Death in the Everglades: The Murder of Guy Bradley, America's First Martyr to Environmentalism

The Florida History and Culture Series

by Stuart B. McIver

”Guy Bradley’s colorful life and violent death have always seemed the stuff of myth. . . . Death in the Everglades is both compelling history and a heart-tugging drama.”— Audubon ”An eye-opening, informative account of the rise and demise of the cruel plume hunting trade and of Guy Bradley’s heroic dedication to protect a beautiful and valuable natural resource: the egrets and flamingoes, roseate spoonbills and herons that still grace the Glades and our shorelines.”— Miami Herald ”Rescues from obscurity a key chapter in the history of American environmentalism. . . . With great finesse, McIver evokes Bradley’s tumultuous world, chronicles the pitched battle to save wild birds, and resurrects a true folk hero.”— Booklist ”Reminds us that Glades once was so wild that armed men quaked with fear.”— St. Petersburg Times Guy Bradley, born in Chicago in 1870, was killed in 1905 only three years into his tenure as game warden in a south Florida that was still very much a frontier. His murderer, never prosecuted, was a one-eyed former Civil War sharpshooter who made his living supplying exotic plumage for women’s hats. At the time, an ounce of feathers was worth more than an ounce of gold. Bradley’s death sent shock waves across America and helped give impetus to the burgeoning environmental movement.  

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Crime, Animals, Environment, Nature, History

216 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2003

Reviews

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is supposed to be about the murder of Guy Bradley, but only a few of the 167 pages are actually concerned with him. It's really more an overview of the plume trade of the early 1900s and the start of the Audubon society. It's interesting, but because Bradley is given such a minor part in a book subtitled, "The Murder of Guy Bradley, America's First Martyr to Environmentalism", when his murder is briefly recounted near the end of the book, I just didn't care because the author gave very little space to him in the book.

[Josh Liller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death in the Everglades tells the story of South Florida pioneer Guy Bradley who famously became the first game warden murdered in the line of duty. It weaves together the life of Guy and his immediate family with the Audubon, plume hunting, and slices of pioneer life, especially the little village of Flamingo on Cape Sable. While I don't have any problem with much of the story not being about the Bradleys since Guy's death has to be put into the larger context of the environmental movement and plume hunting, the book really should have been titled more accurately. Something like: "Death in the Everglades: Pioneers, Plume Hunters, and America's First Martyr To Environmentalism."

The chapters are short. The writing is occasionally clever and occasionally repetitive, but generally okay. The author seems to have done good research, including the memoirs of Guy's childhood friend, Charlie Pierce and finding correspondence between Guy Bradley and the Audubon Society.

This is an okay book that never really clicked with me. I was probably more familiar with the topic than the average reader, which doesn't help in a short book like this. Guy's motivations remain unclear. This is probably an issue with the available source material rather than a fault of the author, but it leaves the book feeling a bit unsatisfying. Likewise unsatisfying, Guy's death is a bit anticlimatic as there is essentially only one witness (the murderer) and the case never went to trial. The larger story of the rise and fall of plume hunting and plume fashion (and the impact of Guy's death on the issue) felt inadequately explored to me.

I give it a mild recommendation. If the subject sounds interesting, but is largely unfamiliar to you'll probably find it worthwhile.

[lorena · Rating 2 out of 5]

i kinda feel bad about this one. the only reason i didn’t give it 1 star is because i respect guy bradley too much. the writing was subpar and the author would often go on tangents describing the entire life story of characters that would only serve a minor role in the lead up to guy bradley’s death

[Joseph Hirsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Death in the Everglades" takes the reader back to a time and place (roughly fin-de-siecle Florida), where the state was just shedding its status as the kind of place where a barefoot mailman could be devoured by an alligator while working his route, on into the years when the super-rich decided to make the swampy, almost tropical climes their wintering destination (and while I'm not an expert on the state, I'm familiar enough with its past and present to know that once the damn Yankees found Florida and got a hold of it, they never let go).

The book loosely follows the life of a one Guy Bradley, a man who hunted birds for their rich plumage, supplying the feathers (and sometimes the entire skins of the birds) to upper-crust women back East who liked to sport the feathers in their hats. The author has a good heart and a balanced enough viewpoint to understand that chiding people who were almost starving for hunting animals (even to near-extinction) was the only way someone of limited means and education might be able to better the lot of themselves and their families. The bygone world the author illuminates is one where the feathers of ibis, egret, and heron fetched sometimes twice as much as gold, on a per ounce basis. This makes it much easier to understand why hunters were willing not only to fire at rookeries until the last bird fell from its perch, but why they sometimes turned the guns on men trying to stop them from hunting. PETA didn't exist back then, either, and the Good Ole Boys network of Crackerdom was strong enough that more than a few obvious murders were swept under the rug, and the bodies themselves ended up as chum for the sharks in the Gulf of Mexico.

