron. when
he was captured and sent 10 An
napolis witt other prisoners OF war.
Al the close 81 the war pr Bransford
again left the navy and returned 10
his home in Chez terfeld
Mrs gransford was ailss Booker Of
Augusta. and is conuectcd with some
Of the most prominent families in
! Georgia
f Tt S. understood that the three
bodies VIII be taken TO Augusta for
( burial