The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-03

pants OF the dwellings gave little heed 20 tAe rush.
ing torrent believing that their strongly constructed
brick ana stone dwellings, would resist the force OF
the waters. Bur their safety was by no means GER
tain, for about dusk the residence OF Mr.. Webb,
containing seven inmares, commenced 10 totter.
Cries Tor help besou2ht assistance and rope, with
running loops for baskets were stretched to the
house and the persons rescued from their imminent
peril.
About eight r. VI. the river commenced 10 pour
through shenandoah CITY, AS the upper portion OF
iiarpers Ferry is termed, with resisess force, and
house after house was engulied with It's inmates.
whose cries as they realized their fearful fate were
truly agonning. Strenuous efforts were made 10
render assistance, but without avail and thirty
two human beings are known to have
persisted. shenandoah City Is now Il mass OF ruins.
covered with the mud aud slime OF the river NOT Il
single house remains standing. Hcrrs Island, on
which situated the extensive mills OF the Har-
pers Ferry FIGURING Company, also felt the force OF
the torrent the mill race and dam being entirely
destroyed and every building excepting the
massive min being torn and shattered. Singu-
lar TO state no damage was apprchenaed by the
people OH TINS island until IL too late TO reach
the river bank, and during all the fearful hours OF
Friday night amid plichy darkness, with great
crashing against the buildings tearing them 10
drowning every other sound. these unlorlunatcs
remained Oh the island awaiting their fate. When
morning dawned assistance came aud All were
rescued.
The hood was also felt with fearful force In Shen-
andoah street in the main portion OF the town. Fiji
teen large buildings have been swept away and
about Ave or six persons are known 10 have been
lost or killed by the falling buildings In which they
recklessly remained, or swept away ard drowned.
Such an intense excitement vet prevails here that
it is extremely dinlcur to obtain the names OF those
lost, or any OF the particulars OF their deaths OF
the thtyeight persons reported lost twenty four
were colored. Among the whites were Mrs. Mills
and two children, Mrs. Carroll, Miss Oyerton, Mrs.
Shipes and Samuel Hough
The main stem OF the Baltimore anu Ohio Railroad
has sustained no damage n yet, but Immense dam
age has been done to the Winchester road along the
upper part OF Shenandoah well as at this point.
All the bridges OF the road connecting the ISLAND
tween shore and shore including one bridge OF three
spans Of eighty feet each are gone The water
approached 10 within three feet OF the lofty iron
bridge across the Potomac on which the Baltimore
and ONO Railroad crosses from Maryland To the
Virginia shore. InundattDg the hotel ana Adams
express office. and hooding the low section between
tue depot aud the main part OF the town. ana
cutting OF travel except ia boats.
The Inhabitants OF this place exhibited genuine
courage aud heroiSm in their Efforts 10 save the lives
ol their fellow beings. aud had 10 not been the
ready ingenuity and daring Of the rescuers IN estab-
ishing communication between the islands and the
shore the loss OF life would have been much heavier
The nood seemed To have spent liz greatest force
on Friday night ana yesterday This morning the
Joyous Information WAS hcraluad through the town
! thai the river had fallen considerably. and fur-
| ther danger need be apprclrnued. During to-day
the water las gone down fifteen feet. ana the ex-
posed surface AZ It recedcs gives evidence OF IT'S
frarIul power IN the remains or shattered buildings
| trees, &c.
The clergymen OF this town held a meeting to-day.
and after comparing notes az To tile losses oil life ard
especially OF property, some families being reduced
10 utter desttuion, prepared The following appeal
! for AID
'lhc public has already been appraised OF the great
calamity that has beallen the Deople Of ilarper's
Ferry and vicinity. In single day thiriy.siX OF oul
| citizens have lost their lives; more than
| fifty families have been rendered homeless. many
have lost their all white the business of the
| for'the present in complete ruin. After i've years
, OF destructive warfare and hve gears oil en- ire
| prostrailon OF business our town was Iusi
| beginning to reassert Itself when this fIesi
I calamity came upon rs. Those who eS
, cared the Hood are generally poor. but are dolnl
their utmost 10 care for the destitute. How ART
these homeless people to be clothed, fed and housed
! during the coming fall and winter For the answe
| we appeal 10 q generous public. Contributions ma
| be sent tn Edmond Chambers. Harpcrs Ferry. W
Va, Treasurer of the Citizens Relief Assocahon.'