The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-07-31

PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY CITIES SUB
MERG ED-GREAT LOSS OBJ LIFE AND
PROPERTY-GRAPHIC DETAILS

a flood involving terrible loss of life and
great destruction of property occurred in
the cities of Pittsburgh and Allegheny on
Sunday night last During the day heavy
showers took place, but they proved only
preparatory to the deluge which came
down between and clock in the even
ing. For over an hour the rain fell in
sheets which fairly glistcned as the flashes
of lightning fell upon them il. quick success
sion. The water flowed down the streets
leading from the hill with fearful velocity,
the current being swollen also by water
from the side streets. The Union Depot
was inundated to the depth of from three
to four feet, rendering it impossible for the
Western trains.
DAMAGE TO STREETS.
Through all the streets leading from the
hill bOulderS were rolled from their posi-
tions and hurled to the level below, while
in many places great holes were ploughed
up III the streets. Some OF the cross streets
are almost impossible and will require large
expenditures for repairs, among them Hen
ry, Brady and Tustin streets, i'll the Fourth
Ward. Van Buran, MiltenGerger, Mercer,
Pride and Stevenson streets, in the Sixth
Ward, are also seriously cut up. Where
the new sewer on Forbes street was recently
built great bitches have been opened.
In the Thirty sixth Ward were felt the
most costly results of the delugc. The
down the hills into SawmiH Run raised
that stream with great rapidity, and sent
it whirling with tremendous velocity and
power to the river.
BRIDGES SWEPT AWAY.
\ large quantity of barrels and lumber
were carried away and fast piled up against
the new iron bridge ut Main street, which
did not long resist the fury of the assault.
The bridge by which Carson street crosses
4 llo ~ al,
and four other bridges were swept away.
So great was its force that large number
of barges with coal were torn from their
fastcningS and swept down the river. The
tOwboat b. i. W God was also carried away.
At Wood mill tremendous slide occur
red, covering tho rails Of the Pan-H Handle
road to the depth of about eight feet. y
train coming TO the city stuck fast there,
and was not dug out until nearly morning.
IL ALLEGHENY CITY
the flood was terrible. 4 sewer on Mad
ison avenue and Vista street burst, inun-
dating the whole upper part of the city.
In one tavern q number of persons were
seated when the water began to rise. A
man named Hess attempted IN escape by
swimming and was drowned. \ son of
Alderman Bolsten lost his life in vain en-
dcaver to save the life OF babe. \ young
lady, is years Of age, is also among the
victims. For more than a mile Oh Spring
Garden avenue the marks of destruction
are everywhere seen. Houses are thrown
together in heaps. Some twenty-five or
thirty slaughter houses ON the avenue we're
washed away. Many buildings that were
not totally destroyed are seriously dam
aged. The water. rising TO the height of
fifteen feet flooded the first floors of all the
houses, and in many I.Hccs the second StO-
rieS. Several houses we're swept into the
middle of the street and others carried OF
hundreds Of yards and shattered to pieces.
\ house containing two or three families
at the rear of Centre street, was destroyed,
and it is supposed all the inmates were
drowned.
APPALLING Loss OF LIFE.
Tho loss of life by the flood is appalling
Thirty-eight bodies have been recovered
in the Butchers Run District in Allegheny
City, and as many more persons are miss
ing who are supposed to have been lost.
The havoc at Woods Run is fearful.
The place was perfect sheet of water.
In Temperauceville and Sawmill Run
the elements made sad havoc. The fierce
torrents Of rain swelled every little tributa-
" Of Sawmill Run into a boiling stream,
and the accommodating waters rushed with
mad and irresistible fury down the valley
sweeping everything in THEN course. The
track of devastation is marked by the
wreck of dwelling, brid ges, immense heaps
Of stones, large piles of driftwood, and the
torn aud ragged sides Of the hills, where
the waters surged and gnawed into their
very vitals.
The extent of territory damaged is not
less than twenty to twenty-five miles in di-
ameter, and how the main portion of the
city of Pittsburgh, lying as it does, in the
centre of this circle, escaped further in
jury, appears almost miraculous.
The north bank of the Allegheny, upon
vi
upper portion of the city IS situated, was
THE SCENE OF THE GREATEST DISASTER
The work of destruction commenced at
point about two miles Forth of the CEN
tIal portion of Allegheny City. Butchers
Run valley at its mouth is probably be-
tween 400 and 500 feet wide, and at the
point where the work Of destruction com
mcnCed it is not more than $50 feet wide.
Between North avenue and this northerIy
point numerous ravines empty into Butch
eTS lam valley. Along this run the houses
were built directly over the natural water
course, culverts being made and used in
part rs foundations for dwellings. The
line Of destruction followed the water
course to the river, and involved an i'm
mense number of houses that were not on
the line of the culverts. When the rain
commenced falling but little apprehension
was entertained, but those who lived near
the head Of the valley state that suddenly
1t seems as though the heavens were open
ed and the water came down as if dis
charged from immense pipes. The volume
was so great that the valley was filled
with raging torrent. The frame dwell
ings, stables, and slaughter houses gave
way like pipe stems, and the debris from
the wrecks was swept Sown along the line
of the plank road, the weight being aug
mented every moment.
In the district lying west of Chestnut
street and north of line parallel with
North avenue, the water rose to height
OF lull twenty feet.
Al the corner of East street and Madison
avenue the water seemed to dcviate.
THE ONWARD COURSE OTs THF FIoOO
About block below the intersection of
Madison avenue and East street the torrent
again united, and swept down with re-
doubled violence to the low lands, embrac-
ing Concord, O'Hara, and a. portion of
Chestnut streets. The course of the flood
was probably 200 feet wide, and frame and