RAW VIDEO: MOUNT ST. HELENS. MAY 15TH, 1980. 3 DAYS BEFORE THE ERUPTION.

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4 жыл бұрын

MAY 15TH, 1980
Three days before the eruption
These aerials of the Mount St. Helens and the legendary proprietor Harry Truman are some of the last known images of the lake, the lodge and the man who embodied the rugged people that lived in the shadow of the volcano.
Harry Truman was one of the victims lost during the eruption when Spirit Lake, the lodge and camps that surrounded the lake were buried by the collapse of the mountain's north face and the explosion of the mountain itself.
This video also shows the final stages of the evacuation and airlift removal of the equipment from the Boy Scout Camp on Spirit Lake.
This is newly restored video from the KGW archives.
It is presented in it's original 4x3 registration.
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Пікірлер: 210

@elizabethbigback2344 4 жыл бұрын

Just a man who went down who went down with his little slice of heaven. RIP Harry.

@dwizzleusa4202 2 жыл бұрын

The only man that died and took everything with him!

@cult-of-sporque 5 күн бұрын

If I lived there, I would have stayed, too. I don't think I could live with losing something like that.

@cameroncampbell6635 Жыл бұрын

The reason Harry Truman didn’t want to leave was cause he was alone, His family had died and was buried nearby, The lodge was really the only thing he had left, so he was going to go with it. This sounds weird but with Harry being 80 years old, I totally understand why he wouldn’t want to leave with his life work. If you disagree, ask yourself this. How would you rather die? Wasting away in a retirement home or dying so quickly you don’t feel any pain surrounded by your life’s work.

@duncanbauer7309 11 ай бұрын

Up until you said Ask yourself, I totally agreed with you, Who the Hell are you to tell someone anyone to ask themselves?

@jackbeagle8458 9 ай бұрын

@@duncanbauer7309nothing wrong with that question, everyone needs to be challenged, even by strangers.

@deanpd3402 4 ай бұрын

@@duncanbauer7309who the hell are you to be so easily offended?

@duncanbauer7309 4 ай бұрын

Learned Decades ago, telling a 30year smoker smoking is bad for them might get you cursed out. If they don't know it by now, in wasn't my place to tell them. Bet that went right over your head. @@deanpd3402

@duncanbauer7309 4 ай бұрын

Some would call the "even by Strangers" part, entitlement for the Entitled. .....by good intentions.@@jackbeagle8458

@TheBinoyVudi 3 жыл бұрын

Back in those days tv crews would record over old footage to avoid ending up with a huge pile of tapes. Imagine what other footage may have been lost forever. What ever little remains is precious now.

@chocolatetownforever7537 Жыл бұрын

Thats why KZfaq is a godsend just for its archival ability. Where would get to see this stuff? Im an 80s kid, our libraries were so limited back then.

@rubenskiii 6 күн бұрын

Indeed people think too limited about KZfaq, some even want it gone. But it is very, very important because it is the place where footage can be shared. Things like this.

@CaliforniaBushman 4 жыл бұрын

Trying to wrap my head around the fact that Spirit Lake was hit with a 300 - 500mph solid wall of 500°F+ vaporized rock, pyroclast, and tree trunks which wiped out the lodge's houses, docks & boats in less than a second, and pushed all the lake's water 800 ft up the north canyon walls. Then dropped 200 vertacle ft of new lake bottom on top of the old lake bottom. Then the water that didn't boil away, rushing back down off the north canyons onto the new bed, raising the pool elevation 200 ft! Everything in this footage pulverized in an instant and likely buried under the lake bed. These scales, speeds, temps, and cataclysmic shock waves aren't really conceivable.

@SheepofTheShepherd-nu3lz 3 жыл бұрын

And that's the mighty hand of God that did that. God's Wrath is serious

@ogs1mpson609 3 жыл бұрын

At least it was a quick death. If he was indoors at the time of the eruption I doubt Harry even had time to realize what was happening? How much time do you think it took for the blast wave to hit the lodge? Judging by videos I’d say 30sec to 1min

@CaliforniaBushman 3 жыл бұрын

@@ogs1mpson609Some say he was fishing on the lake like he usually did early in the morning. Which would have afforded him a nice view. Anyway, not fair to his 15+ cats.

