Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-07-11
HAVOC R .TERSPOUT
Great Loss of Life aid Destruction of
Property in Pennsylvania.
A PLEASURE RESORT IS FLOODED.
The Water Rushes Through Ravins With
Terrific Force. Destroying Everything ia its
Traek-Trol!ey Car and Waiting Room.
Both Filled With People, Struck by the
Flood-Number OF Them Drowned.

Grecnsburg. Pa. (SpcciaD.-A cloud
burst occurred i'll the vicinity OF Oak
ford Park At ! o'clock p. m, creating a
food that caused great loss OF life and
property. 1t is thought that at least so
persons lost their lives. and rumor places
the number OF dead considerably higher.
Up until late hour at night only 3
or bodies have been recovered. having
been washed TO the banks OF the little
creek that runs parallel with the park.
Al ; o'clock rain began 10 fall i'll tor
rents in the vicinity OF the park and
:rrcad over territory covering probably
10 miles. \ half hour later the cloud
burst occurred. The waters i'll the lake
north OF Oakfo1i Park began to rise,
and Manager James McGrath. belicv-
ing there was danger OF final break
in the great walls OF the dam, hurried
among the crowds OF pleasure seekers.
who had gathered under the roofs OF
the eating stands. the dancing pavilion
and other buildings in line OF the water,
should the banks break. and warned
them to run to the hills. On both sides
OF the pleasure grounds are high hills,
the park being located in ravine about
a fourth of mile wide and mile long.
The people being protected from the
rain were loath to leave the coy places.
and not until Mr.. McGrath and his
assistant. Charles Z. Thomas. entered
each building in turn and simply drove
the crowds ont into the rain did they
realize that the managers were i'll earn
est, that carnestncss being depicted i'll
their pale faces, for they knew after
careful study OF the dam that the down
pour meant probably the breaking OF
the wall that held five acres OF water
\ half hour alter the buildings had
been cleared OF the people the waters
mounted the wall OF the dam and with
in FIVE minutes water seven feet deep
was flowing over the entire length OF
400 feet OF the wall The park. or ra-
vine. with many buildings. the merry
go-round and other amusement places.
were twisted about and all except the
dancing pavilion and lunch stand were
knocked from their foundations
The rain contirucd 10 fall in tor
rents and about ! o'clock 20 feet OF the
wall OF the dam TO the east gave way
with an awful crash The flood beat
down the ravine with roar that was
heard Tor two miles. 4 hali-mile down.
at the junction OF the Grccnshurgc and
Jeanette and the Park car lines. the
car barns are located. The entrance
gates 10 the park were lifted, and with
the force OF 4 pile driver the mammoth
posts were hurled by the waters against
the barn
Beyond was located the small wait
ing room, and on the track was stand
ing a car laden with people on their
way from Grcensburg and Jeanette.
The storm had cut off the power and
the motorman was unable to move the
car. The flood struck the waiting room.
containing probably dozen people.
y number OF them struggled to a
point OF safety. but in the excitement
that followed there is no way TO be pos
tive how many were lost.
The street car was caught and swept
into the creek Some OF the people
jumped off and there are conflicting
stories as to the number OF those who
were carried down with the car