Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-05-18
KILOGRAMS TO THE STAR
THE RESERVOIR DISASTER.
Terrible scenes I'm MIL River Val
ley-Relfef for the SurvivOrs-ThriI-
ling Accounts of the Great Calamity.

u
ling Accounts Of the Great Calamity.
NEW YORK, May Is Specials from the
scene OF the Massachusetts food state that on
the west ban II Mill river is the Goshen reser-
voir, larger by nearly one half than the bursted
Ashfield rsser weir, to which it has always been
reckoned inferior in strength. It is owned by
me same men whose own fortunes with their
Own reservoir have just been wrecked. The peo-
pie OF the valley sent up Saturday three MESA
yes in quick success on TO get the gateway Of the
Goshen reservoir opened and left opened till the
dam could be examined and strengthened il
necessary. The gate-keeper refused to open it,
and finally Saturday night an agent OF tue
water company went up in person and COM
PEELED him TO let OFF the water. Here there are
TWO reservoirs, one above the other in the same
line, the lower and larger u years Old, and the
latter new. The people of Mill river valley
have promised themselves that no want Of care
shall make possible such another over whelmtng
disaster.
THB woRH OF RELIEF.
At seven O'Clock in the morning the great bell
IL the Northampton Old Church tolled solemn
~, calling the people together TO search foy
missing bodies. Notices were placed in con-
spicuous places which read, CAN able bod ed
men are summoned 10 the relief of the people
of Mill river valley" Accordingly Main
street was flied with men and youths eager to
join whatever expedition was afoot. Lieut..
Governor Talbot was there and aided the local
authorities in organizing q RELIEF train full of
men which left Northampton depot at 7.3D
O'Clock for Florence, Leeds, and Haydenyille
Wagons and every kind Of vehicle were pressed
and worked along the woods sk!rting the river
and railroads. Rumors as TO the dams having
leaked for the last week or two are rife, but T.
Is also stated that thew had been inspected on
Friday and reported ''all right"
THE MAN WHO TOOK ZIP THE CRY
At Hsydenville and carried it to Leeds was
Myron Day A little before eight O'Clock
while ali the people of this place WEI just going
70 work or finishing their breakfast, their atten-
ion was attracted by the appearance Of Myron
Day from Haydenville on q horse shouting
wildly "The reservoir ,s brokenl save your
selves, for a food is at hand" He rushed for
he bridge over the dam, and had got about
half wsy over IL when the roar Of the coming
waters WAS heard by the inhabitants, who hI
this time stood at their doorsteps. He dashed
toward Florence, and the people looked north
toward North dam and saw there what sesmed
70 them ss the crest OF an enormous moving
wood pile 30 feet high. They knew what it was
RUSHED WILDLY UP THE SLOPES
20 safe quarters. Their houses were left iust as
they stood, with tables spread for breakfast and
Lhree minutes the stone dam had ri ven away
and the great columns OF water, laden with
frame houses, pianos, sewing machines, boilers.
iron wheels, huge grist mill machinery, cows
denvilie plunged into the valley OF Leeus.
MEASURES FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF
have been instituted at HAydenviIle. Mr.. Hay.
Den sent out notice 70 rebuild his works and
offers to employ all those who ever worked for
him, and as many more - are needy, In clear
ing away the debris and making preparations
for the work. Back wages viii also be paid,
ana persons In want Of immediate aid viii re-
eeiye It from Hayden, Gere s. Co, BY applying
ali the toSnps e ne 1,oinsy and che may
ors Of New Haven, Springfield and Wxteetown
have rendered any assistance that q asked OF
them. WATERFOWL places the residue Of the
Chicago fund at the 8nPosal Of ne oR9ersrs