Whole family has narrow escape

This story appeared in The Ypsilanti Daily Press of Tuesday, March 10, 1908

Roy Dickson, wife and two children, aged 20 months and six months old respectively, had a narrow escape from drowning on Friday. They were driving from the residence of Chas. McIntyre, to there home on the Marion Merritt farm, when the accident occurred.

A creek, which is dry in summer time, had owing to the thaw, became a raging stream of water so high that it covered the road. Mr. Dickerson had driven over this road only a few hours previous, and found the water just a few inches deep and did not anticipate any danger. He had crossed a small bridge on his way back, when the water struck his buggy, and he with his family were swept into the stream and carried nearly 30 yards in water over their heads. Mrs. Dickerson had the baby in her arms and pluckily hung to thee child. The water was over her head, and as she came to the top a second time she grasped a fence and hung on.

Mr. Dickerson in the meantime, with the older child had effected a landing on the side opposite his wife.

Palmer Gridley saw their predicament and with help took them to the Fullington farm, where they were cared for. The baby was only revived after it had been worked over for an hour and a half.

The horse when rescued had only its nose sticking about the water.