Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Write in the HISTORICAL genre (05/03/07)
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TITLE: Run for the Hills | Previous Challenge Entry
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05/04/07 -
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…Psalm 121:1 KJV
Handsome Walter ran with all his might along with others that scrambled to the hills for safety. At twenty, his strong body carried him swiftly up the mountain in record time. Climbing the sides of the mountains he had done as a boy but never with such determination and speed. The nightmarish stories told him by family and townsmen of the 1889 Johnstown flood, rang in his ear as he heard the swirling of the waters below.
Thousands of residents of 1889 died as the 40 ft rolling waters slammed homes, stores, trains and debris halting at the Pennsylvania Railroad Company’s Stone Bridge. Young and old died in the blazing congestion of wreckage, instead of drowning in the furious waters. The heat kept people unable to reach the burning victims in time.
Never in Walter’s wildest dreams had he thought history could repeat itself, or as least not in his lifetime. “The flood, it won’t be as bad, surely not!” Lending a hand to the man next to him, pulling at the weeds for traction as his muscles groaned almost near the top. Some were pushing while others were pulling victims to safety.
While resting, his breathing calms to normal as He brings to mind the famous Clara Barton story rushing to the site in their first major out pouring of relief. Second floor shelter many thought would keep them safe, not leaving their homes. But those homes were swept away; it wasn’t the height of water as much as the force that took lives.
Once dad reached the crest after helping others along, he viewed many scurrying to the topmost places even above him, looking for any family member or friend. Fear showed on their faces like he’d never seen before; only heard of. Results of melting snow and three days of constant rain overflowing the river banks brought on this predicament. But the force, still the force was unbelievable. This time 24 four lives were swallowed up by roaring waters. Thank goodness my father-in-law went for the hills; they were his salvation.
It wasn’t the first time and wouldn’t be the last, that floods claimed the lives from counties all around Johnstown. Fourteen feet of water marked the wall below in the center of town. This is now 1936 in the town of Johnstown, P.A. known for the famous dam breaking, taking between 2 to 3,000 lives; the worse single tragedy to take so many victims in the United States before 9/11.
I believe God had a hand in delivering my father-in-law that day in years passed, because my husband is a minister of God; if for nothing else, my father-in-law was spared for that reason, God’s plan. Many have come to know freedom in Christ through his ministry overseas, and here in the United States.
God even protected his father from the embraces of death at the Battle of the Bulge where his whole unit was killed. Walter was kept home because of heart problems and a life expectancy of six months. He lived another 40 years. God had his hands in history; even when tragedies are hard to explain.
We must trust Almighty God through death, war, famine, fire, or flood. Question I will try not, but trust His wisdom I will in time, if at the moment I am puzzled with why.
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