@ogs1mpson609 3 жыл бұрын

Jeffrey A. Smith not fair for the cats, but imagine the awesome life those cats had on spirit lake compared to other kitties. As much as I’d love to imagine that Harry would’ve been thrilled to see the eruption, I think the natural human reaction is to run and duck for cover.

@yamato6114 3 жыл бұрын

Apparently the surface of the water You’re seeing in this video is where the lake bed is today. All that debris displaced the water before it all drained back into the new basin.

@ms.jewell8154 3 жыл бұрын

He didn't want to leave his wife and daughter who were buried there. Wow! Rest his soul

@deniseyeaisaidit 2 жыл бұрын

Do you know how his daughter died and when?

@FrankieBlueEyes 2 жыл бұрын

@@deniseyeaisaidit his daughter died in 1961 at the age of 39. She wasn't buried on the mountain.

@coreym162 4 ай бұрын

@@FrankieBlueEyes Oh my God! :/ No parent should ever have to outlive their children. This tells me everything I need to know now. :/ She was so young :/ That and a world getting soft. I might have done the same.

@karaDee2363 3 ай бұрын

That is not the reason why he refused to leave. He refused to leave because he didn't think the mountain was going to kill him

@theshamegame2787 12 күн бұрын

@@FrankieBlueEyesHow'd his daughter die?

@pomerlain8924 4 жыл бұрын

Well he did say the mountain was a part of him. Now, he is a permanent part of the mountain. It was newsworthy to see a stubborn man refuse to leave his home, but you do wonder if the news channels realized that they were recording the last few days if his life. He basically signed his death warrant by refusing to leave. Though dying instantly in a volcanic eruption is a lot better than slowly withering away over the years.

@cameroncampbell6635 Жыл бұрын

@12themilkman Жыл бұрын

@@cameroncampbell6635 yeah, it’s a sad deal. Very difficult to gauge exactly what one might do in his shoes. If he had evacuated, think how devastated he would’ve been to see that big beautiful house by the lake that he and his family had known for so long completely destroyed. There are many things worse than death, and I can imagine that might’ve be one for Mr. Truman.

@cameroncampbell6635 Жыл бұрын

@@12themilkman I mean it was ether spend your last week alone with your life work with your pets and have painfulness death ( mostly cause of how quick the volcano would have killed it ) or die alone 5 years later in a rest home

@chiasanzes9770 9 ай бұрын

Yes spend rest of his next few months or weeks on bed in some old folks home is not so great. You only stare at the ceiling mouth open without no one to visit you there. This was a much better way for Harry to go. He had such a incredible past life full of adventures and dangers as well fun that he did not care anymore if the mountain blows. My father did something similar he either wanted to leave his home move old folks home. Sofa pottatoes here will differ

@karaDee2363 3 ай бұрын

@@cameroncampbell6635that is total BS!!

@danbruner3563 3 жыл бұрын

On May 17th the day before the eruption the Sheriffs Dept. made one final trip to Harry's Lodge to see if they could get him to come down off the mountain. Harry had 16 cats from what I read, however, while they were visiting Harry one of the deputy left his car door open and either later that day or the following the deputy found one in his patrol car. He knew it could've come from only one place when he was interviewed a short time after. This is a true story from what I read. He said that he had left his car door open while they were at the lodge and the cat must have climbed in and got in the floor of the backseat and rode down the mountain with them when they left. After reading that I thought, "Man! If that cat could've talked!"

@matthewwelsh294 2 жыл бұрын

Lol smart cat 🐈

@bananajoe3669 2 жыл бұрын

And the cat said: "Meouw.."

@DSToNe19and83 9 ай бұрын

So only 15 perished. What a cool cat.. 🍻

@stevengallant6363 8 ай бұрын

the deputy named the cat Lava

@guaporeturns9472 12 күн бұрын

Luckiest cat around

@chocolatetownforever7537 Жыл бұрын

Amazing that lake grows to a level of 150 feet three days later. Basically where that helicopter is flying is where it is now.

