A Near-Drowning at the Mill
A young man is saved from the water by a mill employee who has a reputation for bravery.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Arthur Hovey, son of J. P. Hovey, the manager of Hanson's store in Tacoma city, was nearly drowned on Saturday last. It appears that he was about to put off from the shore in a boat, and fell overboard, and was just sinking for the last time when he was rescued by Mr. A. J. Babcock, one of the employes at the mill. Mr. Babcock has been instrumental in saving several persons from a watery grave within the last few years, and he ought to receive some recognition for his bravery.
“Mr. Babcock has been instrumental in saving several persons from a watery grave within the last few years.”
This incident highlights the inherent dangers of life and work on the waterfront of Puget Sound during the 19th century, when industry and daily life were constantly interrupted by proximity to deep, cold water.
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