Where the book doesn't quite work for me is in ever drawing a convincing picture of Guy Bradley, the game warden in question, as anything but a prop and a kind of plaster saint for the Audubon Society. The picture of the man who went from hunter to game warden is sort of piecemeal and patchwork, cobbled together from correspondence, and buttressed by too many chapters that have little to do with the man in question. He may have been a "martyr" as the book's subtitle suggests, but he may have also just been a man who got into a quarrel with another man with whom he had some bad history (who, incidentally, alleged that Guy Bradley used to take potshots at his house on occasion).

I applaud conservationists, and anyone who gives their lives in an effort to protect animals has my utmost respect. And the book has much to recommend it, with its lush descriptions of Florida's near-jungles, and its keen grasp of local history and politics adds to the flavor, but there's a big hole in the shape of Guy Bradley at the center of this short book, at least for me. He is glanced, not seen, and since he's supposed to be the soul of the book that's a bit of a problem for me.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was kind of all over the place. Thankfully, there was a handy timeline. A really interesting story, especially since so much of it takes place in Flamingo. The best are the descriptions of the early settlement, not unlike today:

"The country is home to the mosquito in all its varities...It was a most desolate and forbidding region either on sea, if sea it may be called, or on the land."

[Peter Bridgford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book while visiting my folks in Vero Beach, finding it tucked in the local author section. It sounded interesting enough, so I purchased it and put it on the bedside table that acts as my reading queue. I grabbed it recently, got hooked, and brought it on a family vacation, where I finished it in a couple of days. The story is about Guy Bradley, a Floridian game warden murdered in the early 1900's near Flamingo, FLA, but the work is more about the modern history of the state and the beginnings of the environmental movements in this country. Florida, as hard as it is to believe today, was a wild place until the late 1880s and early 1890, when Flagler opened up the state with his railroad. Whereas the Wild West is always thought of as the frontier of the US, there were places in Florida that lacked law and the basic elements of civilization during the time when other American cities were building skyscrapers and developing public transportation. It was these stories of early Floridian history and the organized violence against plume birds and nature in general that really captivated me. Civil War vets, local crime families, grudges, and the lucrative fashion-driven hat industry are the supporting stars to Guy Bradley in this good little and fascinating book.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting short piece of non-fiction which brings to life the evolution of settlement to the southernmost region of Florida in the late 1800's and the impact of the plume trade on those who chose to live there. The book goes on to discuss the life of Guy Bradley, the first game warden of the region who was to enforce newly enacted bird protection acts and was killed in the line of duty. The book is actually less about Bradley and more about the circumstances of what life was like in the region at the time, and a discussion of early bird conservationism. Knowing next to nothing about Floridian history and even less about how an environmental ethos arrived to the Everglades, this was an interesting read and I would recommend it to anyone planning a visit to the region.

[Kaitlyn Barksdale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gave this book a 3/5 because, while the story was very good, it did get confusing at times with all the characters (some of which I felt were unnecessary) that the author brought in. I requested this book through my library after hearing about it on the podcast National Park After Dark, but also because I was taking a trip to Everglades National Park, specifically the area of the park this story occurred. I also realized that I had been to several other sites throughout Florida that were mentioned/significant in the Audubon Society’s fight for bird preservation. It’s always interesting to read a non-fiction book and be able to say, “I’ve been there.” Overall, an interesting story, though I think it could’ve been more concise in some places and better written.

