Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-05-18

work except to get the contract.
The Massachusetts, Disaster.
New York, May lS-SpeciaIs from the
scene of the Massachusetts food state that Cd
the west bank of Mill river is the Goshen re-
servoir, larger by nearly half than the
bursted Ash6ed, to which it has always been
reckoned inferior in strength. 1t is owned by
the same men whose own fortunes, their own
reservoir has just wrecked. The people OF the
valley sent up Saturday three messengers III
quick succession to get the gateway OF the
Goshen reservoir opened and left open till the
dam could be examined and strengthened If ne
cessary. The gate keepers refused to open 1t
and finally Saturday night an agent OF the wat
er company, went up in person and compelled
reservoirs one above the other in the same
line, the lower and larger II years old and the
latter new. The people Of Mill river valley
have promised to themselves that no want OF
care shall make possible such another over.
wheming disaster At seven clock in the
morning the great bell of the Northampton
old church tolled solemnly, calling the people
together to search for missing bodies. Notices
were placed in conspicuous places which read,
"AlI able bodied men are summoned to the re-
lief of the people Of Mill river valley Ac-
cordingly Maine street was filled with men and
youths eager to join 10 whatever expedition was
a-foot. Lieut.. Gov. Talbot was there and aid.
ed the local authorities 10 organizing relief
train full of men which left Northampton de
pot al c. 80 o'clock for Florence Leeds aud
Haydeuvle. Wagons and every kind of
vehicle were pressed into similar service. Par.
ties started out on foot aud worked aloug the
woods skirting the river and railroad. Rumors
as to the dams having leaked for the last week
or two are rife, but it is also stated that they
had been inspected on Friday and reported AL
right. The man who took up the cry at Hay
denvie aud carried it to Leeds was Myron Day.
A little before eight o clock while all the peo-
pie of this place were just goiug to work OF
Flushing their breakfasts, their attention was
attracted by the appearance OF Myron Day
from Haydenville on horse shouting wildly,
1.-THE reservoir is broken save yourselves, for
a food is at hand" He rushed for the bridge
over the dam and had got about half way over
it when the roar of the coming waters was
heard by the Inhabitants, who by this time
stood at their door-steps. He dashed toward
Florence and the people looked north toward
north dam and saw there what seemed to them
as the crest of an enormous moving wood pile
fifty feet high. They knew what it was aud
rushed wildly up the slopes to safe quarters.
Their houses we're left just as they stood with
tables spread for breakfas and children getting
ready for school. La less than three minutes
the stone dam given away and the great column
of water laden with frame houses, pianos, sew
ing machines, boilers, iron wheels, huge grist
mill machinery, cows, sheep, poultry and hu-
man beings from Haydenville plunged into the
valley of Leeds Measures for immediate re-
lief have been instituted at Haydeuvie. Mr..
Hayden sent out notice to rebuild his works
and offers to employ all those who ever work.d
tor him, and as many more as are needy IN
clearing away the debris and making prepare
tons for the work. Back wages will also be
paid and persons 10 want of immediate aid will
receive it FROM Hayden, Grre 4 Co., by ap-
plying to their. book keeper. aid is freely ex
tended by all the townships in the vicinity and
the mayors of New Haven, Springfield and
Watertown have rendered any assistance that
is asked of them. WATERFOWL places the residue
of the Chicago fund at the disposal of the sut-
ferers.
The living are, and will be amply provided
for. Meanwhile all popular anxiety is felt con-
corning the dead and missing who, 1t is dread
ed, will number far more than any one has an
ticipated heretofore. The people of North
ampton believe there are dozeus OF French
CaQaQlauS uOG kuOWu III tHC ulslilCe lol
auy length Of time, buried under the ruins
at Leeds and Haydenvie aud the Mead
ows between. Hundreds of acres are cover
ed with remnants of the sad villages which
once adorned the tract of country running eight
miles through Hampshire county and now
barren waste of land, stones, ruios and corpses,
Ladies and children in Northampton are con-
tributiug to the wants of the living by send
ing garments to the committee at the town
hall. 10 devise further aid meeting to-day
will be held at Town Hall, aud this morning
again trains full of men were to be sent to
clear away and build up, temporarily at
least, on the ruins OF the villages. One Of the
heroes of the occasion is Collins Graves, milk
man, who Was at the livery stable 10 Williams
burg when gate keeper Cheney was trying TO
get some one to spread the news below.
To SuSDend.