@georgef1176 4 жыл бұрын

RIP Harry Truman like a true captain

@TheBinoyVudi 3 жыл бұрын

@steve Webb he's about 300 feet below the surface of the water. About a 100 feet of water and then some 200 feet of debris. And the lodge was probably swept away a few hundreds of feet by the landslide. It's hard to find him. But his soul lives in that lake.

@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheBinoyVudi *His "spirit" lives in the lake.

@DSToNe19and83 9 ай бұрын

He was a sailor in ww1, he went down with his ship! 🍻

@chuckfriebe843 10 күн бұрын

@@DSToNe19and83 Oh ok. If you say so.

@DSToNe19and83 10 күн бұрын

@@chuckfriebe843 let me hear your take?

@arladicey 4 жыл бұрын

You know, it was certainly Mr. Truman's right to stay and "go down with his ship", I suppose; but I've always thought that the least he could have done was to let them relocate his kitties (which he had quite a few of). At least they would have survived. After all, they weren't given any choice. The only blessing, for both him and his cats, is that it happened pretty quickly; I think the estimates were that Spirit Lake was overwhelmed in something like 30 or 40 seconds. Harry Truman was definitely a character.

@kathleenstutzman5381 4 жыл бұрын

I wish he could have left with cats. Even 30-40 seconds is a long time to scald to death. I'm sure he is at rest now.

@WonderLady 3 жыл бұрын

I like to think the cats fucked off before it blew. Animals are sensible after all

@VanishedPNW 2 жыл бұрын

They're cats. Human beings lost their fucking lives. 57 of them. Have some humanity. Americans value the lives of their PETS over the lives of their people.

@cellogirl11rw55 2 жыл бұрын

@@kathleenstutzman5381 Pyroclastic flows move faster than the speed of sound, and they are so hot that they vaporize flesh and bone on contact. If you listen to David Johnston's last call, he only had a few seconds before it hit him, and his body was never found.

@Brandon-lw1wx 2 жыл бұрын

@@VanishedPNW Stop it with that. No one is disrespecting the 57 lives lost.

@louielouiepks 4 жыл бұрын

That is quite historic footage. To know what is going to happen. Almost unbelievable.

@charlesburgoyne-probyn6044 4 ай бұрын

Eerie calm before the storm yet the mountain 🏔️ was showing evermore signs of change

@Skier10 11 ай бұрын

Many pics but this is one of the few videos taken at the shoreline of old spirit lake. Gives a sense of how beautiful and peaceful it really was there. Hard to believe this whole scene all changed in an instant.

@Toltecgrl 5 ай бұрын

We will never see Spirit Lake this full of trees again in our lifetime

@kevintennant7701 3 жыл бұрын

I really admire that guy. Can't tell him what to do regardless of the future and he wasn't falling for those who were trying to save him on their ideals. I think many people can learn from this guy. And before you say that he died in vain, if you listen to what he has to say, he wouldn't last a day away from the camp. I'm sure he had built that camp with the love of his life. If you could resurrect him, and ask him did he think he made the wrong choice, I am certain he would say I still made the best choice. He died with his wife's soul.

@fly-over1517 Жыл бұрын

So agree with your statement. nailed it!!!

@dcaseng 2 жыл бұрын

Not many get to choose their fate, so I can respect anyone who knowingly makes a decision like this.

@gamorah1 3 жыл бұрын

Harry had about 15 cats who he loved like family. They all perished with him. He was 83, it was a no brainer that he stayed in his lodge. God Bless him. He was a brave and courageous man.

@alexwhite3232 2 жыл бұрын

These comments are so weird to me. There’s nothing courageous about what he did. Courage is doing something good despite the risk to yourself. Firefighters are courageous for example. He chose to die, and took 15 animals with him. That’s not what courage is. It’s the exact opposite of courage quite frankly. I don’t hate this man, that’s not what I’m saying. He’s just not courageous. I wish he would have let those cats get a chance at life with new families. Regardless, it’s done. Hopefully it was a fast end for them all.

@Flirri Жыл бұрын

@@alexwhite3232 Sometimes when you are reading through comments and you're the odd person out, there's a reason. Reflect a little.

