Thrills of the Highway Patrol 38-08-03 Case 024 Girl Falls In The Creek

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Thrills of the Highway Patrol – Episode: "Case 024: Girl Falls In The Creek"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Episode Date: November 4, 2025
Original Broadcast: August 3, 1938

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Overview

This episode of Thrills of the Highway Patrol dramatizes a real-life rescue case from California’s 1938 Highway Patrol files: the story of two children, Larry Barrett and Annie Holderegger, who become lost in the woods near Lake Tahoe after a fishing trip goes awry. The episode explores themes of child safety, the dangers of the wilderness, and the vital cooperation between local citizens and law enforcement in emergencies. It also highlights the importance of leaving clear plans and following simple safety rules.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introductory Remarks and Road Safety Campaign

[00:38–02:47]

• The narrator opens with official statistics, highlighting a reduction in fatal and injury accidents in 1938 compared to the previous year, crediting improved public cooperation.
• Listeners are encouraged to request a vehicle code summary and a "I've enlisted" sticker as part of California's safe driving campaign.
• Golden rule emphasized: "Drive as you would have others drive."

2. The Incident: Children Go Fishing

[02:47–05:50]

• Larry and Annie prepare to leave for fishing with parental supervision.
• Lighthearted banter as they approach Blackwood Creek, showing their youthful enthusiasm (“This here is a waterproof match carrier…”), but also their lack of preparedness.
• After a playful exchange about fishing (“Oh, Larry, I’m falling. Oh, give me a pole. The fish will get away. Oh, help me out of the water.” [04:19]), Annie falls into the creek, dampening both her spirits and their plans.

3. The First Signs of Danger

[05:50–06:46]

• With Annie wet and cold, the children attempt a shortcut home as night falls, making navigation difficult and increasing the parents' concern.
• Mrs. Barrett grows anxious, calling neighbors for help and realizing it's well past the promised return time.

4. Search and Rescue Mobilization

[06:46–08:40]

• Officer Walker and neighbors quickly organize a search party.
• The seriousness of the situation is underscored: “It's pretty dangerous for a couple of kids to be wandering around up in those mountains. They're liable to fall down or get caught in the water or something.” – Officer Walker [08:09]
• Four search parties are organized to cover different routes, emphasizing coordination and urgency.

5. Frustration and Perseverance

[08:40–10:51]

• Hours pass. Tension and despair rise as parents wait for news.
• Multiple false alarms—teams return, having found no trace.
• Realistic depiction of search fatigue: “They shouted themselves hoarse.” [09:20]
• Despite exhaustion: “You can't stop now.” – Mrs. Barrett [09:48]
  “We don't intend to stop.” – Officer Walker [09:52]

6. Breakthrough and Rescue

[10:20–12:26]

• Officer Walker’s team finally locates the children’s footprints.
• The children, too cold to call loudly, resort to throwing rocks to attract attention (“That must be the kids throwing them at us. They can see our lights.” – Officer Walker [11:57]).
• They are found safe, though exhausted and nearly frozen.

7. Reflection and Safety Message

[12:26–14:38]

• The real Annie Holderegger is introduced to address the audience, sharing the direct lesson from her ordeal:

  “My advice to all children is don’t get lost. Remember, it gets dark very quickly in the mountains. But if by chance you should get lost, I think you should stop where you are and not make it more difficult for the people searching for you to find you. And above all, remember to leave word at home where you're going and then go there.” – Annie Holderegger [13:18]

• Officer Walker reinforces Annie’s advice for all children: “Be sure to tell your parents where you’re going and then go there. Don’t get lost.” [14:16]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The Importance of Planning:
  “If you have not already become a member of California's growing army of safe, thoughtful and courteous drivers… remember the golden rule of the road. Drive as you would have others Drive.” – Narrator/Announcer [01:56]

• Children's Banter – Mood Before Trouble:
  “Oh, Larry, I’m falling. Oh, give me a pole. The fish will get away. Oh, help me out of the water.” – Annie Holderegger [04:19]

• Escalating Parental Fear:
  “I don't know what to do. You don't suppose they're lost, do you?” – Mrs. Barrett [06:46]

• Community Resolve:
  “We’ll do everything humanly possible, Mrs. Barrett.” – Officer Walker [08:37]

