Guy Bradley

Who Was Guy Morrell Bradley?

Was Guy Morrell Bradley a hero or just another man caught in the crossfire of history’s environmental battles? Born in Chicago in 1870, Bradley’s life took an unexpected turn when his family moved to Florida. At first, he worked as a guide for fishermen and plume hunters, but something changed him.

When legislation protected birds, Guy Morrell Bradley denounced poaching. In 1902, he became one of the country’s first game wardens, tasked with protecting wading birds from hunters in the vast and unforgiving Everglades. His journey was fraught with danger, but his commitment to conservation remains a beacon.

From Guide to Guardian

In the mid-1890s, Edwin’s family moved to Flamingo in Monroe County, near the Everglades. Guy became head of the Florida Coast Line Canal and Transportation Company and sold land for railroads. In 1900, he married Sophronia Vickers Kirvin from Key West. When the American Ornithologists’ Union model law outlawed plume bird killing, Kirk Munroe recommended Guy for the game warden position due to his reformed plume hunting habits.

Bradley was hired as a game warden and deputy sheriff in 1900, tasked with enforcing the new laws. He traveled to Key West to secure his appointment and began patrolling the Everglades to report suspected poachers. Bradley took his job seriously, educating locals about the law and warning signs, but faced difficulties.

The Battle for Conservation

In 1903, President Roosevelt created the first wildlife refuge in the US, Pelican Island, and its warden joined forces with Bradley. By 1904, the Audubon organizations had 34 wardens employed in ten states. However, Bradley became a vilified figure in southern Florida due to his solo work, having been shot at more than once.

One fateful day on July 8, 1905, Guy M. Bradley was fatally wounded by Walter Smith while on his way to arrest Smith’s sons for poaching. Smith claimed self-defense but was found not guilty of murder due to insufficient evidence. Bradley died after drifting 10 miles from the scene with severe bleeding. Smith served only five months in jail and later had his home burned down.

Bradley’s death led to a lack of protection for rookeries, resulting in continued lawlessness and devastation of bird habitats. A month after a poaching incident, the body of Guy M. Bradley, a game warden, was found with signs of axe wounds; his hat and other evidence suggested he was killed by poachers who were never caught despite a $100,000 reward.

Legacy and Recognition

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation established the Guy Bradley Award to recognize achievements in wildlife law enforcement, while the Audubon Society Everglades Ecosystem Restoration Campaign created the Guy Bradley Lifetime Conservation Award. After a renovation, the Flamingo Visitor Center was renamed to Guy Bradley Visitor Center.

Remembering a Hero

Bradley’s story has been depicted in literature and film, including a short story by Marjory Stoneman Douglas and a 1958 film starring Christopher Plummer and Burl Ives. His legacy lives on through the Guy Bradley Visitor Center, which stands as a testament to his dedication.

So, who was Guy Morrell Bradley? A man whose life and death became a symbol of the struggle for environmental conservation. His story is a reminder that sometimes, it takes a hero to protect our natural world.