Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1908-02-20
over A 7O-FOOT
EMBANKMENT

The raging waters that accompany
the annual break up are apt to cause
many thrilling experiences among peo-
pie, even if they do not result in loss
of life. 1t is seldom, however, that
they lead to more daring adventure
than took place on Saturday, the hero
of which..was G. M. Dyer, the we'll
known dairyman of Valley township.
During the forenoon while Mr.. Dy-
er was serving his patrons in town,
Mahouing creek attained height OF
some six feet on the wagon road at
Mausdale, which made it unsafe to at
tempt to cross. Many of the farmers
who had driven into town during the
morning in returning home took the
road leading over Bald top.
Mr.. Dyer, however, decided to try
the cycle path. The latter as its name
implies is only path" and was new
er designed to accommodate wagons.
At most seasons, however, it is possi-
BILE to drive along the cycle path, al
though at couple of points where the
bank is high and precipitous it re-
quires the utmost care.
On Saturday, however, snow and ice
had to be reckoned with. Mr.. Dyer
took every precaution possible and
thought he could avoid mishap. He
was accompanied by boy named John
Phile, who led the horse. while Mr.
DYER, himself, held on the rear end Of
the wagon whenever any of the mar
row places were passed.
Finally the most dangerous point of
all was reached. This is located some
where near half way between Danville
and Mausdale, where the bank is some
seventy feet high and is SO steep that
it is impossible for man to climb up
or down without clinging to the
bushes for support, At the foot of the
embankment flows Mahoning creek,
which Saturday was iu a boiling. rag
ing torrent. The narrow road here
was covered with bed of snow and
ice.
While the boy led the horse over the
treacherous spot Mr.. Dyer following
behind endeavored to prevent the
wheels from sliding He was unable
to hold the wagon, however, and down
it went over the high and PERCEPTIONS
bank. The horse endeavored to keep
his foothold, but it was only for mo-
ment the heavy milk wagon as it
rolled down over the embankment
dragged the horse along.
The spectacle was thrilling one, as
the horse and wagon rolling over and
over went down to the raging torrent
At one time in the seventy foot fall
the horse was under the vehicle.
Reaching the bottom the wagon, rear
end downward, lodged against lar g
tree, around which the edge of the
swollen waters had risen. The NOM
entum, however, swung the horse
around and he fell plump into the
creek with his head toward Danville.
Unable to dislodge the wagon and held
fast by the harness the horse was in
danger of drowning in the deep water,
when Mr.. Dyer regardless of his own
peril, dashed down the steep mountain
side and plunged into the stream for
the purpose of cutting the harness
Some idea of the mans peril as we'll
as his pluck may be derived when it
is explained that the water was up to
his chin and that he not only succeed
ed in maintaining foothold but also
in actually cutting tie harness and in
liberating the horse.
The intelligent animal when be
realized that he was free, mad no at
tepmt to climb the precipitous bank
down which he had so unceremonious-
ly descended, but added another chap
ter to the thrilling occurrence by
plunging into the deepest part of the
stream and attempting to swim to the
opposite shore. There were big cakes
of ice to take into account as we'll as a
current that swept the horse down
stream, but he held on bravely and at
last struck bottom on the opposite side
and waded outTon shore.
Soon after the horse was caught in
the meadow" and brought back to
town, where oddly enough it was
found that he had practically escaped
all injury. 1t was decided Saturday
to make no attempt to remove the
milk wagon until the creek falls to a
normal level, when the vehicle will
be pulled across into the meadow. The
vehicle is but little the worse for the
accident All the glass is broken and
one or two other parts are damaged, but
that is all. The milk wagon was new.
Funeral of MrS Mau1er