Storm of the century causes teenager’s death

On June 5, 1932, Almont experienced what could easily be called the “storm of the century”. A severe thunderstorm rolled into the area about 4 p.m. A severe thunderstorm differs from an ordinary thunderstorm in four ways. A severe thunderstorm lasts longer (usually several hours), it has significant electrical activity, it has high winds (40 mph minimum), and it has torrential rainfall (in this incident five to six inches per hour or more).

The storm moved out of the area about 6 p.m. Within the township the rainfall caused all of the rivers, streams, and drainage ditches to overflow their banks. The Farnum Drain (called Shus-hu-ga creek by the Huron Indians), which runs through the west side of the Village at the bottom of the hill on West St. Clair Street, was running over the top of West St. Clair Street by more than a foot and over the “Lovers Lane” walkway on the south side of West St. Clair by four to five feet. The Clinton River was over a foot higher than the bridge deck on South Main Street. The Liberty Creamery, which was located on the east side of Van Dyke and south of the Clinton River had the water wash out the creamery’s floor. The Clinton River washed out East St. Clair near Kidder Road and a couple hundred yards further east it took out Almont Road.

Most of the culverts on the gravel roads were washed out or severely damaged. The small bridges, if they survived, were damaged to the point of being hazardous to travel over. Travel throughout township was nearly impossible.

Along the waterways, telephone poles and electric poles had their bases washed out, which resulted in power outages through the township and partial loss of telephone communication. Additionally, the poles carrying the high tension power lines had been washed away. Unlike today when the high tension power lines are on tall metal towers, then the high tension lines were on taller wooden poles.

The combination of wind and water took down a number of trees which added to the difficulty of moving around the township.

About 7:30 p.m., Theodore Dombrowski was headed home. Theodore’s family lived just to the west of town at the old Atcheson farm (Lovell’s and now Schapman’s). Theodore was born July 17, 1917, in either Detroit or Rochester, Michigan to Louis (1890- ) and Mary Czajka Dombrowski (1888-1970). He was their third son and third child.

Though the level of water in the Farnum Drain had slightly receded, the water was still over the road and flowing rapidly. Theodore and Dick Ovens and several of their friends were on the north side of West St. Clair and to the east of the drain. The ground near the water was wet and slippery.
Unfortunately, Theodore slipped and fell into the water. As he fell, Dick grabbed his arm but could not hold on to him. The swiftly flowing water then pulled Theodore down and through the culvert under West St. Clair.

His friends ran across the road to see if he came up on the other side—they could not see him. The water was so deep and dirty that you couldn’t see anything within the water. A couple of the boys ran to get help.

For the next three hours, an extensive search was conducted downstream from the bridge but with no success. Finally about 10:30 p.m., Theodore’s body was found where the Farnum Drain joins the Clinton River—south of the Pere Marquette turntable (now Edward Murphy Memorial Park). A “pulmotor” was used to try to resuscitate Theodore but was unsuccessful. A “pulmotor” is a mechanical device that was used to attempt to resuscitate drowning victims. It pulls water out of the lungs and inputs oxygen. It pulled out water and sand from Theodore’s lungs.

Theodore’s funeral was at the Catholic Church in Imlay City, and he was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Imlay Cemetery.

I was made aware of this story just prior to the pandemic. A high school classmate, Rosemary Dombrowski Feys, played golf with my wife, Cindie and she told Cindie that while trying to get home, her Uncle Theodore had drown in the Farnum. I do not know what lead to Rosemary telling this story but it was the last thing that Cindie told me that (eventually) led to this article. Rosemary commented that this was a story that would probably be eventually forgotten. I told Cindie that I would see if I could prevent the story from being forgotten.

COVID closed the libraries so this story was put on hold, and I only recently got around to doing the research. A story was on the front page of the Lapeer County Press on June 6, 1932.

Additionally, Reid Cameron’s journal contained an extensive story about the incident. Mr. Cameron’s journal normally included only a three or four line entry each day but the entries for June 5 and 6 covered over a page and a half.

Copies of the Almont Historical Society’s various books can be purchased by contacting Jim Wade at 810-796-3355 or jrwade49@ gmail.com or stopping by the museum on Saturdays from 1-4 p.m.