New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-07-14
TIE PROGRESS OF THE FLOOD.

PULL PARTICULARS OF THE DIsAsTER-THE TOTAL
loss ESTIMATED AT S350,0O0-THE loss OF TIE
RAILROAD COMPANY ABOUT S175,0O0-CHEsTER
DAMAGED MORE THAN THE OTHER TOWNS.
SPRINGFIELD. Mass, July l3.-Middlefeld Brook
upon which the reservoirs were built, is small
stream emptying into the Wesfeld River at Middle
field Switch about % miles west of Springfield. on
the Boston ald Albany Railroad The first reservoir
that burst was just above the little village of Blush
Hollow, about four miles from the Wesheld River
the second was two miles below From these two
reservoirs. covering together IS acres the flood
rushed through the narrow valley destroying mills
and bridges and stripping the earth bare to the
rocks. At the junction of the brook and river the
waters struck the stOneaIched railroad bridge across
highway and river at Middlefeld switch, and there
tore for itself wide passage, throwing down the
heavy masonry and scOoping away the road bed for
a considerable distance. 1t demolished stone
bridge and somewhat crippled two wooden bridges
by undermining their abutments, and at various
points rising over the railroad track, washed out
the road bed.
Reaching Chester, the waters carried away one
wooden bridge in the center Of the village more or
less damaged the foundations, dams and stock of
several manufacturing establishments, and quite
ruined many fields and gardens. Below this village
the foods chief damage, outside of that to the rail
road was the carrying away of bridge at Rolling
Brook and then it gradually lost its force and power
Of mischief.
As the food rushed through the lower dam its
6rst obstruction was large two-stOry frame build
ug situated on the west side of the main street;
hut on the east side of the stream, only
about 90 rods below the broken dam, owned
by s. U. Church & Brothers and occupied by
Alfred Brown. carpenter, in the employ of the
church Bros. The food struck this building with
great force, tearing out a large part of the lower
story and moving the building short distance down
The street, where it left in nearly ruined
condition Mr.. Browns loss is about
$1,000 Directly IN the rear of this building was a
new dam, which although not swept away, was
considerably damaged, while the bulkhead was
speedily demolished leaving no trace of its former
existence The next building on the west side of
the street was large threestOry, nearly completed
wooden structure intended as a wooden mill, and
also owned by the Church Brothers The force of
the waters being already somewhat broken, this
structure was only slightly injured, but valuable
pile Of lumber near by carried off, Two small
buildings each one story in hight used as securing
aid dyeing houses, were next carried away, not
vestge of them being left The destruction of the mill
property of the Church Brothers was concluded by
the carrying away of a saw-mill and dam, situated
some distance below the village, and the wreckiag
Of the east-eud of the woolen-mil, a fine wooden
structure 10 by 40 feet and four stories
high, situated inst below the ruined dam. An l.
90 the wooden mill GO by - feet, used as a gCging-
ROOM and filled with cloth, partly destroyed,
while one-story dye-hOuSe 50 by 30 feet was left
in ptIabc condition
Considerable miscellaneous property situated on
the east side of the street and owned by the Church
Bros WAS also destroyed. the first building being
double house situated near the lower dam.
Il,
with great velocity but for some unaccountable
reason the building remains, although in a nearly
ruined condition. Next below this a storehouse,
containing lumber, carpenters TOOLS &c, which
was swept away, as also two small
storchouses containing farmers tools. wagons, and
also quantity of flock. Farther down the street
a variety store containing also the Office of the
lnn which, though partially inundated, was
not greatly damaged. In the rear of Sum
ucr n Church's residence, which was
left unframed, was his barn and carriage
house which, with carriages and harness were car
lied away. From here the food washed through
narrow gorge doing little damage until ii reached
Middlefeld Switch. The flood, before leaving
Mddlefeld, burst around the sides of the
wooden dam belonging TO the new shoddy
mill of John c. West. jr of Pittsfed, and carried
away a portion of the raceway. A house occupied
=,
even to his gold watch. 1t is thought that $500
viii cover the loss here
from here the torrent wound along the Westfeld
RIVER damaging the railroad, which crosses the
river q times between there and Chester. A mag
llnccnt stone arched bridge at Middefed
Switch was totally destroyed and three
other bridges; the Toad-bed was washed
away and travel entirely interrupted 1t is i'm
possible to the loss of the railroad at less than
$4,000. The interruption TO travel will form
serious loss in view of the approaching races at
Saratoga. 1t is thought that this damage can be
overcome in four days. but this is inside estimate.
At Chester the food carried away three highway
bridges and burst the dam Of the Emery Company.
Three small factories were damaged but not seri-
ously. Considerable loss was suffered by the farm
in the vicinity, alone losing hay valued
at $4,000. Here the water seemed to lose its force,
and no further damage was done.
The entire damage by the flood is roughly est
mated at $4,000, aud the estimate is a moderate
one. not including the throwing of persons out of
employment and the enforced idleness of the place
No loss Of life is known TO have happened All
persons who were in the course of the stream were
enabled by the timely warning TO avoid the danger
Not even a marrow escape is reported. The chief
loss is 10 the railroad company and TO the operatives
who will be thrown out Of employment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TWO RESERVOIRS.
BOTH CONSTRUCTED IN An IMPERFECT MANNER
uSEAsINEss FELT REGARDING ONE OF THE DAMS
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. July 13.-The lower and
larger of the two reservoirs that gave way built
In 1889, 10y Uriah Church 81 Sons and VIM. ID.
Blush, by constructing dam across the valley on
the line of the highway, between Mlddlefeld and