Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-04-01
SIX DROWNED.
Children Of a Farmer Lose Their
Lives In Crossing q Greek.
The WAGON UPSET IN THE WATER.
Out Of the Seven In the Wagon Only the
Mother Gets Safely to Land-Fears
That Her Reason May BE
DethrOned.

SENECA, Kan, March 3O.-Mr and
Mrs. John McGrath, who live in the
northwest part Of Nemaha county,
Sunday the parents Of six children,
are childless to-day, and the mother is
SO distracted by grief that 1t is feared
her reason may be dethroned. The
children were drowned Sunday after
noon while trying to ford Manley
creek in q wagon. Mrs McGrath,
who was with them, escaped with her
life. The dead are: Frank McGrath,
aged "A years; Katie McGrath, aged 10
years; Leo McGrath, aged nine years;
John McGrath, aged five years; Robert
McGrath, aged two years, and babe
in arms, aged eight months. AT two
o'clock Sunday afternoon Mrs. McGrath
and the six children started In .
wagon from their home In Clear Creek
township to visit the family Of neigh
Dor, John Hines, who lives on the
same section. To reach Mr.. Hines
place 1t was necessary TO cross Manley
creek, ordinarily IN insignificant
stream, carrying but few inches Of
water. A light rain had fallen in the
morning, raising the creek somewhat,
but parties had crossed the stream all
day, which led the McGraths to believe
that there was no danger. At the
source Of Manley creek, however, the
precipitation had been very heavy,
amounting almost to a'cloudburst, and
by the time the McGraths reached the
creek the banks were full and the cur
rent running like Q millrace.
The mother protested against at
tempting 10 cross, considering 1t q
hazardous undertaking, but the chill
dren were eager for visit, and all
urged the eldest boy, Frank, who was
driving, to attempt to ford the stream.
Prompted by their pleading, and en-
couraged by the knowledge that others
had made the crossing safely earlier In
the day, he drove In. The horses had ad-
vanced but few steps when they were
beyond their depth, and were forced to
swim. They Immediately swung
around In an attempt to return TO the
bank they had left, and in doing 80 up
set the wagon and threw its human
freight into the swiftly running water
The older children struggled desper-
ately with the current, striving to
grasp the floating wagon or overhang-
Ing boughs but the mad waters were
too much for their childish strength,
and, one BY one, they sank to their
death. Mrs McGrsth directed her
special efforts to save her babe, but the
Icy waters soon chilled her until she
was almost helpless, and when she
realized that all she could possibly do
was to save herself she found that q
most difficult task. After having been
swept some distance down stream,
however, she succeeded in laying hold
Of overhanging limbs Of trees and man
aged TO draw herself half dead with
cold and horror, on to the bank.
When she had recovered sufficient
strength TO walk, she wandered In
half dazed condition along the stream,
looking eagerly into the dark, pitiless
water for her loved ones. After fol-
lowing the stream for mile, she came
to the residence Of John Cslnsn, where
she told her heartrending story. Search
for the bodies Of the drowned children
was begun immediately. Two were
found In q short time, and three more
were recovered yesterday, leaving one
still 10 b. located. It 10 probable that
II hes been carried far down stream.
John Mc0rsth, the father, 10 prosper.
ous farmer.