100 years; The Eastland Disaster

[MerryBlooms]

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Early on the morning of Saturday, July 24, 1915, a light rain fell. The air was filled with anticipation and excitement. Thousands gathered along the Chicago River for Western Electric's fifth annual employee picnic. More than 7,000 tickets had been purchased for the day-long festivities. But the day quickly turned tragic ...

http://www.eastlanddisaster.org/history/what-happened

[DonP]

1. My grandfather was there

He was a young man, working as a welder on a nearby construction project when the police ran in and told him and the rest of the crew to come down to the river with his welding gear and their tools.

He spent the rest of the day and into the night cutting holes in the side to try and save people. Some were brought out alive, but most had already drowned. It was all families for the outing and he said so many were small children it was heartbreaking and still brought him to tears 60 years later.

After 20 hours of working straight, he went to a nearby site to get some rest. When he came back a few hours later, all his welding gear was gone. Some things about Chicago haven't changed much.

He passed at 94 years old and still recalled that day as clear as if it was yesterday.

[MerryBlooms]

2. Bless your grandfather... what an experience. I can't even imagine how

those images must have haunted him.