A Near-Fatal Plunge into Lake Union

Three young girls named Maggie Brown, Gertrude Winsor, and Gertie Cox narrowly escaped being drowned in Lake Union yesterday afternoon, and were rescued only after great efforts by Frank Latey and a gentleman who disappeared after the deed was accomplished. The three girls and Isabel Scanlon, all of whom lived in the neighborhood of Lenora and Sixth streets in North Seattle, wandered down to Lake Union to the boulevard running along the west shore. They followed this until the Lake Union water-works were reached, where they found a boom of logs belonging to the Western Mill Company. The Scanlon girl stayed on the planks of the boulevard, while her companions got down upon the logs. All went well for a short time, but as the girls tripped over the logs—which lay in water about thirty feet deep—they all gathered on one log, which rolled slightly. As they became frightened and tried to steady themselves, the log rolled over, and all three were precipitated headlong into the water. Their cries were heard by Frank Latey, who was working on a house nearby, and a man walking along the boulevard. Both men rushed to the spot and rescued the girls from their dangerous and decidedly chilly situation. Gertrude Winsor was taken home at once; the others were taken to Mrs. Foster's house nearby, their wet clothing removed, and care taken to avoid the danger of illness from the icy bath.