Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-02-09

lie east Of the railroad rsck, on the side Of
the hill. The amount OF suffering ex.
perienced by the residents Of this town
csn no. be justly described, but in the fol.
lowing remarks the reporter will try end
give our readers a slight idea of the mis-
cry experienced and now being borne by
these people.
The town of Benwood, thst il, tie hsbi-
tations, lies about one mile south Of the
lower extremity of this city, and Is about
$50 yards wide, which distance covers all
the ground from the river front to the hills.
The B. & o. railroad track skirts the town
on the east and only about six houses, be
longing TO this town, lie east Of this track.
Yesterday afternoon, Mr.. Alex. Lsughiin
and Major Anderson were reliably in.
formed that the people Of this town were
suffering for feod. They Immediately
hunted up Mayor Miller and informed him
of the feet, suggesting at tie same time that
if the Mayor would secure them a steam.
boat they would Immediately take relief, in
the shape of food. 10 those in distress. The
Mayor chartered the steamer Regular from
Captain Booth. and a crew was quickly pro-
cured. The following amount Of food WAS
pounds OF side meat, 100 pounds of bologna
sausage, GO pounds OF hogs head cheese,
30 pounds of dairy cheese, 50 pounds OF
coffee and large quantity Of loaf bread.
Captain Dillon was in command Of the
boat, assisted by Fred. Husemsn, and Ed.
and Fred. Cline controlled tho wheel In
the pilot house. Major Anderson and Mr..
Alex. Laughlin, Of course, accompan led
the expedition. The latter gentlemen cut
up the meats on the passage down the
river. The steamer left the wharf at IS
min utes after O'Clock. On the passage
down no houses were seen that Were not
at least half submerged, and in many In
stances the houses were flooded nearly TO
the roof. Large open spaces were dis
covered along the line that spoke voluraes
themselves, showing where houses once
stood and which Was now complete waste.
The spot formerly occupied by the ferry
man at Benwood ferry is now vacant, no
house being there, II having been swept
away by the tiood. The only thing visible
Of ECggs' Island IS the tops OF several trees
The river, as heretofore stated, is from hill
10 hill from Fortieth street in this city 70
south of Beuwood. The residences on the
Ohio shore have suffered as much as the
houses on this side OF the river.
TIE moment tie steamer reached the
northern end OF Benwoud the pilot blew
several blast. Of his whistle, which bropyht
the people living in the second stories OF
their houses 10 the windows, and the cries
from them for bread was heart rending
The sentltm on the boat told them that
plenty Of food was on the boat, and that
thpy would land near the centre OF the
town and send ont boats with provisions
TO all OF them. Hardly had the boat land
ed before O dozen skitfs rushed toward II
ior food.
The provisions were landed on large
barge, and Mr, Jake Al'meycr and luire
Mcfiltnn were appointed by Msssrs
Laucblin and Anderson as commit'ee 10
distribute these provisions TO the sufferers,
with orders 10 distribute them as only ons
day's rations TO each family, and that the
boat will return Saturday morning with
another supply.
No person who was rot present at those
scenes could portray the situation, as wit.
| nessed by those present. The men and
women in the houses waved their heart
felt tbsnks from the second story win.
dows, while in the background could be
he0rd the liUIe children. crying Tor some
thing TO eat. There Is not grocery store,
drug store, or any other kind OF provision
hOuse in this town that is not Hooded;
hence tLero Is no hopes Of the people OF
Benwood getting anything to eat, without
il 10 sent to them from Wheeling. To
give our readers a slight idea OF the c)ndi'
ton Of the people in Benwood, We give
the following illustration:
Jake Altmcyer had twenty familiea In
his small honse, and Squire McTilton has
zoo women ant children in his house.
There is no house in B.nwood west OF the
B & 0. track but what has from 10 TO 20
feet OF water in il. At least seven -eighths
OF the one-story houses have been swept
away, in most cases only giving the occu.
pants sufficient time to yet out, without
saving anything except the scnnt clothing
on their persons The majority OF the
men who have been compelled to vscste
their houses. after placing their families In
places OF safety, were compelled TO take to
the hill. so ss 10 leave sufficient standing
room for some other unfortunate wife and
children. The gentlemen on the boat will
return TO 9enwood to-day, leaving here at
10 o'clock sharp. Persons wishing to con
tribute bread and meat will please leave the
same on the boat before 10 o'clock. Now
is the tine for charity.