Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-04-06
LATER.


.5j L. M.-The dam has just broken.
WORCESTER, Mass, March 30.-Yhe
dam which to-day has proved defective
was originally constructed in 1868, aud
was rebuilt in 1871 under the supervision
OF the City Engineer, Phineas Ball. II Is
situated in the town of Leicester, three
miles west of the city hall Ihe reservoir
covers an area OF abovt 40 acres, and is
325 feet above the city hall.
Cherry Valley is thriving manufacture
ing village and part of Leicester, situa-
ted at the foot OF a large elevation Of land
aud within. quarter OF a mile from the
dam. l2J feet above, and'n this village the
havoc begun. Soon after nine o'clock
last night the residents OF Cherry Valley
were thrown into state OF fenZy by 4
report that the dam was breaking away
The people were all aroused and those
living on the low lands sought shelter
from neishbors residing on higher aud
safer ground.
Early this morning the city authorities
had large force at work striving to check
the flood of waters through the crevccs
uear the gate at the bottom of the dam.
and through the day good progress, was
apparently made, but it was only appar.
emily. The unseen and terrible force OF
the waters was concealed, but all the time
- a. "cihlAiE WIN titilltuuOus Cherry
and irresistible power. slowly but steadily
undermining what every one thought was
the most substantial dam in New England
At the same time when these repairs were
being made slucewiy was being cut
through the easterly portions OF the dam
IN order TO draw part OF the water away
IN different direction, and thus relieve
the pressure at the crevce. AT .. IN.
this trench was completed. but proved 10
be OF little service.
At this hour rumor reached the valley
that new openings had been discovered
near the gate, and by 5 p. IN. the rumor
was fully confirmed, when il was an
nounced in the valley that the workmen
and operators had left theit positions and
fled, and all Were warned of the impending
danger. \ few moments only were wasted
IN almost breathless silence when a specta
Gle of thrilling grandeur was before the
horror-stricken behoders
Down the mountain side the black WA
ter came rolling, laundering with ever
increasing volume and deafening noise
The first building TO fall was George w
Olney's fine house aud barn. the latter be-
Ing carried bodily away, and the house
twisted and torn out of shape James A.
Smiths WOODEN mill, with four sets of ma
chinery. was next attacked by the insatia-
Die torrent, and this too fell IA victim.
About three-fourthes ofthe entire mill fell.
ana with It's contents was washed away
Immediately below this. Albert E.
Smiths fine satinett mill, a wooden struct-
ure. was taken bodily away and soon
broke into fragments. Ashwarth and
Jones large wooden mill, being one of the
best in this vicinity. then received the
shock but escaped with comparatively
small injury, the boiler room and the rear
end OF the building only being carried
away Daring's mill escaped. Hunts
WOODEN mill received slight injuries in the
rear portion. This includes all the mill
losses in Cherry Valley. Eight or ten
dwelling houses were foated away and
dashed to pieces on the rocks.
No loss Of life is reported, as the previous