@cameroncampbell6635 Жыл бұрын

@@alexwhite3232 The reason Harry Truman didn’t want to leave was cause he was alone, His family had died and was buried nearby, The lodge was really the only thing he had left, so he was going to go with it. This sounds weird but with Harry being 80 years old, I totally understand why he would want to leave with his life work.

@mikelavin9704 4 ай бұрын

@@Flirri He did reflect; he had the security in himself to accept the label of "the odd person out" concerning a post on this channel about a man who chose to die a non-courageous death. I have confidence his ego can handle the title you've bestowed upon him. Rather than smugly deride his well thought out opinion, you could provide a rebuttal. 🤔

@geezushasrisen Ай бұрын

Harry was born in 1896. From traveling on horseback to seeing a damn helicopter in front of his home, jets flying through the air over the mountains… the wars, the changes in society… he’s seen a lot. No point running at that age; I’d done the same thing.

@Off-The-X 2 ай бұрын

That view. That home. Loved ones buried next to him. He did it right!

@Off-The-X 2 ай бұрын

0:58 That face! 🌈❤‍🩹

@marlisvontoggenburg2613 3 жыл бұрын

Me friend from 1980s RIP see you in heaven ⚓️

@traciebecker6669 3 жыл бұрын

Currently reading the book about his life, written by his niece Shirley Rosen. The man lived and died with gusto! Some of those commenting here should read the book. No, he didn't marry his sister. Good grief people will write any kind of garbage they hear or read as factual.

@rawbacon 3 жыл бұрын

Just because his niece wrote it, doesn't make it true.........Good grief people will believe anything someone writes.

@traciebecker6669 2 жыл бұрын

@@rawbacon His niece lived with him and his wife and worked for them. Have you read the book and researched other articles on his life story?

@toplaycool21 Жыл бұрын

I truly believe that this man wanted to go home and I don’t mean the physical one. Everyone he knew was gone and he felt he had nowhere to go. He was ready to leave the Earth so he was enjoying his last moments. Getting choked up just thinking about it.

@DSToNe19and83 9 ай бұрын

I don’t get choked up over thinking about it. I smile and admire, knowing this guy went on his own terms! 🍻

@stilltlrforlife 4 жыл бұрын

God bless that brave soul, I cannot blame him, as beautiful as that landscape was, I'd have stayed too. I barely remember the eruption but I do remember my parents talking aboit it and watching it on the news.

@allewis4008 4 жыл бұрын

That land tugs at your soul, no wonder he was content to die there.

@lanthanumlanthanium6373 2 күн бұрын

Something so poetic about standing your ground to mother nature and ending it on your own terms.

@brainysmurf74 3 жыл бұрын

Why do maps not ever show the actual location of the lodge?

@coreym162 4 ай бұрын

It was likely on the Southern shore that was facing the mountain.

@myopicautisticmetal9035 2 ай бұрын

Literally, the location of the lodge is now under water. Where Harrys' lodge once stood is now under 30+ feet of water.

@Marco-fn6kg 3 жыл бұрын

what a legend ! RIP Harry

@ninalee8625 4 жыл бұрын

That's a beautiful house. I would've gone down with the ship, too.

@ItsIdaho 3 жыл бұрын

Agreed. Lived there his whole life, already lost his family. This was his last piece he had.

@deanb4799 3 жыл бұрын

I wouldn't leave either. RIP Harry. I remember that morning. The windows rattled in British Columbia. I was six years old.

@terr777 4 ай бұрын

My car got covered in ash...in San Antonio, Texas.

@seventhdayissabbath8747 4 ай бұрын

When I was a little kid my parents along with some friends went camping at Spirit Lake... Hard to imagine that what you see here is gone in an instant...

@Brianrockrailfan 4 жыл бұрын

liked video 👍

@obryan240 11 күн бұрын

I was 3 when this happened but my parents used to visit this place. I've been a few times but to young to remember.

@chuckfriebe843 10 күн бұрын

*too young

@PNWElevatorAviation 4 жыл бұрын

My bday's May 15!! I was -23 years old

@robertfulmer8475 2 жыл бұрын

It was his right to choose how and when he meets his maker, they now are trying to take that right away at this very moment, along with all the rest of our rights, I admire his choice to live as he seen fit and die also, as he seen fit here in this place, with his family resting in peace nearby, and all the works of his life around him, A Great man !

