"Chris" Bradford - Life Guards Atlantic City - The National Police Gazette 25 Nov 1882 - New York Daily Tribune 16 Apr 1885

"Chris." Bradford. 

We give in this issue a portrait of Chris. Bradford, chief of the Bradford Brothers' life guard service at the Atlantic City beach. He has perfected a very efficient system of life saving at the seaside resort named above and sided by his brothers keeps his station on the beach open and working winter and summer. The brothers are five in number, named respectively Chris., John, Mike, Ed. and Jim. Another one of the guard is named Billy Dane. They are Pittsburg boys and have had an experience of six years in the life guard service. During that time they have saved over two hundred lives. Including two shipwrecked crews. They have affidavits from the latter and honorable mention from the United states government. They are supported by the voluntary contributions of the hotel proprietors, cottagers and visitors at Atlantic City. 

(The National Police Gazette 25 Nov 1882)

Christopher Bradford.

Pittsburg, April 15 (Special). - Christopher, the eldest of the Bradford brother, of life-saving fame, died this morning. For several years he was a mate on an Allegheny River steamboat and during his service he saved eighteen lives. In 1875 he established a life-saving station at Atlantic City. Two years later his brother, Ned and Mike, joined him, making a team which soon became famous, and the records show that they have saved 532 lives. Their most noted achievement was the rescue by Christopher and Mike of four men, the crew of the Flora Curtis, a Maine schooner, which foundered two miles of Atlantic City. The government guards had not sufficient nerve to attempt the rescue. 

 As the result, the Bradfords were offered the Government station, but they declined it, preferring an independent work, which the public recognized by liberal contributions. On June 28, 1882, Christopher was stricken with paralysis, resulting from exposure. His right side was rendered helpless, but he still remained on the beach. Seated on an invalid chair he would watch the bathers, and his practice eye could in an instant detect any person in danger. He was thirty-eight years old and left a wife.

(New York Daily Tribune - 16 April 1885)

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