The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-05-21
NEW YORK.
Ths Reservoir Disaster.

OF which on Saluruayt "as o'senoso
with such terrible consequences to
every body, they descended to the gap
and a careful examination was made OF
the bottom, the walls, the milling and
surroundings The contractor, Bss-
sett, taking a copy OF the specifications
contained in the original contract, under
which the dam had been built, called
the attention OF the members to
what he termed the evidence OF their
fulfillment and the consequent exonera-
ten from blame of himself and those
who acted for him. Colonel Wilson,
OF Boston, the engineer who had con-
sructed the Hartford reservoir twenty
years ago, and who had accompanied the
committee as an expert, remarked
This dam was not built according TO
the specifications OF that paper in your
hand" The Colonel then proceeded to
point out that the specifications had
called for the building Of the iounda-
ton wall ct least three feet below the
bottom OF the reservoir, whereas it was
built only upon that bottom, between
which and the wall the water was
found to pass easily; leak was created
and eventually spread the latter against
the embankment protector. This wall
was forty feet narrower than the cons
tract specified it should have been, and
in short, as Colonel Wilson said, the
specifications have been entirely dsre-
garded and accident was inevitable.
The only wonder is that 1t did
not occur before. The terrible neglect
and gross ignorance displayed
in constructing the dam were criminal,
and in its recent evil consequences
murder. In talking of the event Col
Wilson said he could not regard it as
an accident because the dam could not
hold any body of water in as the earth
at the bottom and under the wall was
slowly but surely washed away daily.
Joel Hayden said that such
had ever - been his father S
opinion, and so strongly fixed
in this belief had he been that he issued
standing orders in his foundry for the
hands to leave the building the moment
they heard the word reservoir" shout.
ed in the street and take refuge on high
ground. o. G. Spellwan, the overseer
of the reservoir, and formerly secretary
and treasurer OF the association by
which the dam WAS built, was protected
in his house Monday night and last
night by large number of special
poice and militia. Ga Monday evening
an Irishmsn formerly in the employ of
Spellman informed him that
the Irish and Canadians had
determined to avenge the
loss of homes and families by lynching
him, and during the night he felt the
need OF the police and military. At
the first streak of dawn the villagers
were at work among the ruins, and as
the morning advanced parties Of men
continued to arrive from the surround
ing townships, so that by seven o'clock
thousands were clearing and carting Oft
the debris all tn. way from Northamp-
ton Meadows to williamsburg. Every
eve sought a body, and twenty-one
corpses were found. These bodies
were difficult to recognize because de-
composition had set in and they were
much disfgurei by bruises and totally
nude. At Leeds nothing WAS done ex-
cept to look for the dead under the
rubbish, which, experienced men say,
will moi be cleared away even at the
present expeditions rate in less than a
week. At Haydenville, the day was
commenced in business like manner.
Joel Hayden engaged his hands and
all who vera able and willing to earn q
dollar in picking up bis patterns
aud brass ware, several thousand dol.
lars worth of which was stored in his
out-houses and barns before noon,
To get at these, Hayden finds it neces-
sard to alter the course OF the stream
and has men planning new course
tor it, beginning on the north side OF
the former site Of the brass foundry and
running north through the valley. An
incident OF extraordinary canine affec-
ton has Just come to light in conuec-
ton with the awful calamity. Colonel
Joel Haydeu, one OF the sons of the
late lieuteuaut-governor, has dog OF
the St, Bernard kind. He has for a
long time been the village iavorite and
pet Of the school children. Ira Bryant,
father of Mrs. Col. Hayden, over sixty
wears OF age, was a great favorite of the
dog. Bryant was lost in the disaster.
Sunday afternoon the dog started out
and followed the sesrchers for bodies in
the meadow lands. HIS was seen on
Millers flats, paving in the sand, and
when visited, it was found he had dug
quite deep in the dirt which disclosed
the lower portion OF a mans limbs
The next halt hour revealed the form
Of BRYANT. Diligent search had been
made for these remains, but it seemed
hardly possible that any human being
could have fonnd the imbedded corpse.
Williamsburg and Skinnerville stand
stilI not a bit OF work other than that
necessary in searching for the dead
being in progress. Even some OF the
manufacturers, to whom maj sjorlty o'
the people look for an incently.
to activity, shut themselves up II
their houses and fret. Mr. Skinner, 1t II
stated, has sigDifed his intention not tt
rebuild his factory, aud Mr.. Speamar
certainly said he would not erect HE
Still ali the leading men OF Williams
burg are not so craven as to weld t'
this blow without making an attemp
at the re-establishment OF that onc'
pretty AMI thriving town. They ST
ready to strike off the apathy OF grie
now psralizing them, ami to exer
themselves mantully if the Legislator
and large cities will only aid them.
Over $4,000 have been raised In thi
city for the relief OF the sufferers BY th