@pepperminthippo6854 Жыл бұрын

I suppose you supported those brave folks who injected bleach into themselves in Texas, am I right?

@jonluchessi1643 9 күн бұрын

Poor guy!!!! it was a beautiful place he worked hard he built that place it was his home and I really hope he didn’t suffer too much.

@racheldianeames3729 2 жыл бұрын

Why did the people in that helicopter also haul away a boat with them ??

@RichardS-qh8mi 15 күн бұрын

Chilling to see those shots just days before it wiped out everything in its path - understand the tsunami alone was over 300ft high when the gargantuan landslide hit the lake. Natures fury is non negotiable.

@AwesomeAngryBiker 3 жыл бұрын

This is waaaay more poignant than the actual eruption

@Lazyeyewitness 3 жыл бұрын

I think he lived on his own terms, and he died on his own terms too!

@charleshelgeland5238 4 жыл бұрын

How many sasquatches died in the eruption

@therealmogreen 3 жыл бұрын

haha

@biffbustanutt3955 Жыл бұрын

All the rest of them!

@DSToNe19and83 9 ай бұрын

Apparently the national guard was there securing those bad mama jamamas! Lol, I’m joking but I did just watch another video about a cover up after the fact trying to hide bodies of some sort during this event.

@j.w.r3730 13 күн бұрын

@@DSToNe19and83 There were supposedly 3 found dead,one injured and seen being treated at an army triage feild camp hospital. And a companion sitting behind the one being treated. They were all collected.

@DSToNe19and83 13 күн бұрын

@@j.w.r3730 I’m glad to know they are safe..

@brianfarmer6223 3 ай бұрын

Why does it say no minors by doors, was that the bar for lodge and having last drinks with friends?

@cj0766 21 күн бұрын

He’s signing off was iconic,what a legend

@fly-over1517 Жыл бұрын

I remember this on TV from pre and post eruption. I don't blame him for not leaving. I would have stayed also. Being the age he was, his life was near its end, and why would he want to up and leave to start a new life where ? nowhere he stayed because that's where he and his family belonged.

@DSToNe19and83 9 ай бұрын

That lake and that lodge, there’s no way I’m leaving either. A man’s fate is the man’s fate! I bet he had a smile will he took that last sip of coffee or Jack and coke while it happened. Godspeed Harry, can’t wait to go back and pay you a visit! 🍻

@mikelavin9704 4 ай бұрын

Everyone defines a noble act and death with dignity differently.

@Toltecgrl 5 ай бұрын

What are they lowering ? Little did they know all that would be wiped out

@asanseil5553 18 күн бұрын

Good Old Harry. We love you, brother.

@jhanturandall2519 2 жыл бұрын

Truman I understand but the rest of these people camping were idiots who met a date they could’ve easily avoided

@jamesbraun9842 2 жыл бұрын

Many of them were life long residents who thought tye same way. Would rather die with all these valuables than watch it go away before their very eyes.

@TravisLoneWolfWalsh 3 жыл бұрын

I’m like that old captain I’m going down with the ship_ Harry Truman

@silvereagle2061 16 күн бұрын

Harry and his beloved lodge are together in Heaven. Also RIP David Johnston.

@TroyCenter 3 ай бұрын

Buried deep, that man is!

@greatunz67 15 күн бұрын

From the description "It is presented in it's original 4x3 registration" .. the term is 'resolution' not registration. and this from a supposedly professional TV stations channel LOL!

@michaelpetschnigg6357 5 ай бұрын

Was this the spirit lake?

@IanCthrwd 5 күн бұрын

This was at the shore on the northern shore of Spirit Lake. Property was probably obliterated by the pyroclastic flow and later buried in 500 feet of debris. Death was instantaneous. Rest in Peace Harry.