• Key Rescue Moment:
  “That must be the kids throwing them at us. They can see our lights.” – Officer Walker [11:57]

• Children’s Advice, In Their Own Words:
  “My advice to all children is don’t get lost… leave word at home where you're going and then go there.” – Annie Holderegger [13:18]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:38] Safety intro, vehicle code campaign
• [02:47] Children leave for fishing
• [04:19] Annie falls in the creek
• [05:50] Dusk falls, plan to shortcut home
• [06:46] Parents discover children are missing
• [07:22] Officer Walker mobilizes search
• [10:22] Searchers find children’s footprints
• [11:57] Rescuers locate children by thrown rocks
• [12:47] Annie’s direct message to listeners
• [14:16] Officer Walker’s closing safety warning

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Conclusion

This episode not only delivers a suspenseful and dramatized rescue but serves as a living safety PSA for children and families, echoing concerns that remain timeless. Memorable for its blend of authentic emotion, practical advice, and strong sense of community, it reminds listeners of the persistent risks in the outdoors and the value of simple, clear precaution.

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For further true stories from the Highway Patrol, tune in next week or request a vehicle code summary as advised in the program.

Transcript

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[Narrator/Announcer]

Presenting Thrills of the Highway Patrol from the official files in Sacramento comes another true story of the Highway Patrol. These official safety radio dramatizations come to you with the personal assistance and cooperation of Director Ray Ingalls and Chief E. Raymond Cato of the California Highway Patrol. Director Ingalls has said it is gratifying indeed to departmental officials to note the reduction in death and injury accidents for 1938 as compared with the same period for 1937. Fatal accidents have been reduced 16% and injury accidents show a reduction of 17%. It is understood that accidents can only be reduced by cooperation from motorist and pedestrian alike. There is no question in my mind but what each of your local police officers and each of your highway patrolmen as well as departmental officials join me in thanking you for your cooperation in this safety campaign which has resulted in safer California highways. May I suggest that you write to this program Thrills of the Highway Patrol for a summary of the vehicle code and an I've enlisted sticker signed by Governor Merriam. If you have not already become a member of of California's growing army of safe, thoughtful and courteous drivers, I am sure you will want to signify your enlistment towards safety for all by placing this Ivan listed sticker in the lower right hand corner of your windshield. The summary of the vehicle code tells you in easy, readable language things you should know about the regulations governing safety on California's streets and highways. And above all, remember the golden rule of the road. Drive as you would have others Drive. Case 24 takes us to Lake Tahoe in the summer home of Mr. And Mrs. Barrett of San Mateo. Mrs. Barrett, her young son Larry, and young Ms. Annie Holderegger, also of San Mateo, are vacationing at the lake. As our scene opens, it is early evening and young Larry and Annie are just setting out from the summer home to go fishing.

[Annie Holderegger]

Are you ready, Annie? Yes, I'm all ready, Larry.

[Larry Barrett]

Be sure you're back by 7:30, children.

[Annie Holderegger]

Okay mom. We'll be back, Mrs. Barrett. Larry has his watch. Where are we going, Larry? We walk right up here a little ways until we get to Blackwood Creek. Say, what's that thing? A snake bite kit? Yeah, that's right. This here is a waterproof match carrier. I haven't got any matches in it yet. Is that the creek up there ahead where the bridge is? Yeah, but we cross the bridge and take the side road that goes up the mountain. We sure ought to bite when we get back there a mile or so. I hope so. I never was very lucky. Oh, look, Larry. Isn't that snow pretty up there in the mountains? Yeah, Some of it stays up there in the high peaks the year round. Come on, let's get going. Pull him in. Pull him in quick. Aw, you let it get away. No, I didn't. No, I didn't. It's still on the hawk. Here, give me a pull and I'll help you. Oh, no, you don't. You've caught four already. I'm going to catch this one. Well, keep your line tight. Hey, look out. Don't let the line get too loose. The fish will get away all right. I. Oh, Larry. Larry, I'm falling. Oh, give me a pole. Give it to me. The fish will get away. Oh, help me out of the water.

[Larry Barrett]

Oh, it's cold.

