Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-04-08

| " fhther, mothor ana Two children, The
mother and one child we're instantly crushed
TO death but tho others were rescued In an
exhausted condition. A man aud . little girl,
named Annie Curtis, wero blown from canal.
boat In the Hudson. near Hoboken, aud the
girl WAS drowned, She belonged In western
New York. Tho European papers. CON-
menting on the czar's contemplated retire.
ment, say he Ia seriously Ill. go. The revolu-
tionists In Mexico hold al the important points
in Hidalgo excepting Psohuos and Tulancingo,
Foreigners In the country generally favor the
revolution. ,.., Republican State conventions
were held In Pennsylvania, Ohio and Vermont.
Tho first declared for Gov. Hartranft for Presi-
dent, Ohio for Gov. Hayes, and Vermont left
tho delegation free. The platforms all do
clared for reform, the punishment Of offenders.
non-sectarian schools, and for economical gov
ernment, and the Ohio and Vermont platforms
for specie payments.
Massachusetts has once more boon afflicted
with broken dam, which approaches the
famous Mill river disaster, although, fortu-
nstoly, tho loss Of life was spared by ample
warning Tho wator In the reservoir ut ieces.
tor, which supplied the town of Worcester,
forced its way through tho dam aud spread
dosoIation and destruction through course
Of nine miles before II spent its fury. Since
the recent hoavy rains the dam has been aus
pocted Of being weak, and constant watch has
been kept upon 1t aud the people Of the valley
warned to have everything In readiness for
immediate flight. Wednesday water was OBJ
served trickling through the center Of tho
dam, and bags Of hay and timbers wore
thrown in behind to endeavor to hll up tho
cracks, while at tho same time all sluice ways
were opened to relieve the pressure. Thurs
day afternoon . stream the size Of pipe
stem forced its way through, and Instant
ly the dam WAS doomed, for the volume
Of water enlarged to mans arm, then grew
to the diameter Of pail, and Immediately tho
structure crumbled and the 700, 0O0, 900 gallons
Of water rushed roaringly forth on its mission
Of destruction in volume 20 feet high. The
immense granite gatehouse was torn from its
foundations as il it were leaf, and hurried
down the flood. The water rushed madly
through the towns Of Kittlebrook, Cherry
Valley, GAINESVILLE, Leesville, Stoneville and
New Worcester, leaving it's devastating marks
everywhere it TOUCHED. At Kittlebrook the
waters struck into pond, and carrying before
them milldam, demolished large brick mill.
Gathering fresh force from this accession, the
flood tore down another dam and picking up y
wooden factory in its pathway, carried it along
in its mad career, only to dash it against and
ruin four-story brick structure further down.
A barn was here snatched up and torn to pieces
as if it were of paper. Onward the flood swept,
carrying away shanties and trees into James,
vile, where still another dam was broken
down. Further on bridge was taken off,
while just beyond the dam at Stoneville being
forced, the soothing flood rushed through a
narrow valley with such roar that it was dis
tnctly heard mile off, The waters boiling
forth from this confinement struck the
Boston and Albany railway in solid mass 80
feet in height and tore its way through gap
500 feet long and 20 feet deep, twisting the
costly steel rails into fantastic shapes, and
carrying off the ties. A body Of water 10 feet
in height rushed down the steep grade Of
the track for mile, leaving only chaotic
mass Of curled iron and broken woodwork
to mark it's course the entire distance.
At Leesville the Satinel mill and dam
were completely demolished, while at
South Worcester the Wicks factory was de-
stroyed, after which the water ran off on the |
meadows, sweeping away few shanties
but its fury was expended, and it gradually
The lower portion of Worcester
was flooded, but no great damage done. While
the flood traversed the first mile in three
minutes, it occupied three hours to cover the
nine miles Of it's ruinous sweep to Worcester
Numerous bridges were destroyed, and railway
il entirely cut of for the time |
being, 30 no definite idea of the immense
losses can be made. Worcester being without |
water would be sacrificed if fire should break |