The New York herald., 1874-07-29
The STORY OF THE CALAMITY.

From the PittsDurg Despatch of yesterday.]
The weather sunday afternoon was shOwery,
but not portentious OF unusual elemental phe-
nomena. Citizens attended religious services as
usual, and when, about seven O'clock the rain
subsided and the declining sun tinted the passing
clouds with purple and gold, thousands crowded
upon the streets seeking pleasure or recreation,
discussing the events OF the day and the prospects
OF the morrow, which, alas! came not to many.
Thus fell the shades OF night the people retired to
rest and 'silence Drooded over still and pulse
less world" Between nine and ten O'Clock
frequent and vivid flashes OF lightning in
the northern heavens, accompanied by ter
rife peals OF thunder, presaged the coming dis
aster Momentarily increasing IN violence, IL was
were impossible. Water swept down the cutters
like roaring torrents. The broadcast avenues were
solid sheets OF water, while from the hill sides
poured deluge which tore rocks OF toms weight
from their foundations and gashed and scanned
the earth as II 1t had been torn by an earthquake.
Nothing could resist the awful violence OF rushing
seetning water. Substantial brick houses crum-
bled when IL struck them as II they had been made
oil sand. Frame buildings were lifted from their
foundations, borne along on the angry current,
and dashed 10 pieces against otner ouild-
iinss which valnly opstructed their course.
III some Instances foundations were
gnasInse sans ana & ana -ns sunk down IN
destruction, houses fences, bridges, Trees all go
Ing down before II, and combining TO constitute q
bP-
Tore anc such as 9e hope We may never look upon
again.
But great as was the destruction OF property liz
Is nothing In view OF the loss OF human lite. OF
those who retired 10 rest on sunday evening in
the stricken districts more than 100 were paid
corpses when tie morning hght broke upon the
dreadful scene. More tnan s.ore OF little chIl-
dren, VINO ca SUNDAY night kneeling at their
mOthers knee, Isped "Now lay down to
Sleep" realized the iu significance OF the petition
ere morning broke. their bodies wnen found being
In many Instances dreadiuy ois1gured. their dell.
cate limbs gashed and broken, tIsnr Deautilnl
tresses disheveled and intermixed with loathsome
accretions. on IL was spectacle TO make strong
men weep and sympathetic women tremDle and
turn, lalnting, away. In some cases entire faml
lies were swept from their beds, their houses fall.
ing In ruins upon them, and all lost together.
THE SCENE BARLY MONDAY MORNING
snrpasses the power OF language TO adequately
describe Thousands OF people, many OF whom hal
been Dereaved during the night nOcked 10 the
disaster to survey the ruin ana II possible TO
the bodies OF tneIr wives, husbands chil iren
or friends. Hundreds OF willing hands were
soon at work removing the debris, while hundreds
OF others, with bateu BREATH hoping against hope
Il hat their missing ones had escaped, awaited the
runs, and was recognized, men sobbed and women
walled, while the spectators stood with uncovered
heads as IL was borne away. There were many
such scenes. German, the bodies OF whose vile
and three children were recovered and taken 10
his house. manifested every symptom Of insanity,
mind. AT midday his condition had not improved,
aud 1t Is prODable tie irreparaple loss he
sustained has permanently unsettled mis-
mind Amid the desoation Whicn envelopes
the entire community at the ruin wrought
comes from the North Side such wal Of mourn.
ing and lsmentation tnst turnins nem the record
sf property dsstreyVd, toiSsul % 8 u Ne hasten 70