Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1903-07-09
DROWNED BY qOUDBJRST
Upwards of One Hundred Lives Re-
ported Lost by a ,Cloudburst
in Pennsylvania.
PLEASURE SEEKERS OVERWHELMED.
They Were Gathered at Oakland Park, In
the Vicinity of Greensburg, and Were
Overwhelmed, Almost without Warn
ing. by Wall of Water Which Carried
Everything Before 1t.

everything beIorc II.
Greensburg, Pa. July ga water
spout of immense proportions strik-
ing in the vicinity of oakford Park
yesterday created flood that caused
great loss of life and property. 1t
is known that at least twenty persons
were lost and rumors place the num-
Der of dead at more than hundred,
but up to late hour last night only
three or four bodies have been recov-
cred, having been washed to the
banks of the little creek that runs
parallel with the park. The names
At three O'Clock rain began to fall
in torrents in the vicinity of the park
and spread over territory covering
probably ten miles. A half hour later
the cloudburst occurred, and the num-
ber of umbrellas carried by the
crowds were crushed like eggshells.
The waters in the lake north of Oak
ford park began to swell, and Man
ager James McGrath, believing there
was danger of a final break in the
great walls of the dam, hurried
among the crowds OF pleasure seek
ers who had gathered under the roof
eating sandwiches, the merry-go-
round, the theater, the dancing paul-
ion and other buildings in line of the
water should the banks break and
warning them to run to the hills. On
both sides of the grounds there are
high hills, the park being located IN
ravine about fourth of a mile wide
and mile long. The people being
protected from the rain did not want
to leave, and not until Mr.. McGratii
and his assistant entered each build
ing in turn and simply drove the
crowds out into the rain did they real
ize that the parks managers were III
earnest, for they knew after careful
study of the dam that the awful rain
meant probably the breaking of the
wall that held five acres of water
About half hour after the buildings
had been cleared the waters mounted
the wall of the dam and within five
minutes water to the depth of five feet
was flowing over the entire length OF
400 feet of the wall. The park, or
ravine, studded with buildings, the
merry-go-round, the laughing gallery
and other amusement places were
twisted about, and all but the dancing
pavilion and large lunch stand were
knocked from their foundations. The
rain continued to fall in torrents, ana
about four o'clock 40 feet of the wall
II. 10 +lo act un with
a crash. The flood beat down the ra'
vine with a roar that was heard fof
two miles. A half mile down at the
junction of the Greensburg and Jean
nette and the park car lines the car
barns are located. The entrance
gates to the park were lifted, and
with the force of a pile-driver the
mammoth posts were hurled by the
waters against the barn beyond IN
which was located the small waiting
room, and on the track was standing
a car loaded with people on their way
from Greensburg and Jeanette. The
electric storm rendered all the pow
er south of here useless, and the mo-
torman was unable to move the car
The flood struck the waiting room,
containing probably a dozen people
A number of them struggled to the
point of safety, but in the excitement
that followed it is not positive how
MANY were lost The street car was
caught and swept into the creek an
whirled and tumbled about A num-
Der of people in the car jumped off,
and there are conflicting stories as to
the number of persons who were car
ried with the car. Among those who
were dashed into the flood was G. NJ.
McClain, of Greensburg; Edward
O'Brien and Joseph Overly and Misses
Keefer and Crum. Young McClain is
an expert swimmer and has excep-
tional courage. The cries for help
from the two unknown women
brought the young man to their side
as they were struggling in the water,
and grabbing both about the waist
he kept their heads above water as
the three were carried in the direc-
ton of Jeanette by the raging tide.
The brave lad held to the women for
more than a mile, and then exhausted
and ready to sink to his death he re-
leased his hold and the women sank.
1t was with the greatest difficulty that
he managed to get to shore. He went
back to the park but mp to late
hour last night the names of the
women were not known. 1t is believed
that fully ten people who were in the
car were drowned.
Standing on the platform near the
waiting room there were man and
wife whose names have not been
learned. When the flood came fhe
husband escaped, but the wife was
"a rried away