Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-09-24
MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.
From Drowning Of Mrs {. C.
Dudley and Mrs.,H. K. Baker,
At Strick|and's Ferry, Wednesday
--po'ses Backed the Carriage
OF the Ferry Boat lato Rivsr-NearIy Exhaust.
ed When Rescued.

Mr. and Mrs. e. c. Dudley of this
city, and Mrs. Dudley's parents, Judge
and Mrs. Baker of Hallowell, met with
an accident, Wednesday, which they
will always remember and they are
being congratulated on all sides that
they are alive to tell of the accident
1t has been the custom of Judge and
Mrs. Baker to take a carriage drive
across the country every summer and
this year they prevailed upon Mr.. and
Mrs. Dudley to accompany them. They
were to have started, Tuesday morn
ing, but owing to the rain they did not
get away until Wednesday morning. 1t
was their intention to drive to Canton
before stopping for the night, and then
proceed through to the Dixville Notch,
where they would stop short time be-
fore returning, intending to be away
from home about 10 days. At dinner
time they stopped at Wayne and after
AAuo StoA lSN oEOA SASAi way AeASih6
thus far met with nothing to mar the
pleasure of the trip. ~~.-
At about o'clock they reached
Strickland Ferry across the AndrOscOg-
gin river, which is about 900 feet wide
at this point. All went well until they
were we'll across the river, when one of
the horses became frightened and be-
gan to back, frightening the other
horse and together they backed the
carriage into the water. Judge Baker
and Mr.. Dudley had gotten out of the
carriage upon driving upon the boat so
only Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Dudley were
in the carriage. The water at the point
where the team went off the boat was
ing and swimming down river.
When the carriage went over the
back of the boat, Mrs. Dudley, who was
sitting upon the front seat, grasped the
top corner of the carriage and there she
held on until released. Mrs. Baker
grasped the side of the top with one
hand and with the other the cushion of
the front seat, as it floated by her.
The ferryman cast adrift from the
cable and the boat gained upon the
carriage, the top of which was just out
of the water Mr.. Dudley called tc
them to hold on until they arrived, and
vigorously helped propel the boat.
When short distance away it was
old. was fast becoming exhausted.
Seconds seemed like hours to them all
and it seemed as though the boat was
not gaining an inch. Mr.. Dudley took
a pole about Is feet long and leaning
over extended it to Mrs. Dudley, who
grasped it and pulled the carriage to-
ward the boat Mrs. Baker was slowly
sinking and just as her head was dis
appearing under water Mr.. Dudley
with great effort seized her and as
sisted by the ferryman, pulled her upon
the boat, after which they rescued Mrs.
Dudley.
Then their attentions were directed
toward saving the horses. A young
man had by this time come to their
rescue in a boat, and he held the
horses heads up while the other re-
leased them, and with great difficulty
they were towed to the shore.
A large crew of men hauled the car
riage from the water, and others pur-
sued the baggage, that was in the car
riage, in boats and succeeded in getting
everything but Mrs. Bakers hand
satchel, which contained her purse,
Mrs. Dudley's cape and carriage
robe.
Neither of the ladies lost conscious
ness but stood up bravely under the
severe nervous strain. They were
taken to the ferryman's house, where
they were kindly cared for until their
return home, Thursday noon, arriving
in Augusta about G o'clock.
The Journal has received a letter
from F. E. Cleveland, member of the
| Connecticut board of education for the
| l. L., <I,1 anti ~.