The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-03-14
Tho lost to sight, to men'uy dear Thou ever wilt remain"

Do you remember sixty years ago, when the Union 'EMonitor defeated the Rebel 'tMerrimac''? Last week s newspapers all over the country re- counted the history of that momen- tous sea engage cement which wrought havoc in the hearts and ranks of our adversaries.
 Last Thursday evening the Rev. Samuel c. Bushnell delivered an ad- dress in New Haven relating how his father had supplied the funds for the building of the Monitor" which was designed by John Ericsson, the great Swedish inventor.
 By reading the following story one will be enabled to understand what an important, part Bridgeport had in the construction of that famous tur- reted ironclad. which was ridiculed by the Southeruers and called a ''cheese baX on raft
 The Monitor was built by Charles A. Bedell. then of New York He was shipbuilder, construction engineer and contractor. Because Of the unparalleled success of the first Monitor, his company was given by the government contracts to build several more of the same type of sea fighter, which was done. In fact, MT. Bedeu superintended the construc- ton of all of the monitors built dur ing the Civil War.
 One of the latter boats had the misfortune to sink at it's dock before completion, the cause of which was the accid opening of sea cock. On board of this unfortunate vessel was a chest of valuable instruments and tools belonging to MT. Bedeu, which was irreparably lost. He in- mediately sent a bill to the authori- ties at Washin gton asking for recom- pense. His bill was passed from one department to another until the owner became impatient. Where upon he decided upon personal action and went to Washington himself. There the same delay and dilly- da11ying wsaS met with until one day he took his courage in hand and went to the White House determined to put the case before Abraham Lincoln.
 President Lincoln listened atten- lively, then turning to his desk he paper, handed it to MT. Bedell, who left at once. Scanning the paper he found on it these words: Give this young man what he wants. A LIN COLIN"
 Such an order was unlimited but MT. Lincoln knew his man and trust ed him. MT. Bedel1 went at once to the Treasury Department where his bit of paper was honored with alac- rity. And this was the only time he met the martyred President.
 After building various Hudson river Steamboats. among which was the famous Mary Powell,'' MT. Be- dell went to New Haven in 1869 and
 
 va1e residences there Among these are the Insurance building, the Yel- low building. the Yale gymnasium. Battel chapel. Springside home, First National bank, and many others. While altering the North church on the Green he received the only acci- dent that had fallen to his lot in a long and active career on land and l sea- This nishap caused his retire | nent.
 Besides other important construc- | ton work in New Haven, MT. Bedell | came to Bridgeport and built St. 1 Roses church and some of the newer 1 buildings of Warner Brothers corset | He lived to enjoy S1 years of life and died in West Haven five | Tears ago where he is buried
 MT. BedelI left a family of four ;ons and two daughters. only one of which concerns our story. She was Miss Elida Bedell, well known in Bridgeport first as a proof-reader, hen as news and feature writer on he old Standard. later the Post and gmes.