The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-06-14

"a ne Storm the night OF the 1th
inst, caused great loss of property in
the vicinity Of Wheeling At Glenp's
Run, four miles above the city, Switzer
named STRAUB lost his wife and five lit
tie children in the raging waters. He
managed to save himself in q bruised
and injured condition. Tie house and
everything In 1t was swept away, the
Register says:
He and his wife, with their five chill
dren, Fritz, aged 8, Mary Z, Louisa S,
Ferana 3, and Albert 2, came direct to
Wheeling from Switzerland about thir.
teen months ago. He procured EN-.
ployment in the Top mill stone quar-
ry, and purchased the little place by the
bridge, where they all lived happily and
comfortably together. Tuesday night
they retired at an early hour. About
10 o'clock he was awakened by the rain
and look d out, hut the stream did not
seem more noisy or swollen than usual,
and he went back to bed. An hour later
he was awakened by his wife as the storm
at that time was at its full fury. Fear
ing they would be inundated by the run
which was now roaring loudly, the chill
dred were awakened and preparations
made to get out on the road. There
was only one door to tie cabin and that
faced up stream. AS he opened it, it
seemed as though.
SOLID BANK OF WATER
carrying with 1t logs, trees and small
stones rushed under the bridge and
against the house. He was thrown 10
the other end of the room and it was
Immediately seen there was no escape
as no one could walk against that stream
The children screamed with fear and
I the poor wife exclaimed:
s'oH GOD! MUST WE DROWN"
The husband tried to find an axe to cut
, through but that had been left outside
There was now nothing to do but avail
their fate and stare death in the face
The husband and wife
EMBRACED FOR THE LAST TINE,
: the children were kissed and then sud
denly there was crash, rocking L
and fro OF the house followed by sud
q den collapse. The wife had taken th
two youngest her babies, the father tn
next two, and when he found himself il
0 the stream, little Fritz was manfull
e buffeting the cruel waters, but 500
q sank from the gaze OF the agonized fa
ther.
A moment or 81 later one of the girl
was
q TORN FROM HIS ARMS
by an overhanging bough and the othe
lie was struck from him by log All c
!. this time he had been hearing th
screams Of his wife who was belo
him, but that was now stilled and nott
C ing but the rush and roar of the water
e and the loud and heavy peals of thunde
d fl lied his ears.
What must have been the thought
that rushed through his brain at th,
y time, can only be imagined HON
Is wife, children. money all gone, and b
e. left alone As the poor fellow reache
,h this point OF his story.
IN HE BROKE DOWN COMPLETELY,
Of and turning his face to the wall covere
a it with his hands and wept. There W,
= not one that stood around that had
~ dry eye.
70 Resuming his story he said he did nj
Of know anything further until he four
" himself in the river cllnging to los
/. how he got through the railroad culve
. be did not know. For two hours
Is was in the water chilled to the bone, b.
i unable to get on the shore on acooul
o. the swift current. In the meantim
es he held on to the willows. About fol
:, o'clock be managed to get ashore, al
staggering to Weispe's, he raped ar
u lmplored them for
GODS SAKE TO LET HIN IN!
Of As the poor fellow told his story ar
OF spoke OF his wife his frame shook wi
. convulsed sobs. He has but two rel
lives this side Of tbs ocean, they bein
g the wife Of Jacob S} Ills, who is his aur
* and Nick Straub, HE uncle. Both r
at siding up the run.
S.raub is bruised from head to foe
as being scratched with nails, etc. D
re Wilson is attending him. 1t is wond
Is, that he was saved.
ct, ------- ------
te AN OITTPOITRTNG OF THE NPTRI'