Boy Frustrates Drowning of His Sisters, Mother

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Wednesday, August 28, 1935.

Andrew Mayer, 11, living near the intersection of Packard road and US 23 is credited with saving the lives of his temporarily deranged mother and two small sisters at 7:30 this morning when he prevented the parent from thrusting the children into a cistern and leaping in herself.

His sisters are, Anna and Helen, 6 and 7 years old, and his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Mayer, 44, who became despondent over domestic difficulties.

Frustrated in her attempt to throw any of the three children in the reservoir at the rear of the home, Mrs. Mayer endeavored to take her own life, but screams of the children attracted Carl Gundrum, a neighbor, and he arrived in time to prevent the mother from disappearing in the cistern.

Mrs. Mayer had slipped in the well to her waist when Mr. Gundrum grabbed her and despite her determined efforts succeeded in pulling her from the hole.