Jenny Juranek

STATUS: 
Survivor
AGE: 
MARITAL STATUS: 
ETHNICITY: 
GENDER: 
F
CEMETERY: 

...grabbed a rail and kept herself afloat...

A recollection told by Jerry Muchna, nephew of Jenny Juranek:

"I was 9 years old at the time, but I remember the day very well. I was playing with a friend when we heard that the Eastland had capsized in the Chicago River. My parents were very concerned because my mother's sister, Jenny Juranek, was on the ship. Jenny was a young woman who was the pitcher for the Western Electric Girl's Softball Team: I think they were called the Western Electric Bloomer Girls. As I remember, the team was to play a game when they reached their destination in Michigan City. When the Eastland capsized she was thrown into the water but was able to grab hold of a rail and keep herself afloat. In the panic, she was able to reach for her box camera that was floating near her. She was quickly rescued by someone in a rowboat, and she was not injured. Some time later, Jenny called home and said that she was okay, but wet."

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