New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-28


of Jacob Basch and the machine-shop of Samuel
Amdon. Next the Hydcve Phoenix Mills,
| making cassmeres. Three and half miles further
down were the Glen Manufacturing COmpanys
mills at Glenville, making cotton warps. and the
Converseville Manufacturing Company's mills.
These two in the upper part of Stafford Springs
Below them was that village, and in it were the
Granite Mills, run by Geo. NJ. Ives, making cotton
goods. The water which grew greater
in volume by the absorption of the success
sive ponds, as each lower dam was
carried off moved at the rate of five miles an hour
and from the time of Mr. Pinney's warning up to
the arrival of the water the people were busy IN re-
moving their property. Little, however, was res
cued. When the water burst out of the reservoir it
struck and carried off a side building by the Con-
verse Mills, the dwelling house of Otis Holbrook,
and two bridges. 1t left the mill and Baschs mill
unhurt Turning with the channel, it destroyed
Amadons machine shop several tenements, and the
house of Farley Howe.
Then the dams of the Phoenix Company, Howe
Company, and Valley Company tore away, though
thems were not hurt Growing greater, the volume
of water, reaching Stafford Hollow, tore away an
iron bridge grist mill, and several old bridges.
Making a new channel by Beebes store, it cut
through the highway passage 80 feet deep aud
spread over the meadow below there, but was
gathered again at gorge half mile above the
borough of Stafford Springs. Here it carried off
the Glen Companys dam, but the mills and tene-
ments escaped.
From here mass about 80 feet high, made up of
debris as much az water came rolling to the dam of
the Converseville Company The people, who had
gathered in large numbers acted like crazy persons,
and in some cases had to be carried to places of
safety The Converse Mill was not destroyed, but
the dam went and also the dam of the Granite MILL
The mill building was flooded and somewhat under
mined but did not fall. Eight tencments belonging
to this company were knocked over and literally
ground TO pieces. They disappeared or were ruined.
The store of L. W. Crane, the Stafford National Bank
building containing also the savings bank, banter
d Heald's block, the building of the Home
Mutual Fire Insurance Company the Congregational
Church. the two-story warehouse of G. o. Cleveland,
the livery stables of Levi Gerry and Gerry Brothers,
the warerooms of William Smith & Co., clock deal
ers the coal and lumber yard of C.. j. Holmes, the
freight depot, the town hall. the engine house,
quarter of mile of track and 10 loaded freight cars
were swept away. The flood set back III West
Main-st as far as Warren Block, flooding the base
ment occupied by BideweD 81 Smith as a market.
A large crowd watched the flood, all being warned,
but few thought it would prove so serious The
Phoenix Mills lost from So 600 to $4,000 worth of
wool at the depot.
1t is feared that Mr.. Richard Speeding was
drowned. He was last seen while engaged III saving
goods in f. j. Chambers store. He started to come
out but seeing the water deepening shut himself IN
the store, which was destroyed.
The accident is terrible blow to the industries of
this valley. About 1000 hands are THROWN out Oh
work and business is sadly crippled
The loss down as far as Stafford Springs, is est-
mated at from 100000 to $1,000,000. Much of
tmnn ne
items are the reservoir dam, which cost $4,000;
the dwelling of Otis Hobrook, 81 500 the machine
shop of G. s. Amidon and two houses, $4,000; grist
mill. &C. So 900; the Chenille Company, 1000;
the Converse Mill Company, $1,000; the Granite
Mill Company, $50, 900; L. W. Crane, dry goods and
groceries $4,000; the Home Mutual Companys
building. 5000; the Congregational church, S25-
900; Thompson & Wilton groceries, $4,000;
Wm Burne jeweler, 100000; I. j. Chandler. news
room 81 900 Head & Small, drugs and clothing
$4,000; Baker & Heald's block, $4,000; National
Bank at Stafford, 81 O00 Levi Geary, livery stable
SO, 600; Gerry Bros, livery and tenement houses,
$4,000; G. O. Cleveland, grain aud flour, $4,000;
William Smith g. Co., block dealers, $40, 600; {. j.
Holmes coal and lumber, $4,000; Brough;Hali and
enginehouse with fire engine and contents,
$4,000; damage to towns as TO highways and
bridges $4,000; New-London Northern Railroad,
$4,000.
The damage below Stafford Springs is not easy to
get at. So far as reported from many directions it
consists of injury to bridges and roads, but no other
mills it is thought are destroyed.
Ex-Lieut-G Hyde, well-knOwn agriculturlst
and stcck-raiscr lost 81 900 at Stafford Hollow by
the swearing away of small buildings, and about
81 600 worth OF fertilizers in were swept away
al Stafford Springs fine meadow of acres, valued
at 5000 an acre belonging to Mr. Hyde, was also
DESTROYED Mir Hyde estimates the loss to the town
of Stafford in roads and bridges at 100000, and
the total loss by the flood at least 100000. Re-
ports this evening say that two lives were lost the
names of the men being Richard Speeding and Wm.'
Burwcl.
The following from the Superintendent of the
New ondon Northern Railroad is the fullest
NEw-LoNDoN March 81. 1877
Nv advices to this hour, O'Clock p H.. are that the
track has all gone from the Stafford passenger depot
half mile SOUTH and with the track went freight cars
and freight house Two Of the Howe truss bridges are
copcoup two miles south OF Stafford 90 feet long,
other half mile below that las feet long Two miles
south OF Toland the track is washed away and
the South wellington bridge Ia probably I'M
dermiped South Of that another piece ol the
track is washed out and still another bridge endan-
cercd Two bridges ut South Coventry are in great
dapccr the water being to the floor and reported
etiu rising Tie washout between Lebanon and South
Wlndha whicn occurred last night and which detained
our boat train has been repaired II receive further
particulars. viii advise you u. W. BENTLEY
Superintendent New-London Northern Railroad
No damage is reported the other railroads in
this State
THE WORK OF DESTRUCTION.
VARIOUS ESTIMATES OF THE DAMAGE-THE MILLS