Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-05-16
TELEGRAMS TO THE STAR,
REMARKABLE AND TERRIBLE DISASTER.
tleOd from the Breaking o. Three Reservoirs
Three Towns Swept Away and Grca, less Of Life.

BosroN, May ia disastrous food in Will
hamsburg. Mass, caused by the breaking away
OF the reservoir, occurred this morning. causing
considerable loss OF life. No particulars Ia ge
vet ben received.
Not Less Than n Hundred Lives Lost.
NRw HAVEN, CONN, May l6.-Three larg
r, ser,oirs about Williamsburg, Mass, which
were constructed to supply the manufsctorl- :
of Williamsburg, Leeds and Hsydsnville, gave
way at an early hour this morning, the water
sweeping every thing before it. The above
named towns were almost entirely DESTROYED.
including such buildings az Hayden, Gere \
Co.'S immense brick factory. A large loss a.
life Is reported, but IL is at present impOSsiblr
10 give any estimate, though IL Is probably not
less than one hundred.
Swept Away by the Torrent
fLoEhNCE, MASS, May l5.-rhe reservoir
above Williamsburg, Mass, broke this morning
loosening large volume of water, which car
ried away nearly every dwelling house in It,
course. Many lives were lost, but 50 great is the
excitement that il is impossible 20 get the ex tct
number At Leeds silk mandatory and but
ton shop were both carried away. The station
agent Of the y. II. X n. X. X. Co, with biz wife,
were both drowned. At the same place MANY
persons were swept down the stream. The
water is now falling, and IL is expected that in
sbeut three hours more correct and definite
particulars may be obtained. Several ladi 2
we're seen going down the stream, but 90 swift
was the current that they could not be recovered.
TwentS.three Bodies Recovered
HAYDRNvILLB, MASS, May ia large
reservoir, about four miles north of this
place burst about eight O'Clock this morning
and the water came rushing down the hills
earring everything before IL IL struck the
southeastern portion Of Williamsburg will age
about two miles north of this place, carving
away large number OF dwellings, thence 20
SkiDnerville, where he swept away Mr. SKIN
ner's large silk mills and his boarding ami
dwelling houses. Continuing on II struck the
large brass manufacturv of Messrs. Hayden &
Cue " Co, sweeping IL away in an iRstant
Large stones and machinery we're swept through
the main streets al a fearful rate, and well built
houses were instantly crushed, not giving the
inmates moments warning. The flood then
struck the village of Leeds. where a large
number of shops, dwellings, &c. were SWEPT
awav. The loss of life is very heavy whole
families, in some instances having been carried
away over dams, and were either killed or
drowned. 1t is impOss BILE At this time to give
the number of lives lost. Twenty-three bodies
so far have been taken out the rubbish on the
shore. Whole blocks OF tenement houses, filled
with women and children, were swept down the
stream. and all the inmates, of course. were
lost. At this hour II m. bodies are constantly
being brought in and laid IN the church; most
OF them can be recognized.
Another Account
SPRINGPIkLD, MASS, May l5-RepOrts of
the disaster in coDseq OF the breaking
away OF the reservoir at Goshen, Hampshire
coul ty, this morning, come in thick aud fast.
The damage TO property must amour: TO hun
0Teds OF thousands of dollars, while IL il imp1s-
sibie TO estimate accurately the loss of life.
Among those Drowned at Williamsburg was the
wife OF II. Z. Frost. At Leeds, Capt. Vaughn
and Mrs. Quigley ana daughter were in a house
which was swept away, and they were
drowned. Reports are coming in OF a
far greater loss Of life at Floren, e.
The Nonotuck silk cOmDany's works and
the Florence manufacturing company
works are damaged TO the extent Of SIS 600.
Conductor T.. NJ. Chandler passed over the road
early this morning with Lis train from Williams
burg for New Haven just ahead OF the flood that
swept away bis vile aud child. Engineer Rob-
eTts, who was TO start on the Dext tram, lost his
wife and child just below Williamsburg. The
flood swept away SINNERS factory with several
women operatives WHO had just begun work.
A Haydenvllle Samuel Miller lost his wife
and three children, ana Hayden, Gere * Ca
factory, including their Office and the HAYDEN
vile Savings Bank, with large amount al
funds, and also LOOMS Hotel were swept away
At Leeds Mr.. Warmers button factory wa.
swept entirely away, the water taking the
canal railroad bridge in its course. Ii stopped
at South street bridge. The morning train
from New Haven is stopped at East HAMPTON
The flood II now subsiding.