The Mahnomen Pioneer

AUTOMOBILE
ACCIDENT

Couple Narrowly Escape Drowning When Car Goes Off Road Into Ditch Just North of Town

Interest in the proposition of raising turkeys, nearly cost the lives of Mr. and Mrs. William Schliger and their 10-year old daughter, of Pequot, Monday. Mr. and Mrs. Schliger have 150 turkeys of their own, and when coming in from the North Monday noon they were naturally attracted by the larger number of potential Thanksgiving dinners that they saw at the outskirts of this village. They were driving very slow when a car came up behind them and asked for the road to pass. Mr. Schliger turned out farther than he would have done had he not been so interested in the turkeys, and went into the ditch, which was carrying enough water to completely submerge the mother and daughter. Mrs. Schliger could raise her head, but the little girl's father had to help her keep her face above the water.

John N. Johnson, fortunately was nearby and assisted the unfortunate people, as did Mr. Janda, who was caring for the turkeys that were the cause of the accident. They succeeded in raising the car enough to release the victims of the accident from the most perilous and uncomfortable predicament. Had not help been near, fatalities must surely have followed. The car could not be taken out of the ditch without a wrecker. The top was smashed, but otherwise the car was not injured very much. It was a Ford runabout with a truck body. Mr. and Mrs. Schliger went on the following day, grateful to those who helped them out.

While they were still in the water, one sedan passed them without stopping to offer help.