Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-02-07

every street south OF Pennsylvania avenue
to Sharpsburg, Q distance Of five miles. are
under from one to ten feet OF water.
Library Hall, on Pennsylvania avenue,
where Lawrence Barrett is playing, was
compelled to suspend performances until
the water recedes. The museum on Sixth
street is still open. although surrounded
by water, and the manager offers free
transportation 10 and from the museum In
boat. To night the city is in semi dark
ness. The water is up to the gas works and
while the gas is still burning it isvery dim.
On the South Side every street south OF
Carson, from Charters creek to Thirtieta
Is inundated, while all property within
three squares of the river in Allegheny Ii
submerged. At this time it is Impossible
to estimate the loss, but it is sale to saysit
will not fall short Of one million dollars,
and may greatly exceed that amount. The
loss in some instances will reach fifty
thousand dollars, while few hundred will
cover Others. Fully FIVE thousand families
are rendered homeless by the flood.
Arrangements have been made to
shelter them in the public halls
tonight and tomorrow morning, in accord
ance with the proclamation Of Mayor Lyon,
public meetings will be held in Frohsine
and Turner halls for :he purpose OF max
ing some provisions for them until the
food subsides sufficiently to permit thom
to return to their homes. Allegheney
council also meets to morrow to discuss the
situation and devise means OF relief Tor the
unfortunates. Travel is suspended this eV-
ening on every railroad running out OF the
city except the Pennsylvania Central, ana
many people who left their homes in the
suburbs this morning, we're compelled to
remain in the city over night. The morn
ing newspapers are suffering great incon-
venience from flooding cellars, and the
Post. Commercial Gazette and Times will
be unable to print editions in the morn
ipg on their own presses. The Times and
Cormercial-Gszette will use the Leader
press, and the Post have arranged to run
their edition of on job press. The Six
teenth bridge, which it was feared would
be swept away, is still intact
Standing on the Duquesne Heights,
which oyerlooks the two cities, this AFTER
noon one could see q spectacle rarely
spread for view. At the base OF the hill
a black fringe of mill and factories were
idle and clouds Of smoke that ordinary
roll up from grimy throated chimueys were
not present TO disturb the vision. AS lar
up the Monongahela as Hszelwood aud up
the Allegheny to Sharpsburg the course
of The flood could be watched. On both
rivers it was the same thing, The rail-
roads along the banks had disappea red IN
many places and here and there stranded
car could be seen sticking its black top
out Of the yellow water. Buildings that
usually stood away back from the waters
edge were surrounded and cut of from
connection with solid earth. Bridges
in some instances are nothing more
th,n small islands, tbs. wa'er
having penetrated TO The low
spots that exist in almost all approaches.
The STEAMBOATS, had pushed up until the
bows almost touched houses along the
wharves, and in some places were floating
in tine streets. Looking down the Ohl)
river islands could be seen shrinking ID
smaller proportions, as the water rose up
and hid the lower portions from sight.
From shore to shore the water was
covered with ice, with here and there a
log and the remains OF a barge or
float whirling in the midst OF 1t.
Of the large wreckage there wss none Tor
the grinding OF Ice ana the strength Of the
waters tore everything apart. Along the
shores presented queer view from TINS
elevated lookout. Much OF the point had
disappeared, and il Was only the bridges
that made it possible to say where the eI-
act end of that part OF the city was located.
The point bridge was cut off on the Pitts
burgh side, the water being neck deep at
the foot Of the approach. Skitfs and fl bats
were flying to and fro and apparently had
many patrons. The Union bridge
was deserted and surrounded by
water The Sixth street bridge, with
water running by it at either end, was
lifted up higher, and Hand street bridge,
with the ends OF its arches in the water,
seemed almost ready to float OF for Go
cipns,i, A line Of umbrellas, looking like
huge mushrooms, touched By frost could
be seen moving along the banks wherever
the water left foot OF room. They started
at Gent street and kept on down, moving
steadily until they seemed to centre at the
point. or as near il as ii was possible TO
come That was al Short street and below
thst water was king.
NIpSIGHr.-The rivers sre believed 70
have reached the highest point at ten
o'clock and are now stationery, with the
M,nongshea thirty-three feet three
inches and the Allegheny thirty.four feet
six inches. The latest Jews from head
waters report the waters receding.. II is
still raining, but very light. One fatality
IS lust reported. Thomas Kelly, a grocer
of the South Side, was trying
% secure the driftwood aud fell
n the Monongahela and was drowned.
Another man, unknown, went dowa the
rIIer on a barge and is believed TO have
been lost. Hundreds of women and chi
drsn sre QUA tered in the City Hall to-
tight. Many were half starved, not having
oaten anything all day. A substantial
supper was served them and everything
nos sible done to relieve their sufferings.
rbe north pier OF the Union bridge has
lust washed away and the bridge is in
danger.