Write On!

              - 1 0 - A Near Tragedy
A NEAR TRAGEDY
Betty Welter, Grande Prairie W. I.
2nd Place, Memoir, 2002
The spring of 1935 arrived early and very rapidly with a strong,
steady and warm southwest wind. We had been making plans to go to town as
this was the day the baby chicks were to arrive on the train. No hatchery here
at the time so chicks were ordered from Edmonton weeks in advance. These
day old chicks arrived in a very sturdy, 50 to 100 size cardboard box lined with
excelsior plus holes in the sides and lid to allow for air in transit. We lived
seven miles from our train station and they had to be transported home by
horse and wagon. Box covered up with blankets for some warmth, I held the
box on my knee hoping to lessen some bumps from the very rough road due
to spring breakup.
Dad and I left home with the usual list of weekly errands to be
attended to before train arrival time. The closer we got to town the worse the
road conditions got and more water everywhere. We lived southwest of town
and had to cross Bear Creek. That bridge was the one and only one then save
the trestle railway one a bit farther south. Horrors! As we came over the hill the
entire Bear Creek flat was under water as the creek had overflowed it's banks.
It was a huge roaring, noisy mass of swirling muddy water full of huge ice
slabs, driftwood and junk in general being rapidly swept along its way. Now the
bridge deck was just above this churning mass and our horses sensed the
danger. " Polly" hesitated and snorted whereas Topsy" was really spooked so
Dad had to urge them on right now with the flip of the whip. The bridge was
shaking slightly from the force of the rapidly moving water and debris in it.
Relief - we were across and now to do the most important errands and be at
the station when the train arrived.
I can remember running to the Post office and the drug store for
weekly papers while dad was at the grocery and hardware shops. I'm sure
some shoppers must have wondered why this tall, skinny blonde girl was
tearing around town. I knew anyway and had an urgent job to do and in a
hurry too.
To the train station as the train was arriving and slowing to a stop.
Dad knew Mr. Card, our stationmaster, and he was always very helpful and
considerate. Dad explained how urgent our mission was and to get the chicks
right now and across the bridge in case it was swept away. As soon as the
baggage car door opened, Mr. Card requested the box of chicks, through the
check out counter, onto the wagon and on our way home.
Bear Creek had risen another two or three inches and seemed to be
moving faster than ever. What tension - would the bridge break away and go
down with the rushing water - a frightening possibility. The horses knew they
were headed for home but were still very leery of the flood conditions. Topsy
again protested about proceeding and certainly let us know too. Dad definitely