[Annie Holderegger]

Aw, you let the fish get away. Here, give me your hand. Just like a woman. Let the fish get away. Boy, do you look funny. Go ahead and laugh, smartie. You wouldn't laugh if you were as cold as I am, boy, as you wet. What am I going to do, Larry? I'll catch cold. Gee, I haven't even got a coat I can let you wear. We'd better go on home. The water's right off the snow. It's as cold as ice. Gee, it's almost 8 o'. Clock. I'd say we better hurry. Oh, Larry, your mother will be worried. I know she will. Annie, Come on, we'll cross the creek here. But, Larry, why do you want to cross the creek? The quickest way back to the house is by the older road across the creek. It's getting so dark I can hardly see. That's why we have to hurry. Annie, Come on. Oh, Larry, if I weren't so scared, I'd cry. Gee, Annie, don't start crying now. You'll be all right. I know, but I'm so cold and wet. Watch your step. Now walk right behind me. We have to jump across the little space in the rocks right ahead. Now, don't fall, Annie. I'll jump over first, then help you. Okay. Come on. I'll watch you. And don't drop that fishing pole. Here I come. Oh, Larry.

[Officer Walker]

Larry, I'm falling.

[Larry Barrett]

Operator. Operator, will you ring 234? Hello, Mrs.

[Annie Holderegger]

Boy?

[Larry Barrett]

So this is Mrs. Barrett. Did you see Larry or Annie pass your house about 6:00'? Clock? I'm so worried. They told me they'd be back by 7:30 and here it is after eight and they haven't shown up yet. It's been dark for some time too. Now. I don't know which way they went. They just said they were going fishing. I'd appreciate it so much if you and Mr. Boysel would come over. Come right in, Mrs. Boycel. Hello, Mr. Boycell.

[Officer Walker]

Have the children gotten home yet, Ms. Baron?

[Larry Barrett]

No, they haven't. I don't know what to do. You don't suppose they're lost, do you? Oh, I don't know what to think. They told me that they'd be back.

[Officer Walker]

Well, there's an outside chance they might have missed. The way it's been clouding up this evening and it got dark a lot faster than usual. We'd better phone the highway patrol and the forest rangers right away, though. Then I'll go get some men. We'll be back here as soon as we can.

[Larry Barrett]

I'll call a highway patrol. John, you go on ahead.

[Officer Walker]

Highway patrol office. Walker speaking. Yes, this is Walker. What? Mrs. Barrett's little boy. And you say they haven't gotten home yet? All right, I'll be over right away. In the meantime, call everybody you know. Get as many men as you can to come over to the Barrett. Hello, Officer Walker. I'm glad you're here. Good evening, Mr. Boycel. We have about 25 men rounded up. We better form into four or five searching parties and get started. Have you any idea which way they might have gone? No, no. Unfortunately, they didn't tell their mother which way they were going.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It's going to be a tough night looking for anybody in these woods. The way it's clouded up tonight is terrible.

[Officer Walker]

Yeah, it's pretty dangerous for a couple of kids to be wandering around up in those mountains. They're liable to fall down or get caught in the water or something.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And if they get wet, it's cold enough up there to freeze them.

[Officer Walker]

All right, let's get organized. Boycel, will you take one party? Okay, fine. You take five men and go up the canyon back of the house. Hank, you take five more. Take the old logging road. George?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah?

[Officer Walker]

You and Pete split up the rest of the men, two parties and cover the highways. In each direction. Concentrate on the area between the highway and the lake. All right, man, let's get going.

[Larry Barrett]

Officer, please don't come back without my children.

[Officer Walker]

We'll do Everything humanly possible, Mrs. Barrett.

[Larry Barrett]

Come on, Mrs. Barrett. We might as well go back in the house. It won't do you any good to worry. Oh, why don't some of the men come back? Oh, Geraldine, what do you think could have happened to the children? I wonder where they could have gone. It's 2:00 in the morning. Come sit down, Mrs. Barrett. You're just wearing yourself out walking up and down the floor like that. Wait a minute. I think I hear voices. Somebody must be coming back. Oh, maybe they've got the children. Oh, I hope so. Here, I'll see.

[Officer Walker]

Hello.

[Annie Holderegger]

Did you find the children?

[Officer Walker]

No, we didn't. We looked every place, but we didn't even see a sign of their footprints. They must have gone in another direction. Will you get the men some coffee, Jerry? They shouted themselves hoarse.

[Larry Barrett]

I'll get it for you, Mr. Boycel. We've been keeping it hot for you all night.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Here comes some more of the men. Maybe they had better luck than we did.

