The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1910-03-03
DANGEROUS FORD.
J. U. Martin. Of Bethel Township, Had
Thrilling Experience Wednesday
Of Last Week.
WHY NOT GIVE THEM A BRIDGET

VI w o@hOoSs0J Va aesoe 'OOHA
Mr.. j. U. Martin left his home,
near Franklin Mills, to visit Car
nell's store at Dott, and IN so do.
ing had to cross Tonoloway creek
near the above named postoffice.
The creek at this time was about
It's normal condition; and while
he could not cross at the fording,
he crossed a short distance be.
low in safety, went on to the store,
made few purchases, and start.
ed at once to return home. But
when he reached the fording he
found conditions very much
changed, as the creek by this
time had become raging torrent,
made so by the melting of the
snow. Mr.. Martin hardly knew
what to do. 1t was almost dark;
and if he could not cross ct that
fording, he would be compelled
to drive at least eight miles IN
order to reach his home, which
was little more than a mile from
the creek. After some consulta.
ton with Mr.. w else, Mr.. Harry
Mann, Mr.. Oliver Mann, and your
scribe, he decided to try If pos
sible to cross; but when the mule
he was driving entered the creek,
1t soon became evident that 1t was
going to be very dangerous and
he paused. After more parley,
he decided to try to back out, but
even with help to pull the buggy
back the mule was unable to back
out; as the bank was steep and
ICY. Mr.. Martin had gotten out
of the buggy, was holding the
lines, and pondering what to do,
when the mule, tired of standing
In the ICY waters, started for
ward jerking the lines from Mr..
Martins grasp. The mule at
once started down stream, but
by obeying Mr.. Martins com.
mands, started to cross to the
other side. When within twelve
or fifteen feet of the opposite
bank the buggy upset throwing
the mule and then began the
roll down stream for life or death,
death plainly having the ad-
vantage. After rolling for over
100 yards, the buggy and mule
became separated, and the mule
foated out upon the bank of the
creek on the same side from
which he entered, but buggy,
robes, and store goods continued
down stream. The mule was
taken to the home of Mr.. VIM.
Downs where it was cared for
for the night, and Mr.. Martin
made his way home on foot.
Mr.. Martin Is like most of US
man of only ordinary means,
and the loss is not easily made
good.
This is not the only accident
near this ford, as q horse was
drowned few years ago just
where this accident occurred;
and only this winter, Mr.. James
Slayman came very near losing
a horse at the Franklin Mills
ford. by breaking through the
Ice, and DR.. Remsburg has fire.
quently been compelled to make
his professional visits In that vi.
cinlty on foot because of the im.
passable condition of the ford.
1t was only two or three years
ago that travelling salesman lost
his grip" containing about $50,
and never recovered 1t, and, about
the same time, two ladies' from
Franklin county, came very near
ly being drowned, and almost
ruined a suit-case-ful of good
clothes,
These are only q few of the
many accidents that have occur
red, to say nothing Of the cruelty
TO animals, and the inconvenience
to the public. The writer was
compelled to drive eight miles out
OF his way to reach home, the
same day that Mr.. Martins accl
dent occurred; and, after q team
has hauled . heavy load TO Han
cock, and returned within Q mile
and . half Of home, and then to
oe compelled 70 go eight miles
1Srther. 1t Is calculated TO make .
man have wicked thoughts.