The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-09
Terrific Storm Overtakes Auto
mObiliSts and MotOrcycliSts.
Dozens of Cars Unable to Come
In without Help.
FEW SERIOUS ACCIDENTS
Touring Car With Seven Pas
sengers Jumps Into Field.
Garage Men Kept Busy Far Into
the Night.

Old J. Pluv. creased the skids
for scores of automobile drivers and
motorcycle riders on roads south and
east of Topeka late Sunday afternoon
and evening. 1t is estimated that
nearly a hundred autos and motor
cycles were stuck in the mud or were
forced to stop because of slippery
roads and weather the terrific and
sudden storm which broke late in the
afternoon. Between fifty and seventy
five of the autoists were stranded near
WakaruSa. Half as many came to
grief on a three-mile stretch of road
beginning about mile west of Wat
son, twelve miles southeast of Topeka.
Two accidents occurred on the
Watson road. In both instances per
sons narrowly escaped death. One of
the accidents occurred when motor
cycles sl6idded, two miles west of Wat
son, and went into q. ditch. The ma
chine was ridden by a man and a
painfully bruised shoulder when the
machine toppled over on her. The
names of the two riders are unknown.
A few minutes later a car driven
by Frank Hook, who lives two miles
west of Watson, carrying seven pass
engers, skidded on, the stretch of road,
turned end for END, dived across a
ditch and turned on its side in a wire
fence. The car was damaged con-
siderably but the occupants were un-
scratched.
Three Miles of Soap.
Drivers who tried to pilot their ma
chimes over the Watson road describe
it as three miles of soap and grease"
Farmers along the highway lost
much sleep while pulling the ma
chimes to safety. Oscar Wolf, circu-
lation manager of The State Journal,
and wife, were driving over the road
to send out the 8 %, s. cali to Ed
Downs, living a short distance west of
Watson, for help. Downs responded
with a team of horses. A number of
machines were pulled over the dan
gerous piece of road by Downs during
tho evening.
Others caught on the Watson road
were Edward Polly, 40 Madison
motorcycle riders who did not arrive
in Topeka until late hour, owing to
the condition of the road, are: Mr.. and
Mrs. A. D. Scott, Mr.. and Mrs. H. B.
Hoover. Nathan Brown and Carl
Morris.
Two and one-half inches of rain fell
south and southeast of Topeka. Local
garage men received dozens of calls
for help from persons stranded.
Real Trouble at Wakarusa.
The real trouble of the day occurred
near Wakarusa. Hundreds of Tope-
kans go to this point every Sunday
for picnics and swimming Yesterday
was a good day for this kind of an
outing. Thinly clad autoists swarmed
out south of the city during the day
with Wakarusa as their terminal.
When the black cloud came up from
the west it caused panic. Inhabitants
of the Island grabbed their be-
longings and carried them across the
creek, fearing a sudden rise of water.
Persons in swimming ducked behind
trees, pulled off their bathing suits,
slapped on enough clothes to come
under the provisions of the law, and
made for their automobiles and the
railway station.
Then the trip to Topeka-wonder of
wonders! From a smooth dust road
to raging torrents and hub-deep mud.
One Topekan with a powerful ma
chine and plenty of chains, stated that
at one time near one hill, thirty-six
cars were stuck, stalled or sliding in
the ditch. Men and women in Sum
day clothes were drenched to the
skin. One man with a Palm Beach
suit and red auto cushions created a
sensation.
Steaming radiators, whirling wheels,
screaming women and resolute-anG
sometimes cursing-men made a scene
not often witnessed in the quiet val
leys of the Wakarusa.
Cars chugged into town at an early
hour this morning. Others were res
cued today.