The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1874-08-13
THE PITTSBURGH CATASTROPHE.
Few Of the Thrilling Incidents De.
veloped By the Flood.

The following are few among the
many thrilling incidents that might be
related of the late flood at Pittsburgh
and Allegheny City, Pa. Mr.. c. V. Cole,
one of the members of the firm of G.
Hoeveler s. Co., whose glue works were
entirely wrecked, states that when the
flood of water began to descend no one
had any idea that the flood would reach
the great proportions which it assumed.
Mr.. Cole, who during the storm stood
outside of his dwelling, located just in
the rear of the hill at the upper end of
the glue works, says that the hill had
the appearance of immense sheets of
water, as outlined on the opposite bank
when lighted up by the continuous flashes
of lightning. When the great clouds Of
water rushed down the run he likened
the sound produced to the roaring of
Niagara Falls.
Mr.. Cole described the incidents at
tending the destruction of the dwelling
occupied by Mr.. Aug. Renkauf and the
drowning of little Emma, aged three
years, and Mary Renkauf, aged one year,
and the nurse girl, Miss Mating, aged
fourteen years. When the flood began
MIR. Renkauf was visiting his father on
Spring Garden Run. Mrs. Renkauf
went to her front door to ascertain the
extent of the flood, and upon opening it
the water rushed in in great volume,
and was soon several feet deep. A num-
Der of articles of furniture were jammed
up against the door leading to the Sec
ond story, where the children were. She
found that she was unable to get up the
staircase, and then tried to get to the
rear of the house, if possible, to save the
sleeping ones by the upstairs window.
She tried in vain to rouse them. As she
passed out of the front door the side fac
ing the Allegheny River fell out, carry
ing her with it. She was swept down
the river about 100 yards, and was
caught ON the top of some Of the debris
of the glue works. She clamored over
this q distance of fifty feet, and had
to wade from that point to
the shore, q distance of about
twenty yards, in water waist deep. Her
calls for assistance were responded to
by several men who happened to be in
the vicinity, and did what they could in
enabling her to reach the shore. She is
in delicate health, and the courage which
she displayed was remarkable. During
the time that she was being swept away,
Mr.. A. V. Cole with his brother Isaac
went to the rear of the house, by means
of private lane leading past it, and by
shouting at the top of their voices en-.
deavored to awaken the children, who
were imprisoned in the upper story of
the dwelling. The roar Of the torrent
drowned his voice, and he was unable to
make himself heard above the tempestu.
GUS element. He and his brother then
picked up clumps of earth and threw
them at the window, but just then the
house was swept off and disappeared in
the flood, and the three children were
crushed to death in its crumbling ruins.
Their mangled bodies were found about
$50 yards below the scene of the heroic
efforts for their rescue.
Another thrilling incident which &C
CURED in this vicinity was the miracu-
lous escape of the Waterman Of the glue
works. He thought the food was small
affair, and started upstairs to get beyond
the reach of it, just as there was about q
foot of water in the lower story. He
had scarcely reached the second story
when the stairs gave way and he was
compelled to jump down to . coal house
which stood in the vicinity of the boil
ers. Out of this he crowded through an
aperture while the water was up to his
chin. Fortunately he secured . plank
and with that made for the shore, which
he reached in safety.
The sudden rise Of the waters in Butch
ers' Run is well illustrated by some Incl
dents related by . German family who
resided in stone dwelling opposite
Hoeveler's glue works. The husband
told his wife to proceed to the cellar and
obtain some kindling for the cook stove
as he desired to 60 to work early OF
Monday morning. His wife placed thu
wood in the stove, but by the time Oh,
had completed her work the water haS
reached the floor. She notified her hus
band of the fact, and suggested tina
they had better vacate the house, .
the flood threatened to destroy it
The husband, who had retired
jumped out Of the bed into the waite
knee-deep, and with his wife proceede,
to get the children out Of the upper.stor,
window ON the ground in the rear. Ate
they had accomplished this the husban'
returned to the bedroom to get som
clothing out Of his wardrobe, bu