The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-07-17
DISASTER.

FTOn the LedrsnoOTh Times and ConserpdtiUe, July 10.
Last Sunday morning Paola was the scene OF Wild
excitement. On Saturday night about 10 O'Clock
heavy rain commenced to fall, and continued in tor
rents for several hours; AZ daylight some citizens
eeve the startling intelligence that Bull Creek
was rising rapidly, threatening destruction Of life
at the depot a fearful sight met the eye
AS far as vision extended the rising waters
erected by Snyder h Larken, were surrounded
by water, as well the boarding houses aud farm
houses beyond In the TIMBER close to the creek,
men, women, children, and animals were clingng to
trees or clustering on points OF high ground The
surface Of the water dotted with household arti
cles, which had come down with the mood, and the
water was still rising, while high above the confu-
sion cries OF distress were heard in every direction
Almost without warning, about daylight, the rush.
ing water had forced families to leave their houses
and take TO trees or hastly-constructed RATS. No
time was had for moving valuabes or household
goods, and not unfrequently the unfortunates
their houses and homes, the accumulation of years,
Every moment the water rose higher, and every
moment of delay increased the danger to the de
voted victims of the flood. But the citizens lost but
little time, and soon had several RATS and sks
the inland sea. Brave men manned them, and soon
the hasiycOnstructed lfebOats began to land their
precious freight amid the cheers of the enthusiastic
multitude. Men stripped themselves and pushed
little RATS for long distance through drft-wCod
and brush to any unfortunate needing their assist
ance. BY O'Clock all PaOa was astir, each citizen
doing his utmost to alleviate the general distress
II was then ascertained that the storm had
tended in every direction In the vicinity of the town
Wea creek was on the rampage; Bull creek was a
mile or two wide at any point, while Ten Mile
creek, on the north, was reported as having risen
thirty feet. South and west Of town boats were
busy nearly all day patTolling the over1owed bot
toms. BY noon Paoa looked like an island in an inn
mense lake. but the waters had then reached their
height and soon commenced to subside. BY dark
the flood had fallen foot by yesterday morning
several feet more, and by the time this reaches our
readers the food at Paola will have become thing
of the past Paola has had fearful sensation,
which we hope will never be repeated.
THE LOSS OF PROPERTY.
Two country bridges over Bull creek costing $4,000
and SSOOO respectively, were swept away. Nj. Hage-
man, formerly of Leavenworth, lost over $4,000. His
store had over six feet of water in it for over six
hours Latshaw Quade & Co., lumber dealers, had
small loss in lumber and lath ioated off, Ousleys
and became wreck with all its contents, in the
brush on the creek bank. G. f. Ulmer and L. Tell
ner, who had camped for the night near the creek,
were warned by their pony, but had no time to
save their wagon. Fairs ice-house noated of
| about noon. Mr.. Fair also had some loss in his
| restaurant, though he saved most of his goods.
Dietzs small red building, used arestaurant left
| its moorings just before noon. Shaw Murlen's
mill, which was in course of construction, was badly
damaged. Most OF the wood work washed out
and hoated away The machinery, fresh from the
Great Western foundry was on the ground, and was
considerably damaged % hogs ana one yoke OF cat
| tie were drowned Their loss was about s5OOO
water and received considerable damage. Wigant
/ SOgemyer saved very little from their bakery and
res aG ee o loss O was @ meaVy & me loss q
considerable. The bridge Ten Mile was carried
of and lodged about four hundred yards below The
paired with despatch. Though the round-house was
pretty well filled with water and the depot platforms
were under water, the damage to the railroad pro-
perty Paola was but slight. Trains will run as
| usual and make all connections as advertised.
LOSS OF LIFE.
The only deaths reported up to the time of the de-
parture OF the train yesterday mording were those OF
two children killed near Columbia, on the bank OF
was rising fast and the mother endeavoring to
save her children. She had already placed one
the log honse fell to peces and they W were crushed
/ to death. The family moved into the house Friday
| morning. The father, Section Boss Smith, was at
Columbia across the river during this fearful time.
INCIDENTS.
James Dawson, wife, and four children after pass
ing several hours in treee, were saved about $50
daughter, and domestic were rescued by boat
about9 o'clock. Mr.. Tilton, wife, and two children,
and lady visitor were taken from fra raft by a
boat 10 A. NJ. His house south OF town, but it
was standing at last accounts. The ladies showed
| ing position, a log, to which two men and woman
were clinging passed them, but their cries for
help were not answered. Jacob Magill and
| Jones rode and swan his horse out and
| brought Mrs. Mag in, but before he returned the
water had raised so that Mr. Magil had to wait for
boat. Monroe Heron, wife, two children and father
were saved through an alarm given by the dog;
by the boat. NJ. A. Dawson, northwest of town,
| with his wife and two children, waded through
about daylight, Albert Dean and wife, of the same
| and two children, and Charles Roberts and wife,
coored families, were rescued by the boat,
/ wife, and two children, and his sister and child,
waded out at daylight Two women and eleven
| children, immigrants were rescued about noon by
Messrs. Covert and Higgins. They were found in
wagon boxes chained to trees. Their husbands had
started out early to build raft and were missing
Mr.. Dollar, wife, and six children were saved early
in the morning, but lost their house. A Murlin and
| two others were taken from the mill about noon,
An Ohio family Of four persons were warned by q
neighbor just in time to escape, but their house was
| carried of.
/ The citizens Wed with each other in rendering
assistance, but some are deserving OF special notice.
Messrs. Dennis, Roof, and Finch started on raft to
the relief OF the parties at the MILL but by mis-
hap the raft upset and they had to climb trees till
they were rescued by John Higgins and K. H. Smith,
but not till the latter also experienced upset.
Messrs Covert and City Marshal Higgins were sue
cessfu in saving thirteen lives. Thomas Fagln. II.
Frankfurt, T. Frankburn, D. Kelly, and A. II. Min
turn depot carpenters, rendered valuable service in
| removing Frank Fairs goods and in other ways.
Messrs. Grill, Esenaur and another man did duty in
skiff nearly all day and succeeded In doing much
good. Sheriff Rainey was on horseback all day TAX
| ing an active part. b. Snyder rendered valuable
| assistance everywhere. The citizens who gave
| shelter to the unfortunates did nobly, and among
them we desire to notice Mr.. Hoh, who took charge
Of the Tilton family, and James Leonard, who fur
| nished some clothing. -
East OF Spring Hill considerable damage was DONE
| Billie Holdens barn was struck by lightning and
destroyed, with a lot OF grain. III. Bratton had a
horse killed by lightning. Mr.. Pratt lost twenty
acres of wheat washed away louisville Bridge
over a branch OF Bull creek, is gone The saw-mil
| at Ten Mile Crossing was almost destroyed.
| Great damage has been done to crops in the bot
tomsf and perhaps will yet hear OF further loss Of
life Had Il occurred few hours earlier, 1t would
have been marked by fearful loss or life.