@SA1NT53 2 ай бұрын

They wrote a song about Mr Truman after the eruption

@desertengineer1 2 жыл бұрын

It was sad to see some people call for him to be forcefully removed. He was overtly honest with everyone that he was born there, he had lived a long, good life, and if it was his time, he would die there. RIP Mr. Truman. In his shoes I probably would have done the same. Leave everything you’ve built, and known to get stuffed in some corner of a facility somewhere? Nope. I want to go like he did.

@jenniferraymond9766 2 жыл бұрын

He wasn't born there. He was born in West Virginia. And he was not, by all accounts, an overtly honest man. He was abusive to his 3 wives, unlawful, a poacher, he swindled his customers by lying about the tax rates for his services, and was a clueless narcissist who often referred to himself in the third person. He took 15 cats with him to the grave when he could have let them be evacuated and given to good homes. He hated all sorts of people, even young children and the elderly, so I doubt anyone who knew him personally missed him once he was dead. Only ignorant sheep who take the media at face value and refuse to look deeper past the "folk hero" crap would admire a man like him. The guy was definitely a piece of work.....eschewing civilization yet craving all of that attention he was getting the last few months of his life.

@DK-gy7ll Жыл бұрын

Actually he was born in West Virginia, and moved to Spirit Lake in the 1920s. He served during World War One and actually survived having his ship torpedoed and sunk by a U-Boat.

@DSToNe19and83 9 ай бұрын

@@DK-gy7llfinally someone brings this up. Dude was born in the late 1800s, seen a whole lot of crap. Hard to blame the guy, matter of fact I admire him. Don’t forget about his prohibition days and dealing with the mob in San Francisco. He literally ran back to spirit lake after the mob threaten him while running his auto shop. 🍻

@myopicautisticmetal9035 2 ай бұрын

yeah, as the previous guys said, he was Not born in Washington State.

@Clearanceman2 15 сағат бұрын

Spirit lake was so pretty.

@ryan24a73 2 жыл бұрын

why would he end his life that's scary

@camerongebler2473 3 жыл бұрын

I cannot tell is this president Harry Truman? Edit: no it’s not I looked it up

@johnprendergast1338 16 күн бұрын

Harry probably had a couple of boiler- makers for the road ...

@catecalvertarriola3986 3 ай бұрын

Sorry, but old Harry felt the pain of being swallowed up by Helen. His last thoughts were, "Oh shit what have I done?"

@michaelastorga3187 Жыл бұрын

The last would ever see Harry.

@windwhipped5 11 күн бұрын

They tried..I cant imagine it being a peaceful death..I wonder if he tried to get outta the way, or just sit on his porch and let it come directly at him..

@TroyCenter 3 ай бұрын

I wouldn’t have left either. Losing all that. I’d rather go down with my ship too.

@loristephens3016 2 күн бұрын

He made his decision, he had that right, that I can understand and respect. But he didn't have the right to condemn his cats to the same fate.

@stevengallant6363 8 ай бұрын

7:04 I Wonder whose boat that was And why they are taken it out by helicopter.... Probably the state's boat or Something... It would cost a lot to pay a helicopter to transport A boat like that

@karaDee2363 3 ай бұрын

Bye-bye Harry, it was nice knowing you

@rasterraster1728 11 ай бұрын

He had a dope as hell house...no wonder he didnt want to leave.

@haltestelle793 4 жыл бұрын

1:46 - 2:03 restored huh?

@chasityjordan6310 3 жыл бұрын

Restoration isn't always perfect.

@guaporeturns9472 12 күн бұрын

He found out

@Toltecgrl 5 ай бұрын

Harry Truman sure had a big house all to himself. It’s basically a mansion. Was his family wealthy? I wish somebody wrote a book about his life. He sounds interesting

@s13rr4buf3 4 ай бұрын

It was a lodge, for guests to stay at.

@elizadawne3896 28 күн бұрын

There is a book that was written by his niece I think. Its called Truman of Saint Helens

@glershnern5300 3 жыл бұрын

Danm, that's a big house. Like a hillbilly mansion

@josephastier7421 13 күн бұрын

My kind of guy. The mountain was his world. Imagine if the Earth would be destroyed, would you flee with everyone else and watch your planet die? Or would you go down with her? I know where I'd be. With my best bottle of scotch.