New-York tribune., 1874-05-18


An inquest has been called for by some
of the residents of the immediate dis
trict and will be held. probably, beginning
tomorrow, the object being to find, if possible,
where the blame for the condition of the dam ought
to lie
The Springfield Union is authority for the state
ment that Gen. Edison OF Hadley will introduce a
bill in the Legislature tomorrow for the relief OF
the sufferers of Williamsburg and elsewhere.
The bill will provide for the rebuilding and re-
pairing OF roads and bridges destroyed by an appro-
priation from the State
THE NUMBER OF LIVES LOST PROBABLY IN EXCESS
OF l5O-A DETAILED ESTIMATE OF THE LOSSES
NOT YET POSSIBLE.
SPRINGFIELD, May l7.-The latest figures OF the
loss OF life occasiOned by the breaking of the Will
liamsburg reservoir make the total 144, divided as
follows between the three places: Williamsburg
10; Leeds, 40; Haydenyille, 35. These figures only
represent the persons whose loss is positively known
though the bodies of all have not yet been recovered
Dodies are constantly being found, and in some
cases those of persons not supposed to be lost so
ta IL seems perfectly safe to say that the total loss
OF life will exceed 150 if indeed it does not more
nearly approach 200.
THE LOSSES.
IL If utterly impossible as yet to give detailed
estimate of the losses. Aside from buildings de-
strOyed and damaged, bridges have been carried
away. roadsruned, and hundreds of acres of meadow
land rendered almost valueess. The total loss
must far exceed 81 100000. and will probably come
nearer S2,0OO,0O0. The following il n general esti-
mate of the losses in the several places:
At Wilamsburg-w II. Avonss, Touring mill swept
away $4,000 H. L. James, mill damaged and left with
out waterpower, $4,000; houses barns, etc, gone,
$4,000.
At skinnerville--w William SINNERS elk factory and
twelve tenement houses destroyed $4,000 other houses
and barns, $4,000
At Observation-Disclosures, Gere 4 CO.'S brass works,
savings bank buildings, and tenements swept away,
f25O0oOi Hayden Tobacco Company's mill carried on,
f,Ooo; Hayden Foundery and Machine Company g
works damaged 5000; other houses and stores $4,000
gas works, 5000.
At Leeds-Nonotuck silk Company, dam broken and
several buildings and houses carried away, 25ooO I;
George Warmers button factory destroyed and three
tenements 100000; other houses, barns, &c, 10000
At NorthamptOn-Emery Wheel Co, damage $4,000.
At Florence-rhe Florence Manufacturing Company's
Brush Factory, damage to stock 5000; Nonotuck SILK
Company's silk Mill partially torn away, and stock
damaged 5000.
The damage to the town OF Williamsburg by the
loss of bridges. great destruction of roads, and the
complete ruin of the best meadow lands is at present
ncaculable but 1t is such to seriously cripple the
town. Three bridges were carried away IN the
village of Williamsburg; one wooden aud two iron.
In the village of Leeds one bridge was taken
off, and in the village of Florence one
iron and two wooden bridges were swept
away. Hayden, Gere & Co. Of Haydenvllle,
one of the most important firms losing their establish
ments, will have card in The Springfield Republican
of tomorrow morning, saying that they intend to
rebuild their factory at once and advertising Tor
workmen for that purpose. Their employees Will be
paid as soon as tho accounts be made up and the
firm offers aid TO those of their workmen In need
of il.