AUSTIN FLOOD VICTIM

Submitted By PHGS Member Tim Chase


FLOOD VICTIM UNEARTHED

Believed to have been victim of terrible flood, which occurred in 1911

Austin, Pa., June 8 - 

Human bones believed to be those of one of the victims of the Austin flood were found by a farmer herding cows on his property here today. The bones lay in the path of the flood. 

The skull and lower jawbone are intact and resemble those of a woman. Soles and heels of the victims' shoes and part of the leather tips were found nearby. There was a large hole in the right side of the skull. 

Eighty-six persons were lost in the flood that swept this area on 1911 and but 79 have been recovered. 

The discovery was made by H. R. Wittaker. He had noticed a bone near a woodpile several times, but it was not until today that he investigated. 

Word reached Mrs. Reinhardt Johnson, whose mother, wife of J. J. McKenny was killed and the body not recovered. The message read that it was thought to be Senator Baldwin's mother's body or that of Mrs. McKenny and the remains would not be disposed of until Mrs. Johnson could identify same, if possible after these many years. 

Upon investigation, Mrs. Johnson learned the victims' bones were that of a man instead of a female. 

Everyone far and wide sympathizes with Joe McKenny and family but only those who were in and survived it can realize what a terrible disaster it was. 

Mr. McKenny has returned to his home at Niagara Falls. He had been visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Johnson.

(Port Allegany "Reporter-Argus", Thursday, June 11, 1925) 
 

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