Clinton County Republican-News
May 26, 1927

BOARD VOTES AID FOR BATH

Supervisors Set Aside $2,500 From General Fund for Immediate Need

Clinton County supervisors were quick to realize the county's responsibility 
in sharing part of the financial burden resulting from the Bath disaster.

At a special meeting of the board, called by Chairman Clayton A. Sherman of 
Duplain Friday afternoon, it was voted to set aside $2,500 from the general 
fund for relief work.  Resolutions of sympathy both for Bath and community 
and for their grief-stricken fellow board member, S.E. Ewing and family,
were also adopted by the supervisors.

The resolution regarding the financial aid which was offered by Sup. C.R. Colvin
of Dewitt, follows:

"Resolved: That there be appropriated from the general fund of the county and 
paid into the fund administered by the superintendents for the poor the sum
of $2,500 to be used and expended by said superintendents in their discretion 
in and about the assistance and relief of the situation created through the 
destruction of the Bath Consolidated school building with the awful loss 
and suffering caused thereby."

The resolution of sympathy for Bath and community is published below:

"The Supervisors of Clinton County, Michigan, in special session assembled, 
extend their sincere sympaty to the stricken people of the village and community
of Bath, and especially to those into whose homes has come the visitation of 
death and suffering in the awful tragedy of May 18, 1927.  Words are inadequate
to express the sorrow that is felt, it is beyond human power to restore the
loved ones who have been thus tragically taken, but it is in human hearts 
to suffer with those who mourn and to share the grief of those who are bereaved.
The loss which has come to the good people of Bath is the loss of every man,
woman and child in the commonwealth."

The message of sympathy to Sup. Ewing and family, which the board adopted, 
was voted to be sent to him.

Before adjourning the supervisors unanimously decided that there would be 
no charge to the county for the special meeting.
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CROWDS THRONG BATH SUNDAY

Traffic Held Up on Every Highway to Stricken Village; 2 Hurt

All roads leading into Bath were packed with care Sunday bringing some 50,000
people from all over central and southern Michigan who were curious to see the
place where Michigan's greatest disaster occurred.  By seven o'clock in the 
morning the village was filled and still the throng kept coming.  Early in the 
afternoon traffic became so heavy that lines of cars, unable to move because of
the jam, were extended out from Bath in every direction for miles.  At 3 p.m. 
the large squad of state police who were attempting to handle the traffic with 
the aid of deputies appointed by Sheriff B.J. Fox, were sent out to the main roads
with orders to send back all motorists headed for Bath.

One party of Lansing pepole, bringing supplies to Red Cross headquarters, were 
over four hours on the road from Lansing to Bath, about 9 miles.  Relief workers
could not get in or out of the village unless accompanied by motorcyle policemen
and even then they made slow time.  Fortunately no serious traffic accidents 
occurred although one small boy from Milan received a bad cut in his abdomen 
when a car from the rear crashed into the machine in which he was riding.  After
being given first aid treatment by the Red Cross he was taken to a Lansing hospital.

Mrs. Oren McClintock of St. Johns, sustained a fractured bone in her hand 
in another traffic accident.