JEROME ARTHUR DICK

ANOTHER LIFE CLAIMED BY THE OPEN DRAW
Jerome Dick Loses Life When Car Goes Into River
Another life has been ? to the danger lurking in the open bridge draw.
Jerome Dick, well known business man and head of the Dick Bros. Bakery
company, having met death early Saturday evening when his automobile
plunged into the river from the north approach at Tenth street while
the bridge was open for a passing carferry. Fred La Jennessee, a
Milwaukee salesman, who was in the car with Mr. Dick either fell or was
thrown out of the automobile just before it plunged over the abutment,
and he escaped unhurt. The body of Mr. Dick was recovered from the river
four hours after the tragedy and the car, a Ford touring car, was also
recovered. The body of Mr. Dick was taken to the Urbanek & Wattawa
undertaking rooms and removed to the home later. Two gashes on the head
may have been caused by the ice or contact with the windshield or frame
of the car when Mr. Dick was thrown from the machine as it made the fatal
plunge. Physicians said that there was little water in the lungs which
would indicate that the unfortunate man had been stunned.
On Way to Train.
The accident happened at 6 o'clock while Mr. Dick was driving Mr. La
Jennessee to the Northwestern station, the Milwaukee man desiring to leave
for his home on the evening train. Mr. Le Jennessee, whose home is at 185
Garfield avenue, Milwaukee is a sales agent for a door spring and was at the
Dick Bros. bakery where he has made sales, when Mr. Dick returned to the
store from a business errand in the city. Mr. Dick desired to secure some
additional springs and was told by Mr. LeJennessee that the latter had some
in a grip at the Northwestern station and Mr. Dick volunteered to drive to
the station with the agent.
Car Turns Around.
With but a few minutes to elapse before the train was due Mr. Dick was
evidently hurrying on his mission and was driving at a good rate of speed
when he turned on Tenth street and Mr. LaJennessee said that he called
attention of Mr. Dick to the fact that the bridge was opening as the car
approached Commercial street. Police officer William Lash, who had just
crossed the bridge to the north side, saw the danger of the car and its
occupants and stepped into the street and signaled Mr. Dick to stop but
the car was going too fast and the officer had to step aside to avoid
being hit. A woman pedestrian shouted warning as the car neared the
approach and Mr. Dick evidently applied his brakes. The car slowed but
its speed turned it completely around and Mr. LaJennessee rolled from his
seat onto the approach just as the automobile, with Mr. Dick, left the
abutment and plunged downward, turning on its side as it fell.
Dick Out of Car.
Mr. Dick was thrown from the car as it struck the water but he was unable
to swim and had probably been dazed so that it would have been impossible
for him to save himself in any event. Before Officer Lash, who secured a
life buoy and the carferry crew who threw out a line could aid, Mr. Dick
had gone down to his death.
Capt. Larsen's Story.
Capt. Larsen of the Ann Arbor ferry, in report of the accident said: "The
bridge was slow in opening and I had brought the ferry almost to a stop.
I saw the automobile tearing down the street and sounded two sharp blasts
of the whistle as a warning but it was evidently impossible for the driver
to stop. I think that the car plunged into the river sideways, skidding as
the brakes were applied, as there was a covering of snow on the approach.
We shouted to the people on the approach to throw a buoy into the river but
there seemed to be delay in getting a rope released and I threw one from
the ferry. I could see the man in the water and I thought I heard him shout
but am not certain. We backed the ferry but had to stop because we feared
striking the man and after we had reversed the engines the man had disappeared.
Lash's Statement.
"I had just crossed the bridge exchanged greetings with the tenders and was
near the corner of Commercial street when I saw the car approaching and
stepped into the street and held up my hand but the driver sounded his horn
and I had to clear the way," said Officer Lash, after the accident. He told
of his efforts to get a line to Dick after the car left the approach and
later climbed down the abutment in an effort to reach Mr. Dick who, however,
disappeared from view under the water.
Body is Recovered.
Chief Trochlell who reached the scene a few minutes after the accident,
directed the work of recovering the body. Officers Ed. Ladwig and Lash,
with B. Nespor, a brother in law of Mr. Dick, making the search which was
rewarded at 10 when the body was pulled from the water at the west side
of the abutment near several piles. The car had previously been taken out
by the police with aid of a scow secured at the shipyards.
Tragedy Arouses Public.
News of the accident spread quickly and a large crowd visited the scene to
watch the work for recovery of the car and body. There was strong censure
voiced for city officials for failure to take some steps to protect the
bridge draws.
Mr. Dick Well Known.
Jerome Dick had been a resident of this city nine years and was well and
favorably known and universally respected. He was born at Hooglide, Belgium
in March, 18?4 and came to the United States in April ? locating at Green Bay
where he ? his business and remained for four years. He came to Manitowoc in
1910? And with his brother purchased the Chapman bakery and later acquired the
buildings. He was married Nov. ? 1913 to Lad?? Nespor who with two children,
George, aged three and Dorothy aged five survive. Two brothers, Hector, this
city and Julius in Belgium also survive. Mr. Dick recently purchased the Salak
home on Chicago street? Improved the property and on Saturday for the first
time the new heating plant in the home had been put into service. Mr. Dick had
been successful in business and to a friend said recently: "I am just beginning
to see enjoyment in life. I have worked hard and have had little chance until
lately to get acquainted but I am doing it now." Deceased was a member of the
Elks, Eagles and the United Commercial Travelers and the funeral will be under
auspices of the Travelers and will be attended by the other organizations.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon from the late home at 815
Chicago street.
Manitowoc Herald News, Monday, December 08, 1919 Page 1
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(d. 6 Dec. 1919/cause: drowned/from record of St. James Epis. ch., Manitowoc)
[bur. 12-09-1919/cause: accidental drowning/bur. on Ladonia Dick lot]
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Marriage of Jerome (d.1919)/Ladonna Dick
MISS NESPOR BRIDE OF J. DICK TODAY
Northside Girl is Wedded to Buffalo St. Businessman
A pretty wedding was celebrated at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. John Nespor,
North Eighth Street at high noon today, Miss Ladonia Nespor becoming the bride
of Jerome Dick, Judge Chloupek officiating. The couple was attended by Hector
Dick and Blanche Nespor. Mr. Dick and bride departed this afternoon for a trip
to Niagara and will return here to be at home to friends at 808 Buffalo Street
after Nov. 18.
The bride is one of the well known young ladies of the city, a graduate of the
High School, class of 1905 and of the County Training School and later was
engaged as a teacher in the county for six years. Mr. Dick came here three years
ago from Green Bay and is a member of the firm of Dick Bros. proprietors of a
bakery on Buffalo Street. The couple will have the well wishes of a host of
friends.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Mon., Nov. 3, 1913