Milford chronicle., 1937-07-09
Storm MarOOns Thousands
On Roads Up State

Water tumbling down from a
sloping field, washed across the
Baltimore and Ohio tracks and un-
dermined a spur on which the
Philadelphia race train was waiting
for the days racing to end.
Crowded Train Delayed
The washout held the packed
train on the spur for several hours
while a special crew from the Wills
mere yards packed tons of crushed
stone beneath the rails. The train
pulled out at 1920 p. m.
Meanwhile hundreds of cars were
stalled on the parking lots, either
mired or their ignition dead from
the constant soaking. Track attend
ants and special police struggled in
the driving downpour to get the ma
chimes started by towing and push
ing, but at midnight there were still
200 autos stranded on the field and
hundred or so more strung along
, the roads from the park.
Wives and women guests of the
drivers huddled under the grand
stand for hours while the motorists
tried to get the cars free. Food sup
plies at the concession stands gave
out early and even cold hot dogs"
were at premium.
Some Abandon Autos
All Pennsylvania Railroad trains
were able to get out before a wash
out occurred on the lines spur
about a half mile from the track.
An extra Pennsylvania train was
hastily made up and this, too, was
cleared, carrying hundreds of mo-
torists who had decided to abandon
their cars.
Through trains on the Baltimore
and Ohio main line, which runs di-
rectly in back of the grandstand,
were tagged and took aboard hun
dreds of fans bound in both direc-
tions.
The rain, which had been sprin-
king and showering intermittently
from the second race, suddenly be-
gan coming down in sheets as the
horses were going to the barrier for
the eighth race.
The last race over, fans who had
parked their cars and those who
held B. and o. tickets rushed for the
underpass but found their way
blocked. and were driven back un-
der the grandstand.
Fire Company Helps
There they waited while an engine
of the Newport Fire Company at
tempted to pump out the underpass.
But the water filled in as fast as it
was pumped out.
Meanwhile Pennsylvania Railroad
passengers were climbing into the
racing specials over a bridge of
benches and the Pennsylvania trains
were pulling out. 1t is not necessary
to go under the underpass to reach
Pennsylvania trains.
When il became apparent that the
underpass could not be pumped out,
the fence was cut at one end of the
srandstand and car owners were al
lowed to cross over the tracks.
But by this time the autos had
been standing in the downpour for
upwards of three hours and only one
in ten could be started without
nursing. At one end of the large
parking field, in a hollow, water
rose up to the car seats.
Motorists who were able to start
their cars volunteered to help give
others a push. Spinning wheels
then begged down the pushing cars.
Money Stuck In Mud
The armored car with the tracks
and States take from the days
races was stuck in the quagmire
with the spectators cars. A half
dozen cars overturned in the parking
lot or along the road. Many cars
we're abandoned along the roads
when they failed to start after hav-
ing been pushed for half mile.
Even around the grandstand,
which is on comparatively high
the water rose ankle deep
'or a time. A few holes were bored
N the grandstand when officials
cared the weight of the water would
weaken the structure.
During the hours they waited
IL ound the grandstand, the maroon
ID crowds kept themselves in good
lumor with jokes and songs. Wo-
men and men took off their shoes
md stockings and waded around
,arefoot. Young men carried their
800 yards through mud
O the waiting trains.