Hammon Flood Washita River 04 April 1934

© Cheyenne Star

Submitted by: Wanda Purcell

Fifteen people who lost their lives in the flood are buried in this cemetery.

The raging waters of the Washita River washed away their homes. After the water receded, surviving family members and neighbors started the hunt for bodies and survivors.

Some were found several miles away down river.

Mable Bush was found 20 miles away near Stafford.

Seven members of the Adams family, three members of the Bush family, five members of the Fenter family and two members of the Taylor family lost their lives that day.

A single monument honors the memory of Maggie Adams and her six daughters.

Individual markers honor the Bush family as well as the Fenter family. A single marker honors the memory for Mrs. Taylor and Lenora Taylor.

Hammon Flood Washita River 04 April 1934

© Cheyenne Star

12 Apr 1934, page 1

Submitted by: Wanda Purcell

Legionnaires To Search For Missing Bodies Sunday, April 15th

LEGIONNAIRES WILL CONDUCT SEARCH

Five Persons Still Unaccounted For As Rescuers Search Washita Valley For Missing

12 BODIES HAVE BEEN FOUND

Local Legionnaires To Help In Systematic Search Of Entire Valley, Sunday April 15th

Although a diligent and continuous search has been going on for the past nine days, five of the missing bodies swept away in the flood of last week are still unaccounted for.

The 12 dead bodies that have been found are: Audrey Adams, age 10; Opal Adams, age 18; Lola Adams, age 5; Mrs. A. M. Adams, age 35; Edith Adams, age 13; Mr. L. L. Fenter, age 35; Levi Fenter, age 18; Mrs. Lawrence Taylor; Lenora Taylor, age 9; Stella May Fenter, Lorena Bush, age 8 and Mrs. Leo Bush.

The missing are Wilma Adams, age 6; Venita Adams, age 1; Mary Agnes Fenter, age 12; L. L. Fenter and Leo Bush.

The Adams family resided four and a half miles west of Hammon and the Fenter family resided five miles east of Hammon.

The flood which swept the Washita valley leaving in its wake a path of destruction, was caused by a 13-inch rain which fell in Cheyenne and vicinity on the evening of April 3, between the hours of 6 and 11, causing a 25-foot rise in the Washita river which swept its valley from Cheyenne east, causing greatest damage in the vicinity of Hammon where it spread about 2 o'clock in the morning.

Mrs. Fenter was a daughter of County Commissioner and Mrs. J. J. Wilson. The entire family were lost in the flood.

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