The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-13
RUIN IN TESTFIELD. MASS.
Dwellings md Business buildings Carried
Away ny the Great Flood.

non, N, Sp-ings,H Republican,
II was known in Westaeld at o'clock on
Tuesday evening that the river was rapidly ris-
ing and danger might be anticipated. The
selectmen had n large forcc Of men raising
the dyke between the railroad and the Elm
street bridges Tho river fast gained on
them. ana nj pa the nre-alarm bells were rune
The water was held in check there until nearly
II o'clock. Meanwhile tho river had risen two
feet higher than the dyke had heen before tho
addition. Then, almost simultaneously with
news that the dyke hal given way NJ the bond
nearly mile west 81 Elm street. came iuteli-
rcnro that az Clark street and jus, south ~ tho
Canal Railroad track. the dyke had also broken
and the wat"r was rushing into tho town In tor
rents. All attempt 10 LONGER save the dyke ncar
the bridge WINS abandoned. and. warned hv the
Hood Of nine years before. the people on Elm
street. between tho bridge and Orange stroot
rushed toward Franklin nnl the green" Tho
Hood from tho break n mile Wcst had reached
there before them. and surgsl into the hollow
between Franklin street and tn e-rnilrond cross
Ing with sulicn rom, barring their progress in
that direction Then tho crowd turned back and
attempted 10 got south ~ the flood nv means of
tho railroad rack. and largo number succeeded
in doing 80 before tho water rose twelve foot and
covered the emhnnkment. Those who failed to
cross turned back. md wore soon shut m In n
narrow limit by tho water from the dyke at Sack
cit street forring through tho railroad cmhnnk-
mont. carrying sheis. barns. and houses IN its
progress, and pouring. with relentless force
across Elm street nj the unoccupied factory
building Of Leonard Aiwoter. and hurrowinc
ten or twelve feet under the adjoining house
owned hy Widow Sackett plunGing tho house
into tho hole. and making the rescue II tho half
dead inmates impossible until o'clock ycstcr-
day morning. when they were taken or in
boats.
Another stream poured down Orange street
and swept away tho railroad nj that point. Tho
poople who wore between these points and tho
bridge cut Of from their homes in tho main
portion OF the town. secured admission 10
some ~ tho houses. and. by taking 20 tho
upper floors. managed 10 keen dry. Several
OF tho houses had been deserted by their own
ers; who in many cases leii IN so much hurry
tho doors were locked tho penu'e on tho street
themselves until tho force ~ tho enron, snb
sided. and boats were sent 90 tuke them OF
early ve~ter Inv morning. Hardly had the aopd
from Frnnklin strert covered tho railroad ON
hankm"nt back of the numerous factories
located ut that point. when me cmh1ns m.nt
gnvc way in three places. making gaps oi from
% ~ IVY Ieet Wldr NnI -ln.!ng 'n tIlch rom ~
scene WAS wild beyond dss'riuf.on. the r0ar o..
the water and the crashing of timber drowning
the cries ~ horror from the affrighteA ~poctn-
tors who crowded back upon each other In their
eagerness 10 e; away from danger. The freed
water snread ont into the meadow below. hut
soon gathering renewed force swept from is
foundation the bridge spanning the town brook
NJ Mechanic street. Just below IL was Joined by
two liited llSe feather ne large double tone
mcni house occupied by Frank Ash. md carry
mpon Mosleys meadow. The water also lifted
Patrick Salmon's house hnt Jet 10 down again
n IN nngle q - degrees. While The waier WIS
momcnurily increasing forr" hrtween ana
through fhe factories. soon through tho dul
Gloom tho building occupied Toy Holcomh K
Cook whfp mHnufa'turer-. was saon 20 rise and
quickly strike against the skeleton of the rail-
rond Ave rods in the rear. For a moment the
crushed the sides ~ the wooden factory. and
the roof teli upon the, m9Ss. Hardly hnd this
cuped hy Edmund Cooper and other muuuiar-
turing firms. started 70 follow rs mate, When
except that the rear end WIS torn out 80 thn, it
extended 70 the remains ot the railroad
track. To the horror % the spectators.
the building. voice was h...! inside calling
for help and a mans hend pro'ruded from the
serond-story window Ropas wore sent Tor 10
would fall 10 pieces before they arrived. two
brave ciearmakers. James Bliss and Andrew
the boiling water. and shouted for the man to
drop from the window. He did so and was
grasped by them and dragged TO place Of
4 crash next warned the people for squares
away that some new catastrophe hnd occurred.
and soon i was seen that the water was under
mining William Provin's handsome four-story
brick block and the north wall was crumhllng
10 pieces. From hour 10 hour in the night
and Yesterday morning the whole interior of
the structure from roof 10 cellar was EXPOSED
- view the floor sagsing almost 70 breaking for
Across Elm street n channel was washed out
II 10 10 fFct deep, anu AL yesterday Dolly OF
water was rushing through probably 10 feet
in depth. Grent damage was here done by the
currrut II. g.. Shute's lumber yard and fancy
woodwork factory being the first 10 suffer. the
factory splitting in two and the lumber being
scattered along the line OF the Hood for a mile
or more. Next came Steer < Turner's church
organ factory. whose east and west wings wnro
swept away. and with them great amount Of
valuable tools and stock. An under current
set back upon tho Peck, Osden 4 Coz brick
whip factory al the south end Of the bridge. and
about o'clock twenty-five feet 81 thc rear end
crumhied on from top 10 bottom. carrying with
IL some thousands OF dollars worth ot finished
AMI unfinished goods. just east the small house
oil Daddy Cleveland wastipped over and rom
this place III" water contrntod itself with hood .
ing houses and barns and drowning pigs and
fowls. About O'Clock now horror WAS added
10 the scene when Col. i. b. Walkley's barn on
Bartlett street WIS found to be i'm flames. The
fire spread So rapidly that the horses could not
be rescued. Soon the flames Communicated 70
the house. and for a time il looked ms though oil
tho buildings in that section, INCLUDING the
Catholic church, would be demolished; hut
some OF the hrayest Of the ilromen. headed hy
Chief Engineer Whippe wudrd through the
water 10 the Arnold street engine house. seized
n hose cGrringe. and, no the imminent risk %
thcir lives. dashed up 10 their urrk- through
the torrent that rushed across LIN street md
reached the fire In time to cOnHne il To- Walk
ley's buildings. They say money could not
hire them TO do il again.