The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-20
Unable to Gain Shelter, Men, Women
and Children Were soon Soaked
to the Skin.
DowNPoUR CAME AT 9 O'CLOCK
wEBER's BAND DROWNED OUT AND
FORCED TO STOP PLAYING.
Mr.. and Mrs. Albert Lieber Among the
Nictims-GeneraI and Local
Weather Conditions.

A terrific cloudburst struck Fairview Park
last night at O'Clock, completely drench-
ing 500 people and badly frightening women
and those whose nerves were weak The
deluge came out of practically a clear sky
The skies were threatening and dark clouds
had lowered for hours, but until the minute
of the cloudburst there had been no rain
to amount to anything, and the visitors to
the park were utterly unprepared for their
unpleasant and even dangerous experience
Attracted by the announcement that
Weoer's Band was to play a waltz com
posed by Mrs. Albert Lieber, of this city.
several hundreds of people braved the possi-
bility of rain and went to the park Mr.
and Mrs. Albert Lieber were in the audience
that was listening TO the band when the
tremendous rainfall occurred The band
was in the midst of an inspiring march
strain when a few drops of water sprinkled
down upon the heads of the people Sud
denly, without any warning, the skies
opened and water fell in torrents So heav-
lily did the rain fall that in a very few min
utes the ground was covered to depth OF
four or five inches
TURMOIL ENSUED.
no place for the crowd to seek shelter in
the immediate vicinity. The pavilion was
so far away from the band stand that the
few who tried to reach it were as soaked as
the many who tried to squeeze and fight
their way into the little band stand In
preparation for the Hagenbeck animal
show that is to be at Fairview this week
number of cages had been erected, and
scores threw pride to the winds and went
on their hands and knees in the mud 10
get under the cages out Of the wet These
cages. however, served TO protect partially
only a comparative few and the rest. after
they had in vain tried TO crowd in the band
stand, were forced to endure the fury of the
cloudburst.
Many of the women in the crowd were at
tired in handsome gowns, and in twenty
seconds after the first drops of the cloud
burst their dresses were little more than
muddy rags, formless and without shape.
Costly hats were ruined and gay plumes
were beraggled and water-soaked. The
men were in bad shape as the women.
Straw hats melted like wax before the i'm
pact Of the deluge and even the impervious
Panamas dragged Imply over the brows Of
their drenched owners. II is not an exag-
geration 10 say that not one person in the
big crowd. except few. perhaps. including
the members of the band. who had been in
the band stand before the cloudburst came,
escaped a complete drenching
The entire scene was one that probably
had not been seen in Indianapolis for years
Four or five hundred people splashing in
three inches OF water that had fallen al
most in the twinkling of an eye, running
ainnlessly it seemed in all directions seeking
shelter. men protecting children. and
women with their own coats from the
effects of the downpour, furnished a sight
that will be remembered long by those who
were there. So completely were the visitors
10 the park soaked by the rain that evil
consequences are almost certain TO follow.