The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-05-25
THE VALLEY OF DEATH.
Another Letter From Another Cor
respondent in Reference to the
Terrible Disaster in MsFsachuseits.
WnLtLniBuRoH, HAArsumE Co., MASS.
May %, 1874

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WnLtLniBuRoH, HANrsumE Co., MASS.
May %, 1874.
Editor OF the IntellIgeueer:
Your readers have long ere this learned
Of the Mill River Valley disaster, and the
terrible destruction Of lie and property
attending the breaking away Of noun.
tain reservoir, sweeping valley for ten
miles, destroying four manufacturing vii
lagos with a loss Of about 200 lives, and
property to the amount OF at least 81 ,000,.
900. l first heard Of the awful calamity
in New York, while on my way to hear
Mr. Beecher preach, and I then formed
the resolution Of visiting the valley Of
destruction. Leaving New York on the
18Th inst. by the 10 A. NJ. train, l came as
far as New Haven, and stopped of in
that city to visit friend In Yale College,
thinking that could reach the NIL River
Valley on the evening express, but in
this was disappointed, and consequently
remained over night, which threw me be.
hind one day, but as 1t was q very rainy
day l didn't much regret my delay. On
yesterday Tuesday, morning 1 made a
fresh start, and without any detention
reached the scene Of the flood about mid.
day, and have completely satisfied my
curiosity to look upon a valley Of de-
struction, misery and death, wrought SO
suddenly aud SO awiully. The route
from New Haven to the Valley Is via
Springfield and Northampton, by the
Connecticut River R. r, through beau.
titul and fertile valley, with the Berkshire
Bills 10 the right, the highest Of which IL
Mount Tom, q place OF summer resort
On the left Is small range OF the Green
Mountains, losing, however, their noun.
tain dignity, and dwindling away into
hills little larger than their neighbors on
the opposite side Of the river.
Amherst College Is but six miles from
Northampton, which Is evidence that the
communities destroyed were not wanting
in facilities for education and culture;
and have observed in conversiDg with
the people residing here that they are
better educated than rural districts usu-
ally are, and there Is every indication
thst thrift and general prosperity pre-
vailed before the sad visitation. Asyoul
readers have had no doubt full report
Of the disaster, shall not attempt 10 re-
late tho story Of the flood in full, but
briefly describe the villages and surround
ing country, and give such incidents aE
may not have reached you.
Mill River Valley Is In Hampshire coun
ty, Mass. It's length from the broker
reservoir TO the Connecticut river Is Ter
miles; It's width hardly entities It to tht
name valley, as It will average no mort
than q quarter Of mile. This will some
what account for the great force will
which thereleased waters poured through
the villages, destroying everythingln thell
madness. The valley, so.called, Is really
gorge with q range Of hills on eithel
side, and to SEQ 1t one can imagine tht
possibility Of such food as has occurred
have traversed on foot the entirt
length Of the valley-irom the reservoir
to Florence, and have beheld such evi'
dences Of destruction as I never agar
expect to see, As write / hear It called
out that another body is found very
near where 1sit Igo 70 see ifit be true
| have Just looked upon the body. It L
that OF Frenchmsn, and go horribly
mangled that but a glance was all coulC
endure. l have heard many sad tales o
woe from the lips OF the sufferers, but d
not care 10 draw upon your tender feel
ings oy relating them. I have converset
with husbands who haye lost wiVe.
and children, wives who have lost hus,
bands and children, children who hayl
lost father and mother, brothers and sis.
ters. Atine looking man said to me thi
morning, II have lost my dear wife ant
all my property, ! have nothing LETT II
this world, but faith In God and q hop
for Heaven Ayoung man named Hill
who was Q ookkeeper In the brass works
and who lost everything In the shape Q
property but pocket knife said TO me
aThis knife Ia all that Ia LEFT me, II wa
Igiven me by my mother who perished i
the hood.n he turned away TO conces
his tears, and / TO conceal mine. Ayoun
,, lady was Just pointed out TO me who ha
lost father, mother, sisters and an onl
brother. Her lot Is o lonely one, but ther
are many such.
STORY OF THE GATE KEEPER,
t A little below the reservoir on th
western bank, but out Of range Of d
flood, stands small, dismal looking hous
! IN which lives the gate keeper. This
! George Cheney, q man Of about thirty
. five years, apparently an honest and we
meaning individual OF little educatio
3 and no more than ordinary intelligenc
He has held the place nearly three wear
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