Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-07-09
DROWNED BY GLOUDBDRSI
Upwards of One Hundred Lives Re.
ported Lost by a Cloudburst
in Pennsylvania.
PLEASURE SEEKERS overwhelmed.
They Were Gathered at Oakland Park, IL
the Vicinity of G~reensburg. and Were
Overwhelmed. Almost without Warn.
ing. by a wall of Water Which Carried
Everything Before 1t.

Overwhelmed, Almost without Warn.
ing. by a wall of Water Which Carried
Everything Before 1t.
Greensburg, Pa, July Ga water
spout of immense proportions strik-
ing in the vicinity of Oakford Park
Yesterday created a food that caused
a great loss of life and property. 1t
is known that at least twenty persons
were lost and rumors place the mum
Der of dead at more than a hundred,
but up to a 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 a territory covering
probably ten miles. A half hour later
the cloudburst occurred, and the num-
Der 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 pavil-
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
a ravine about a fourth of a mile wide
and a mile long. The people being
protected from the rain did not want
to leave, and not until Mr.. McGrath
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 in
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 a 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-roumd. the laughing gallery
and other amusement places We're
twisted about. and all but the dancing
pavilion and large lunch stand were
knocked from their foundations. The
rain continued to fall in torrents, and
about four o'clock 40 feet of the wall
of the dam to the east gave way with
Il crash, The flood beat down the IA.
vine with a roar that was heard for
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
CARES to the park We're lifted, and
with the force of Il pile-driver the
mammoth posts We're hurled by the
waters against the barn beyond in
which was located the small waiting
room, and on the track was standing
. 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.
The flood struck the waiting room
containing probably Il 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 and
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 food wa c. NJ.
McClain, of Greensburg; Edward
.'Brien and Joseph Overly and Misses
and Crum, Young McClain is
expert swimmer and has excep-
courage. The cries for heir
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.
Lis 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 up to a late
hour last night the names of the
were not known. 1t is believed
that fully ten people who were in the
were drowned.
Standing on the platform near the
waiting room there were a man and
wife whose names have not been
When the food came the
husband escaped, but the wife was
away.
DENIED A REHEARTNG