Evening journal., 1903-07-06
DEATH COMES TO
PARK VISITORS
Water Spout Causes Great
Loss of Life and Damage
to Property
PLEASURE SEEKERS WERE WARNED

Greensburg. Pa, July GA water
spout OF immense proportions struck
in the vicinity of Oakford Park and
created food th2t caused great loss
OF life and property. II Is known that
at least 20 persons lost their lives, and |
rumors place the number of dead at
more than 100, but only three or four
bodies have been recovered, having |
been washed to the banks of the little
creek that runs parallel with the
park
Rain began 20 fall in torrents in the
vicinity of the park and spread over
territory covering probably 10 miles.
! A half hour later the cloudburst oc-
cured. The waters in the lake north
of Oaltford Park began to rise, and
Manager James McGrath, believing
there was danger of n 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 pavil-
ion and other buildings In line of the
water. warning them to run to the hills.
On both sides of the pleasure grounds
are high hills, the park being located
in a ravine about a fourth of mile
wide and a mile long. A half hour af-
ter the buildings had been cleared Of
the people the waters mounted the
wall of the dam. and within five min
utes water seven feet in depth was
flowing over the entire length of 400
feet OF the wall. The park buildings,
the merry-goround and other amuse-
ment places were twisted about, and
all but the dancing pavilion and lunch
stand were knocked from their foun-
dations. The rain continued to fall in
awful torrents, and 40 feet of the wall
OF the dam to the east gave way with
an awful crash The food beat down
the ravine with q roar that was heard
for two miles. A half-mile down, at
the junction of the Greensburg and
jeanette 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 tho
mammoth posts were hurled by the
waters against the barn. Beyond
were the waiting rooms, and on the
> track was standing car laden with
people on their way home from
\. Greensburg and Jeanette. The cleo
trio storm had rendered the power
X south OF here useless and the motor
g man was unable to move the car. The
flood struck the waiting room, contain
. ing probably a dozen people. A num-
% ber Of them struggled &c a point of
n safety. but in the excitement that fol.
lowed there is no way TO be positive
d how many were lost. The street car
3 was caught and swept into the creek:
A. A number of the people in the car are
y missing, and conflicting stories as to
y the number of persons who were car.
!. riod with the car makes an estimate
= impossible Edward O'Brien and Jo
d seph Overly and Misses Keefer and
# Crum were among those thrown into
o the water A young man named Nc
n Lain went to the rescue of the ladies'
d He grabbed them about the waists
- and kent their heads above water as
thcy were carried In the direction OF
Jeanette by the raging torrent The
brave yonng man held to the women
ARl HANiN AAtin a. hAAA'f anu Ah'AAf ~
haustod and ready to sink to his
= death. he released his hold and the
women sank. It was with the greatest
difficulty that he managed to get tc
shcre The bodies OF the women were
n not recovered.
3 The flood was filed with men. wo.
't men and children struggling for theh
e lives The poles carrying the heavily
I, charged trolley wires were uprooted
\, and strewn on the ground. A number
IF of instances-hOw many is not ye
IN known-the victims OF the food
" grasping for anything that might save
10 them from the fury Of the water
m seized the trolley wires and met deatl
N by being electrocuted instead of be
tx ing drowned Several bodies have al
o ready been recovered that show tina
NJ death was the result of this cause.
d. The scene was heart-rending. TIT
re wailing of the mothers who have Ger
is tainly lost loved ones was pitiful