Evening star., 1939-06-11
Fifty Years Ago
In the Star

The week following the JohnStoWn
flood was one of increasing horror as
news from the stricken area
A Doc revealed the extent of the dam
Hero age and recorded the appalling
loss of life. Mixed with con-
tinued news of tragedy, however, were
numerous stories of heroism such as the
following from staff correspondent
printed in The Star of June 7, 1889:
The following story of water spaniel
named Romeo, which belongs to Mrs. C. F.
Kress of Johnstown, is told by the spe-
cial correspondent Of the Philadelphia
Enquirer: Last Friday, the day the food
gates OF the South Fork Reservoir broke
loose, that lady went to the house of her
sister on Main street, taking the dog
with her. While there the awfully dis
astrous waters came sweeping down upon
them from Conemaugh, so that all the
people in the house were compelled TO
get upon the roof There were seven in
the party and Romeo made good eight.
But soon the terrible waves and
floating debris raised horrible havoc with
the buildings. Suddenly a big wave
dashed upon the roof. Mrs. Kress was
knocked off her place of refuge and
rapidly foated along with the wild
stream. No human being attempted to
Jump after her or make any effort for
her rescue, because the surging flood had
But Romeo, forgetful of his own danger,
had apparently been expecting what was
coming. The waters had no more than
closed above the sinking lady when the
dog jumped after her, and when her
dress appeared again above the surface
he Immediately grasped it between his
teeth. 1t was a heavy burden. but the
animal seemed to make a noble effort.
Holding the dress in his mouth, he
gently but firmly pushed her forward
through the waters toward a frame
house which was still defying the waves.
Romeo's noble effort proved successful
and in a few moments Mrs. Kress was
able to lay hold of one of the spars on
the frame house and drag herself into
comparatively safety.
But, alas, it was only temporary
safety. Even before the woman had
realized her escape the devastating
waves came mountain high, rushing
against the frame house. This time the
building could not withstand. With a
terrific crash the wooden walls seemed
to burst apart and once more the woman
and her dog were at the mercy of the
flood. The noble brute, however, was not
to be daunted. Again he clung to his
mistress very closely, not as if he were
to rescue her from Watery grave, but
as if his whole life depended upon her
safety. Constantly swimming by her
side, while she was borne upon the cur
water so as to prevent her drowning.
For over half an hour the dog battled
with the waves for her preservation.
His noble, faithful endurance was at last
rewarded. He succeeded in directing his
valued burden toward Alma Hall and
here Mrs. Kress was pulled out of the
water. AS she reached the roof uncon-
sciousness overcame her, and during all
that time Romeo, which seemed to think
the woman dead, barked and hoWled in
the most frantic manner. Only her re-
turning breath pacifed him and then he
quietly and contentedly lay down at her
feet.
"This was the story cleaned from the
people surrounding the dog and his mis-
tress and when I called to see Mrs. Kress
at her sisters home she verified every
particular of the above"