Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1903-07-08
LOSS Of LIFE IS ENORMOUS
cLoUpBURST At GREENSBURG,
PENNSYLVANIA.
At Least so Are Dead and the Number
May Reach 100-PeopIe Were Gath.
cred at Oakford Park for the Day
When the Great Walls of the Dam
Broke-Losses Enormous.

Greensburg, Pa, July IA water
spout of immense proportions, strik-
ing in the vicinity of Oakford park,
Sunday afternoon created flood that
caused a great loss of life and prop
erty. It is known that at least so
persons were lost and rumors placed
the number of dead at more than 100,
but up to late hour only two or
three bodies have been recovered, hay
ing been washed to the banks of the
little creek that runs parallel with the
park.
At o'clock rain began to fall in
torrents near the park and spread over
a territory covering probably 10 miles.
A half hour later the cloudburst &C.
Cured. The waters in the lake north
of Oakford park began to swell and
Manager James McGrath, believing
that there was danger of final break
in the great walls of the dam, hurried
among the crowd Of pleasure seek.
ers who had gathered under the roofs
of the eating stands, the merry go
round, the theaters, 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 grounds there are
high hills, the park being located in
a ravine about fourth of mile wide
and a mile long. Those protected from
the rain did not want to leave and I'M
til Mr.. McGrath and his assistants
entered each building in turn and sim
ply drove the crowds out into the rain
did they realize the danger.
A half hour after the buildings had
been cleared of the people the waters
mounted the walls 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 60 round and other amuse-
ment 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, and about 4 o'clock 40
feet of the wall of the dam to the east
gave way with a crash. The flood beat
down the ravine with a roar that was
heard for two miles.
A half mile down at the junction OF
the Greensburg and Jeanette and
Park line, the car barns are located.
The entrance gates to the park were
lifted, and with the force Of a pile
driver, the large posts we're hurled by
the waters against the barn. Beyond
were located the small waiting room,
and on the track was standing a car
laden with people on their way from
Greensburg and Jeanette. The cleo
trio storm had rendered the power
south of here useless and the motor
man was unable to move the car. The
flood struck the waiting room, contain
ing probably dozen people. A num-
Der of them struggled to point OF
safety, but in the excitement that fol-
lowed, it is not positive how many
were lost.
The street car was caught and
swept into the creek and was whirled
and tumbled about. A number of peo-
pie in the car jumped off and there
are conflicting reports as to the num-
Der Of persons carried with the car.
Losses Down the Valley.
Irwin, Pa, July 1.-THE sudden ris.
ing of Bush creek caused by the cloud
burst and the breaking Of the Oakford
dam caused damage in this vicinity
of several hundred thousand dollars
and probably loss of life. So sudden
was the rise in the stream that the
people living along the banks had
barely time to run to the hills.
Later.
Jeanette, Pa, July AT 10
o'clock this morning it is estimated
that the loss of life through yester-
days cloudburst and flood at Oak Park
will reach IS.
Twenty bodies have been re-
covered. Many are foreigners and
hovo MT hoon identified