The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-14
BIC TENT FELL.
Eight Thousand EndeavOrers
Caught and a Number Hurt.

Denver, July 1.-THE big tent. En-
deavor. where the Christian Endeavor
convention has been held for four days,
was blown over Monday afternoon at 4
o'clock while more than 5000 people
were beneath it.
Nearly a score were injured but, for
tunately. none of them was dangerously
hurt Mrs Jessie NJ. Thornburg of
Denver was hurt the worst. Her nose
was badly gashed and her scalp
wounded.
The presence of mind of A. NJ. Ram
sey of Chicago who sprang to a chair
and called to the people to hold up the
canvas and poles, undoubtedly prevent
ed danger of suffocation. AS it was,
many women tainted and were extri-
Gated from the folds of the canvas with
much difficulty
Mrs. Winifred Sleep of Denver, who
was in charge of the St. Marks hospital
tent, seeing the catastrophe at the big
tent, telephoned the electric company to
shut off the curi ent. This prevented
any damage by the live wires which fell
with the poles.
A feature that showed the religious
nature of the participants was seen
when the majority were eXtricated from
the canvas folds. Led by an eastern
delegate. all gathered around in the
vice was held.
The convention was in full progress at
4 o'clock and although there were signs
of rain and some wind was blowing, no
trouble was anticipated by the manage
ment. The sides of the tent We're up to
admit air and this enabled the squaH
to lift up the big canvas as If it were
balloon The gust of wind which car
ried over the tent came so suddenly
that no preparation could be made to
forestall the consequences. The wind
swept under the tent, the roof of which
Immediately belched out like an i'm
poles were being drawn from the
ground. The smaller guy ropes gave
the first intimation of danger to the
thrOng. as they were pulled loose
Immediately the 5000 people were in
panic, which the screaming of the wo-
men accentuated. 1t was then that Mr..
Ramsey sprang to a chair and loudly
called on the men to hold up the canvas
and catch the large supporting poles as
they fell. Hundreds of men sprang to
their feet and successfully carried out
the Chicago mans suggestion so that 10
one was injured in this way.
AS the poles fell more than 1000 peo
pie who were seated near the walls of
the tent escaped the folds and those peo-
pie Immediately formed themselves inCO
I Il reserve corps. The hospital tent was
speedily filled with women who had
tainted and those VINO were suffering
from slight injuries.
THE INJURED.
Mrs. Thornburg, Denver; bad wound
in forehead.
Alicia Murdock. Denver; arm fractur-
/ ed
]. c. Peters, Alamosa, Col; scalp
wound and shock.
Miss Mary Ellis, Denver; bruised
about body.
Miss Powers, Trenton, Neb.; knee in
jured, body bruised.
Mrs. I. n. Johnson, Denver; badly
bruised and tainted from fright.
4 X. c. Patterson, Alamosa, Col; head
hit by electric lamp; bad scalp wound.
Miss Eta Ward, 1915 West Taylor
street, Chicago; large pole fell across
back and badly bruised her.
/ Among those who are suffering from
severe nervous shocks are:
/ Miss Blanche Fearer. Oregon, Ill.
/ Miss Mindock. New York.
/ Miss Adams, Oregon, Ill.
! Miss Nipher. Pueblo, Col.
/ Miss Myrtle Moore and Miss Warren,
/ Illinois
Mrs. Small. Denver.