On June 22, 1972 the worst natural disaster in the history of
Northeastern Pennsylvania occurred. Levees along the Susquehanna
River broke, flooding the Wyoming Valley. 13,000 homes were lost
plus bridges and commercial buildings. Over 200,000 people were in
need of rescue and relief. The heart of Wilkes-Barre became a
polluted, foul-smelling lake. Wilkes College was flooded and
severed electric wires started many fires that burned out of
control; fire apparatus couldn't reach these. Forty Fort Cemetery
gave up many of its caskets, sending them bobbing over floodwaters
like surfboards. Looting followed the destruction of business
districts and terrified rodents attacked humans. Public utilities
were out of commission and manpower to do what was needed was
lacking. Shock numbed the senses of survivors. It was too much, too
sudden, for people to comprehend. One of the unsung heroes in the
aftermath, which followed Agnes, was Min L. Matheson. Matheson not
only served as head of Wyoming Valley District of the ILGWU,
fighting corruption in local garment factories, but was also a
founding member of the National Organization for Women. Perhaps one
of her proudest achievements was the work she did, on behalf of
Agnes flood victims, in securing emergency aid. As leader of the
Flood Victims Action Council, Matheson confronted HUD secretary
George Romney during a visit to Wilkes-Barre on August 9, 1972.
From the Associated Press:
“Romney was shouted down by 25 flood victims Wednesday
when he accused Gov. Milton Shapp of ‘political
demagoguery’ for the governor’s criticism of federal
relief efforts. The leader of the Flood Victims Action Council, a
63-year old grandmother, called Romney’s trip ‘a
three-ring circus’ and shouted at the U.S. Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development: ‘You don’t care whether
we live or die.' The heated three-way exchange between Romney, the
victims and Shapp came at a news conference following a private
session with local and state officials. The victims wanted in on
the talks, but Romney ordered them out, saying they would interfere
with ‘a free expression of viewpoints.’ Mrs. Min
Matheson, chairman of the local victims’ group, shouted
questions at Romney throughout his news conference, and was often
joined by other refugees. At one point, she pushed a picture of her
daughter’s splintered home to within a foot of Romney’s
nose”
With Matheson’s help, 15,000 families in the Wyoming
Valley received assistance from HUD, helping with housing, recovery
and bringing equity back to their flood-damaged properties. A
historical marker on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre commemorates her
accomplishments. Min Matheson died in 1992.
----------------------------------------------
The posted coordinates will take you to the Min L. Matheson
marker on Public Square. You will use the data on the marker to
obtain the coordinates for the final stage. The final stage is
located in Kirby Park, with a great view of the Susquehanna River
and the City of Wilkes-Barre. The walk between stages is
manageable. There is also ample parking at Kirby Park. Heck, you
could technically do this cache via boat. Please observe posted
park hours.
FINAL COORDINATES
N 41 15.xxx W 075 5y.9z6
xxx=Matheson's year of birth, minus 1655.
y=Number of letters in the last word on the marker.
z=The third digit of the last year which Min was the head of the
Wyoming Valley District of the ILGWU, minus one.
The cache contains a logbook and pencil, as well as some small
items for trade. There's also room for small trackable items.
Don’t be shy about practicing a little CITO, and don't forget
to have fun!
