He almost died in a accident at a mill. He best described the accident in his autobiography:
“There was a large flour mill with a dam across the river near the city where I was studying at the time. As a rule the height of the water was only two or three inches above the dam and to swim to it was a sport not very dangerous in which I often indulged. One day I went alone to the river to enjoy myself as usual. When I was a short distance from the masonry,
however, I was horrified to observe that the water had risen and was carrying me along swiftly. I tried to get away but it was
too late. Luckily, though, I saved myself from being swept over by taking hold of the wall with both hands. The pressure
against my chest was great and I was barely able to keep my head above the surface. Not a soul was in sight and my voice
was lost in the roar of the fall. Slowly and gradually I became exhausted and unable to withstand the strain longer. Just as I
was about to let go, to be dashed against the rocks below, I saw in a flash of light a familiar diagram illustrating the
hydraulic principle that the pressure of a fluid in motion is proportionate to the area exposed and automatically I turned on
my left side. As if by magic, the pressure was reduced and I found it comparatively easy in that position to resist the force of
the stream. But the danger still confronted me. I knew that sooner or later I would be carried down, as it was not possible
for any help to reach me in time, even if I had attracted attention. I am ambidextrous now, but then I was left-handed and
had comparatively little strength in my right arm. For this reason I did not dare to turn on the other side to rest and nothing
remained but to slowly push my body along the dam. I had to get away from the mill towards which my face was turned, as
the current there was much swifter and deeper. It was a long and painful ordeal and I came near to failing at its very end,
for I was confronted with a depression in the masonry. I managed to get over with the last ounce of my strength and fell in a
swoon when I reached the bank, where I was found.”
taylorsspectrum 