New-York tribune., 1874-05-18
THE GATE. KEEPERS STORY.

HIS EXAM ALTON OF THE RESERVOIR ON SATURDAY
MoRNING-THE DISCOVERY OF THE BREAK-EF-
PORTS TO AVERT THE CNTAsTRoPHE-rHE FIRST
WARNING TO THE PEOPLE OF WILLIAMSBURG.
SpRINGFIELD, May IA representative OF The
Republican made careful study of the reservoir tho
origin of the disaster and the condition of the ruins.
in the course of which he had interview with tho
man who first discovered the trouble His report IL
follows:
little below the reservoir the western bank but
out OF range OF the food stands small, dsmaiookng
dwelling which lives the gatekeeper. Thls IL George
Cheney man of about 35 years apparently an honest
and we-meaning individual of little education. and no
more than ordinary intelligence. He has held the place
nearly three years, his duty being to attend TO
the opening and shutting of the gates, Keep
close watch OF the condition or the reser-
vor and report to his employers anything when seemed
TO demand attention 1t has been his practice upon rt
ing in the morning. out and inspect the CONDITION
OF affairs. He out usual on Saturday morning
about o'clock Everything looked all right The res
eryoir was AS full as had been for several days Tho
water was flowing out Of the wasteway the west side
past his house, the gateway having been closed for
fortnight There sign OF the impending caasro-
phe and Cheney returned to his house.
The family. including his wife, several chileren, and
his father sat down breakfast. They just finish
ing the meal when great noise was heard and the old
man. who was standing at OF the eastern windows
exclaimed For Gods sake, George look thereP
About forty feet length OF the bottom OF the reservoir
ON the east side, just beyond the gate shooting
down the stream. Cheney seems to have realized tho
situation and the emergency at once. With single oye
to the discharge Of his duty and almost, as ono
would infer from hearing him tell the story,
without stopping TO consider the danger involved,
he rushed down to gate and let the water full
head the hope that this might possibly AFFORD rehef
and avert the threatening danger This done, he paused
moment to investigate the condition OF the wall whero
the break had taken place glance showed him that s
could hardly fail few minutes TO give entirely.
streams OF water as large o mans arm were forcing
their way through, new ones appearing every momeat
The wall was constantly crumDling away. Its utter
downfall was evidently only question OF
minutes Cheney rushed up 10 his house anu
told his father he was going tho
village to warn the people Together they hurfieo 10
the barn. few rods below, and while Cheney was 'nio"
inc bridle upon his horse his father cut him stick
leaning upon his horses back and plying vigorously his
LASH he rodo at topmost speed down the road that
stirted the streams back TO Williamsburg covering tho
,hres miles, no thinks u minutes II was then about
1880 O'Clock.
Driving to the house Of Mr. spellman, who had gen
era charge OF the reservoir he summoned that gentle
man from his breakfasttable to startle him with
reservoir Is going" 1t but the nigh, before that
cheney had been talking with him about the reservoir
and both had agreed that everything looked all right
for the II is not strange, therefore, that spell
the man little scared" and to his startling announce
ment replied, "No. it can't be possible" But Cheney
quickly told him about the giving Of the earth and
tine streams running through, and con
yinced him that tho danger WAS most imminent. Tho
first duty to warn the people further down tnd
stream. Cheneys horse was exhausted, and Spellman
directed him 20 to the livery stable, where again
precious were lost IN convincing tho increuu
lous people that the messengers story could oe ac
Finally horse made ready, and fresh man sos
of TO notify the dwellers further down the stream.
| THE STORY OF THE GREAT CALAMITY.