The fourth of July, 1859 was made memorable by an awfle disaster that occurred at Clear Lake, a pleasure resort ten miles southwest of Reading.
A celebration was in progress and many Reading residents were attracted to the resort for the day.
An old scow had been fitted up into a crude sort of steamboat and this was used to give excursion trips to and from the island. As the boat was nearing the main shore after one of these trips it suddenly capsized without warning and the load of about thirty people were thrown into the water.
Eleven precious lives were lost and seven of those were from Reading village.
|
|