[Saira Haider · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since it’s local history and the author clearly conducted a lot of interviews and some research, I wanted to give it three stars, but couldn’t bring myself to overlook some major flaws. First, the author’s asides about Black Floridians make it clear he considers them as second class citizens, people who only got in the way of the brave, white pioneers that history is made from. Second, some of the writing is pretty bad and the authors attempts to creat suspense are true cringe. Third, there are too many boring and irrelevant details. Fourth, just looking at a few of the references it’s not clear how much is hearsay and if his sources are solid.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book about some early South Florida history. I do think that the title is a bit of a misnomer, however. Yes, there is a murder, but it definitely is not the focus of the history and this is not a true crime book. The murder is more of the climax and it is an interesting case, but most of the book talks about the development, by white settlers, of South Florida, including Palm Beach and the keys. It also delves into early conservation efforts to protect the birds of the Everglades. It was interesting to read these early pieces of Florida history, but at times they were drawn out in an attempt to build tension for the murder alluded to in the title.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a native Floridian born near the Everglades, I was horrified and heartbroken reading this account. I knew of Guy Bradley's murder, but this book made him a real person--not just a news account--and the tragedy of his life and death became that much worse. As a bird lover, I was also aghast at the plume hunting trade, the fashion industry, and the callous disregard for the birds and their babies left to perish in the nests. I'm thankful some had the foresight to pass laws protecting the species for future generations.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Purchased at Guy Bradley Visitor Center in Flamingo, Everglades National Park, and read mostly on a bench in the shade with ocean breeze on hot, buggy afternoons. I could look out over Florida Bay and see the key where Bradley was shot. The descriptions of early life in Flamingo were astounding - how could you live in a place where you had to outfit baby carriages with smudge pots for the mosquitoes? Ugg. I knew a fair amount about the plume trade, but this story brought it into a human realm.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative book which paints a vivid picture of the lives of settlers in South Florida during the late 1800s and early 1900s, specifically those who had an influence in the Florida Bay, Palm Beach, and Ten Thousand Islands areas. As someone who has grown up in South Florida and spends a lot of time in the Everglades, I learned so much more about its history than I expected. This book does a great job of expanding on the people, politics, and other circumstances around Guy Bradley, the National Audubon Society, and the plume trade.

[Theresa Feeser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offered an environmental perspective on the history of early Florida. I thoroughly enjoyed Death in the Everglades and can honestly admit that I learned a lot about the near total devastation of the Florida bird population in the 1800's by the plume hunters. Guy Bradley and others like him were true environmentalists and we have so much to thank them for. Great story that needed to be told.

[Nick K · Rating 3 out of 5]

While wonderfully informative, I have to agree with others who gave this book less than positive reviews: it doesn’t end up being about Guy Bradley. The author’s tangents can make the book a bit confusing to follow. The parts about Guy Bradley are excellent, though. This being said- the information contained within is good and as a Florida native I won’t complain about learning more about how my state came to be the way.

[Lori Goshert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected to skim this book for research purposes, but it was an engaging read. Well written! There were a lot of characters and it was a bit hard to keep track of them, but that can't really be helped in a biography.

[Jim Poling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of an important yet somewhat unknown figure in south Florida and Everglades history. It’s not a real page turner but the story is interesting. Guy Bradley made the ultimate sacrifice for something he truly believed in.

[Joanne Lebrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I sat in the Everglades I poured over this book. Great account of a horrible time during the development of Florida including the Keys and Everglades. Recommended by rangers at the park for good reason!!

[Chester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent history and inspiring. Many Florida real life legends mentioned and relationships to various families and events. Keep for reference.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating! Should be required reading for all birders and anyone who believes in wildlife conservation.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

justice for Guy!

[Charles Reimler · Rating 4 out of 5]

1905 Environmental History Resulted In Murder Due To ‘Fashion (Hat)’ Demands For PLUME (Feathers). (Book $ Library Sale) BIRD LOVERS Engaging Read Admirers Of National Audubon Society

[Joe Halpern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this through the same University of Florida course syllabus where I discovered the other Florida book, and I thought this one was fascinating. It taught me a lot about a history that I never knew existed, and about power structures more broadly. Guy Bradley wasn't really explored too much as a person (surely due to a lack of primary evidence), but his story was detailed thoroughly enough. He was killed while serving as game warden, protecting plume birds from game hunters, who sold plume feathers to the fashion industry in New York. There's a lot of tragedy in this book, most obviously Guy Bradley's death and the slaughter of plume birds in Florida. What makes it all the more tragic is that better, more forward-looking policy design (basic environmental protection from the start, support for the plume hunters after the conservation laws were passed, laws that went after the fashion industry who created the demand for plume feathers in the first place, etc.) could've prevented all of it.

[Russ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is an excellent read. It tells the story of the plume trade that decimated the bird population in the Everglades and led to the death of the first warden from the Audubon Society, Guy Bradley. While the book will be of great interest to those concerned with the environmental issues of the Everglades, it's a worthwhile read for anyone who is curious about the history of the early environmental movement in the United States. It's at time a poignant reminder of why parts of the Everglades are today so silent, the skies so empty.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good non-fiction companion for Shadow Country/Killing Mr. Watson trilogy by Peter Matthiessen. Many of the same characters but more perspective on the plume hunters.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative! (and not written too stiffly)

[Loren · Rating 4 out of 5]

a well researched and written history of plume hunting and the Everglades, Southwest Florida