[Annie Holderegger]

Who's that? Did you find the children?

[Officer Walker]

No, I'm sorry, lady. They weren't any place down the highway where we looked.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I've never seen such a terrible night overcast guy.

[Officer Walker]

You can't see your hand in front of your face.

[Larry Barrett]

John, you've just got to go out again. You can't stop now.

[Officer Walker]

We don't intend to stop, Jarlene. We'll be on our way again in a few minutes.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Don't forget, there are still three parties out. Mrs. Barrett, we still haven't heard from officer Walker and the rest of them.

[Officer Walker]

Well, I hope Walker's having better luck than we had. So do I. Hey, Walker.

[Annie Holderegger]

Walker.

[Officer Walker]

Hey.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Here are their footprints. I found their tracks.

[Officer Walker]

Where are they going, Bill? Yep, that's a footprint all right. Come on, let's follow them on up the mountain. Yeah, let's see if we can find them up.

[Narrator/Announcer]

They followed up this way pretty much, I think.

[Officer Walker]

All right, now, everybody holler. Holler. Now keep still a minute, fellas. Anybody hear anything?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, not a thing.

[Officer Walker]

Probably climbing the mountain to see if they can see any lights. That Barrett boy is a pretty smart youngster. Couldn't have had any matches or he'd have built a fire. Keep hollering and keep your eyes peeled. Okay.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, let's get going, fellas.

[Officer Walker]

Well, here we are back at the creek. See if the footprints lead up or down the creek?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, there are no tracks up this way.

[Officer Walker]

How about it, Jack? Anything down there? No tracks down here either. Larry. Larry. Well, they must have forded the creek here then. That's bad. Water's pretty swift. Be too easy for them to lose their footing. Try a couple more shots with your gun, Jack. Larry. Andy. Hey, Bill, did you kick a rock down here? No. Did you, Jack? No, why? Hey, wait a minute. This water's making so much noise you can hardly hear yourself talk. Everybody call, shoot your guns. Flash your lights around over toward the other side of the creek. There. Hey. Say, hey. There's another rock.

[Annie Holderegger]

Hey.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I think they're coming from across the creek.

[Officer Walker]

That must be the kids throwing them at us. They can see our lights. Throw that big beam across the stream there. A little more to the right. That's it. There they are. Come on, let's get over there. We found them.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Little Annie Holderegger and Larry Bennett had become lost when they had taken the wrong direction upon arriving back at the old dirt road. When the posse found them, they were so cold they couldn't talk. But Larry Barrett had thrown rocks at the men and thus finally attracted their attention. This evening we're pleased to present Ms. Annie Holderegg, the young heroine of tonight's dramatization. Do you have a few words for our radio audience, Annie?

[Annie Holderegger]

Yes, I do, Mr. Bryan. I hope that all the children listening in on this program will profit by Larry's and my experience, which I assure you wasn't a pleasant one. I don't know what we would have done if Officer Walker of the highway patrol and his men hadn't found us when they did. It was after 4 o' clock in the morning and Larry and I were so cold we couldn't even talk. The night was so dark we couldn't see what to do or where to go and had finally stopped to rest beside a large boulder. The flashes and lights the men carried attracted our attention. Larry threw rocks at them and I helped him. And I hope that's the first and last time I will ever have to throw rocks at an officer. After Larry's and my experience, my advice to all children is don't get lost. Remember, it gets dark very quickly in the mountains. But if by chance you should get lost, I think you should stop where you are and not make it more difficult for the people searching for you to find you. And above all, remember to leave word at home where you're going and then go there.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Thank you very much, Annie. Say, by the way, where is Larry Bennett at Barrett tonight.

[Annie Holderegger]

Here's In Lake Tahoe, Mr. Ryan, listening to this program.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Tonight's program ends with a fair warning brought to you by officer Mel Kent of the California Highway Patrol.

[Officer Walker]

My fair warning for tonight could not be more appropriate than to repeat Annie's advice to all children. And that is, be sure to tell your parents where you're going and then go there. Don't get lost.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Drills of the Highway Patrol will be heard again next Wednesday night at the same time. These are true cases taken from the official files in Sacramento, although names have, in some cases, been changed. George Ryan speaking. This is the Mutual Don Lee Broadcasting System.

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