The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-08-17
Incidents Of the Pittsburgh Flood.

The Pittsburgh Chronicle says that
one OF the most remarkable circum-
stances connected with the great food
disaster is the fact that no list ol in
iurei appears. The lists, as published,
read almost invariably "Deal and
Missing" In the terrible rushing tor
rent which swept down the numerous
runs there was no middle ground, and
for those who came in its course there
was only one chance, "sink or swim. I"
Unlike q railroad accident, the food
leaves no list Of manned or wounded,
and along its raging pathway the only
issue is life and death.
When the food began Mr.. Renkauf
was visiting a brother on Spring Gar
den Run. Mrs. tRenkauf went TO her
front door 10 ascertain the extent OF the
food. Upon opening IL the water rush.
ed in in great volume, and was soon
several feet deep. A number Of articles
OF furniture were iammed up against
the door leading to the second story,
where the children were. She found
she was unable to get up the staircase,
and then tried TO get TO the rear Of tho
house, Il possible, to save the sleeping
ones by the up stairs windows. She
tried in vain 10 rouse them. AS she
passed out OF the front door the side
facing the Alleghany river fell out,
carrying her with II. She was swept
down tho run about one hundred yards,
and caught on the top OF some Of tho
debris OF the glue works. SHE Chamber.
ed over this q distance OF tiity feet, and
had TO wade from that point to the
shore, o distance Of about twenty yards,
in water waist deep. Her calls for as
sistance were responded to by several
men who happened TO be in the yicini-
ty, and who did what they could TO en-
able her TO reach the shore. She is in
delicate health, and the courage she
displayed was remarkable.
During the time that she was being
swept away, Mr.. A. v. Cole with his
brother Isaac went to the rear Of the
house by means Of o private lane lead
ing past IL, and by shouting at the top
OF their voices endoayored to awaken
the children who were imprisoned in
the upper story OF the dwelling. The
roar Of the torrent drowned their voices
and they were unable 10 make them.
selves heard. He and his brother then
picked up clumps OF earth and threw
them at the window, but Just then the
house was swept away and disappeared
in the food, and the three children were
crushed 10 death in its crumbling ruins.
Their mangled bodies were found
about 100 yards below tho scene Of the
heroic efforts for their rescue.
From Ben Mangold, q German, living
q short distance from the Schanapperts,
whose house proved the tomb OF fami.
ly OF six, we learned the particulars Of
this sad episode in the history Of the
Butcher Run tragedy. Schanapperts'
house stood Immediately below che oil
refinery Of Haldship & Co., and was
struck by the flood with force enough
to carry IL completely from Its founda-
tions on Madison avenue and hurl IL
down the torrent. NIangold, hearing
shrek after shrek rend the air, looked
out from On upper window. The doom.
cd house careened along within
stones throw. At the upper windows
stood poor schanapperts and wife, each.
holding aloft child over the raging
water and shrieking, "God Almighty
help usp "God save us 4" In o few
seconds the building reached the bend
where the flood turned south at the foot
OF Buena Vista street. Here 1t struck
against q slaughter house and dissolved
like q pile Of spray in the boiling water.
The shrieks were silent and only the
crash and grinding Of timbers were