Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-07-30
THE PITTSRURG. FLOOD.

on the 9th says;
! Accounts of the terrible flood which has
deluged nearly all the suburban sections of
this city, as they come in show that the disas-
ter is far greater than was at first supposed
| 1t is now thought that the loss of life will
reach fully 200i persons, and: that the loss of
property will be proportionately large. The
Evening Chronicle, in its o'clock edition,
places the loss OF life at l42, and the names
of missing parties are continually coming in.
The extent of territory damaged is not less
than twenty to twenty-five miles in diameter,
and how the main portion of the City of
PIttsburg lying as it does in the centre of
this circle, escaped further injury appears
almost miraculous. A prevailing theory is
that the disaster was caused by some kind of
waterspout. A gentleman who watched the
storm from point few miles down the
river, where there was little rain, says that
by the ftful flashes of lightning he could see
a huge, inky, black nel-shaped cloud which
| overhung the city, the narrow end being low
est, while the dark parts emitted almost con-
tinuous flashes of lightning. 1t is almost I'M
possible for any one not familiar with the ge-
ography of the locality to form an idea OF this
disaster, or how it could possibly have ot-
Cured. The main city of Pittsburg, as it
rises gradually from point formed by the
junction of two rivers, has many gulches IN
certain localities, which under flood Of this
description are liable to do great damage, and
the part known as the hill region is frequent
" liable to suffer from local foundations.
The damage here, however, is at this time
light compared with other localities strictly
suburban. The north bank of the Alleg any,
upon whose hillsides and in whose valleys the
upper portion of the city is situated, has, ac-
cording to all accounts, been the scene OF the
greatest disaster. The work of destruction
commenced at point about two miles north
of the central portion Of Allegheny City.
Butchers Run Valley, at its mouth, is proba-
bly, between 400 and 800 feet wide, and at the
point where the work of destruction COM
menced it is not more than 80 feet wide.
Between Forth avenue and this northerly
point numerous ravines open into Butchers
Run Valley Along this run the houses were
built directly over the natural water course,
culverts being made and used in part as foun-
dations for dwellings. The line of destruc
ton followed the water course to the river,
and involved an immense 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 it seemed as if the heavens had
opened and the water came down as if dis
charged from immense pipes. The volume
was so great that the valley was filed with
raging torrent The frame dwellings, stables,
and ughter-houses gave way like pipe stems
debris from the wrecks was swept down along
the line of the plank road, the weight being
augmented every moment. In the district
lying west of Chestnut street and north of a
line parallel with North avenue, the waters
rose to a height OF fully twenty feet. In some
places occupants of dwellings were unable to
escape in time to save their lives. In many
places the force of the water rent structures
into splinters. After taking away a large
number of fences and out-houses, the flood
struck the dwelling occupied by Henry NAL
tirn, with his wife and two children, all of
whom were drowned. The next house was
that of John Winkler, who finding the flood
endangering his farm and stock. started out
with bis brother to the horses. Mrs. Wink
Ter remained in the house, and in less than
five minutes all the lower rooms were filled
with water. Mrs. Winkler called for assist
ance, but before it could reach her the build
ing gave way and she was engulphed.
Further southwark was the dwelling of John
Shearine. As soon as the water commenced
rising Shearing moved his family, consisting
of his wife and twin boys, aged four years, to
the hillside, in what he deemed to be place
of safety. The children were sleeping
soundy, but one of the little fellows was
aroused by the storm, and rolled over the en-
bankment into the angry food below. The
body was recovered this morning.
The extensive glue works were next to sue
cumb to the action of the water, and were
totally destroyed.
A short distance below these works was a
small dwelling occupied by August Rykoff and
family, consisting OF his wife and two children.
They were unaware Of the destruction " hiph