The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1903-07-10
LOSS OF LIFE IS ENORMOUS
CLOUDBURST AT GREENSBURG,
PENNSYLVANIA.
At Least so Are Dead and the Number
May Reach 1oo-People Were Gath
cred at Oakford Park for the Day
When the Great Walls of the Dam
Broke-Losses Enormous.
Broke-Losses Enormous.

Greensburg Pa, July IA water
spout of immense proportions, strik-
ing in the vicinity of Oakford park,
Sunday afternoon created a flood that
caused a great loss of life and prop
erty. 1t is known that at least so
persons were lost and rumors placed
the number of dead at more than 100,
but up to a late hour only two or
three bodies have been recovered, hav-
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
territory covering probably 10 miles.
A half hour later the cloudburst oc-
Cured The waters in the lake north
OF Oakford park began to swell and
Manager James MtGrath, 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 a fourth of mile wide
and a mile long. Those protected from
the rain did not want to leave and UNI
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
5 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
1 length of 400 feet of the wall The
Z park or ravine, studded with buildings,
J. the merry go round and other amuse-
8 ment places, were twisted about and
: all but the dancing pavilion and large
T lunch stand were knocked from their
e foundations. The rain continued to
+ fall in torrents, and about 4 o'clock 4C
e feet of the wall of the dam to the east
IS gave way with a crash. The flood beat
down the ravine with a roar that was
" heard for two miles.
'p A half mile down at the junction o
re the Greensburg and Jeanette ant
pr Park line the car barns are located
v The entrance gates to the park wer'
TO lifted, and with the force of pile
Or driver, the large posts were hurled b,
n the waters against the barn. Beyon'
C. we're located the small waiting room
lie and on the track was standing a ca
IS, laden with people on their way iron
Greensburg and Jeanette. The eleC
o. trio storm had rendered the powe
in south of here useless and the motor
lg man was unable to move the car. TIL
ne flood struck the waiting room, contain
nd ing probably a dozen people. nun
or Der of them struggled to a point {
re safety. but in the excitement that 70
of lowed, it is not positive how man
he were lost.
cd The street car was caught an
ay swept into the creek and was whirle
and tumbled about. A number of PEI
i'll pie in the car jumped off and theI
ie- are conflicting reports as to the nun
in Der of persons carried with the car.
l Losses Down the Valley.
be Irwin, Pa, July THE sudden ri
ing of Bush creek caused by the clOu
burst and the breaking of the Oakfol
dam caused damage in this vicinit