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Drowning in the fairgrounds parking lot
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July 31, 2012 |
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Jack Flinn |
As I recall from by childhood days, sometime in
the 1953-1956 era, it was early spring and high
water time on the Kootenai.
The fairgrounds parking lot wasn't as we now
know it; back then it was a low, large bowl. It
has been filled with gravel since this story.
Water had seeped into the parking lot back then
and created a large pond, irresistible to
adventurous youngsters.
Two brothers, I believe their names were Larry
and Mike Stemmene, who I played with a lot, had
built a small raft.
Well, apparently the raft came apart while they
were on it.
My father, Paul Flinn, told me many years later
how he and the sheriff at the time pulled the
two boys' bodies out of the large "pond" created
by the high water of the Kootenai river.
You can still see water standing in that parking
lot when the river is up and the snow melts off
in the spring, but nothing like it did ...
looking back.
JF |
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Remember this? Add your comment! |
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I remember it so well, Jack. It was when the
high water would seep up all over the place ...
Edgar and Jeri lived right down there by the
fair grounds. So, so sad. Thanks, Jack for
sharing all your history with all of us. |
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Grams Daisy Huggins |
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Not that long ago I ran across the news paper
clipping of that tragedy, I had saved it. If I
can find it again I will get it to you Jack.
Thanks much for the reminder. |
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Audrey Schenk |
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