Fifth Street Canal Bridge, Defiance Ohio DLP Bronson Photo

    Landlord Kirtley of the Crosby House, gave a startling exhibition of diving at the Fifth Street Canal bridge, when he took a header from his buggy into the murky waters of the Miami & Erie canal and those who witnessed the leap say the genial hotel man performed the feat as graceful as a frightened bull frog.
    Mr. Kirtley started with Gemmie Lucas, one of his boarders for a pleasure drive. They drove into the canal bridge without observing that a boat was about to pass through. The horse reached the landing when the boat struck the bridge, and horse, buggy and went into the water.
    Mr. Kirtly jump into the canal and thus avoided having the animal or vehicle land on him. Mr. Lucas did not fare as badly as the landlord, for he succeeded in getting on a log which serves as a guard to boats and only got one leg into the mud.

    The horse and buggy were recovered and escaped without injury.

    While the accident might have proven serious there was some very amusing features connected with it. Mr. Kirtley and Mr.Lucas took their misfortune good nature and enjoyed a laugh over the predicament they were placed in.

                 Defiance Crescent News       7 July 1900

Fifth Street Canal Bridge, Defiance, Ohio