The Republican journal., 1912-08-15
A Sad Drowning Accident.
Two Lives Lost, one in an Heroic Attempt
at Rescue. .

Two Lives Lost, one in an Heroic Attempt
at Rescue.
There were two deaths by drowning last
Saturday afternoon-John Walter Coombs
aged years, 8 months and day. the son of
Mr.. and Mrs. Walter H. Coombs; and Ferdi-
nand P. Clifford, aged as years, z months and
3 days, son of Mr. and Mrs. w. H. Clifford
who lost his life in an heroic effort to save the
boy. Young Coombs had been fishing with
others from the lower bridge and had caught
fish which some one took away from him,
and he left there and with little Norman Hub
bard went to the Coe- Mortimer pier to fish.
In moving about the pier he caught his foot in
some way, stumbled and fell overheard This
was about $50 p. m. and it was low tide.
There were other youngsters on the pier and
they ran toward the shore shouting for help,
and those on the bridge and nearby hastened
to the scene. Ferd P Clifford was coming
down the railroad track as the accident occur
red and without a moments hesitation went
to the shore threw off his coat, called to
the boy, Il will get you out" and plunged in.
He reached and got hold of the boy, who had
sunk twice, and started with him for the shore,
but before reaching it both sank to rise no
more. Whether Mr.. Clifford was seized with
cramps, entanged in eel grass or hampered in
his movement by his wet clothing and the bow
clinging to him will never be known. As soon
as boats could be brought to the scene of the
accident graphing for the bodies was begun,
and about o'clock young Coombs' body was
recovered by Parker Aldus. His fish line was
tangled about him. Cliffords body was found
about II O'Clock by Bert Annis, near where
the boy was found
Mr.. Walter H. Coombs, the bows father was
Frustrated with grief, as his two little sons
were his constant companions and pride. John
was born in Belfast and is survived by his
parents, Walter H. and Lula M (Freese)
Coombs; younger brother, Frank H. half
brother, Richard Coombs of Limestone Colo;
two half sisters, Hattie E., trained nurse in
Sacramento, Calf, and Katherine of Belfast.
He was bright, attractive little fellow, full of
fun and energy, and his untimely death is a
crushing blow to his parents. The funeral was
held Monday afternoon at o'clock, Rev. D. B.
Phelan, Methodist, officiating.
Ferdinand P. Clifford was born in Thomas
ton, January T. 1867, the son of the late Will
liam Henry and Annie L (Spear) Clifford,
The family moved to Belfast when Ferd was
child. He attended the public schools and
later learned the barber's trade of his father
and was regarded as an expert in that line
He had worked at his trade in Belfast, Brock
ton and Boston. When quite young he mar
ried Miss Addie Morey of Castine, and their
two sons, John and Harry of Haverhill Mass.
aged, respectively, 19 and 20 years, survive
They We're passing a two weeks vacation in
Castine and had planned to spend last Sunday
with Belfast relatives. They remained for the
funeral The deceased is survived bv his
mother, two brothers, VIM. R. of Bar Harbor
and Walter J. of Belfast, and one sister, Mrs
Effie May Matthews of Belfast The deceased
was kind hearted, honest, and was ever ready
TO lend helping hand, as the last act of his
lie testified. Whatever may have been his
shortcomings his end amply atoned for them
he gave his life in the attempt to save the life
Of another. The funeral was held at his late
home on Northport avenue at 23O D. m. Mon
day, Rev. D. B. Phelan, Methodist, officiating
The bearers were from the Sons of Veterans
an organization in which he always took deep
interest-Capt. Frank 0. Whiting, Orrin ].
Dickey, A. T. Gay and John Batcheder