Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1884-02-10

imum depth, the water drowned OUT Wv
fires and the hydrant supply was at an emo
The gas supply met the same fate. From
imperfections in the mains, leaks were
sprung and they filed with water. When
night came the city was in total darkness
and such feeble light was procurtdss can'
dies, lamps and lanterns would give. 1t was
q dismal, dreary nj ;ht. The bsleaguered
city, plunged at once into darkness and
despair, waited impstieutly for day.
THE WATERS STAND.
The ONLY CLEAN of light furnished by this
dark day was the news from Pittsourgn
that the waters were at stand, and the
food at that point was over. Rivers
further up were falling rapidly also. But
here the water still rosely slowly and not
until S O'Clock was the flood pronounced
stationary. At midnight decline OF one
inch had taken place and from that time q
steady recession took place. Water and
land seemed to fight for mastery and the
former yielded, an inch time, fighting
stubbornly for possession but surely re-
treating.
Friday Morning
found so little fall that the change was
scarcely noticeable. In the entire day not
over five feet OF recession was noted. The
rivers and streams below were all running
out full, which prevented the water here
from getting of in hurry. But the day
was replete with incidents. Everybody
with leisure time found employ ment In
caring for the city's involuntary wards and
nobly the work was done. The desultory
charity was reduced to a system and the
work more thoroughly done. The large
heart Of the populace was touched and
purses were opened freely. Some addi'
tiopal thousands of dollars we're contribu-
ted. but such was the demand for supplies
that it was as quickly expended. In many
cases sickness broke out among the suffer
ers, surerinducsd by exposure and loss OF
sleep. Fortunately it proved to be no
more serious than that on1 physicians
volunteered their services without reserva-
iCr, in caring for them.
THIEvING xARAUpgRs.
No little excitement was caused on this
day and the preceding evening BY numer-
uus thleysh depredations committed on
property abandoned during The high water.
The pirates went about in boats, plnnder-
ing through upper windows, alter ap'
proashing and entering the houses in the
guise of rescuers. Desperate household
ers armed themselves, and would have
made short work OF robbers lad any come
about. IT was suggested that squad OF
one hundred men be armed from the State
arsenal and shoot them down without
mercy, but it was not acted upon.
There were also run,ors of unseyupulous
dealers threatening to- corner the supply
of provisions, but the press made such
threats, in case any instance was discov-
cred, that noae came to light.
I'VE NEIGBOERooD.
Very full reports were received from the
neighborhood, showing tbs destruction and
suffering 10 be she same everywhere and
from every town came the same appeal for
food. Moundsv;4le, Benwcod and Wells
burg, on this shore, Bellairs, Bridgeport,
Martins Ferry and dozens Of other places
in Ohis, were each inundated and the in.
habitsnts compelled to flee to high ground
for their lives. Expeditions were fttsd
out and sent from here, bearing food and
clothing and the distress relieved as much
IS possible, but our means were entirely
TOO limited TO dispense food as literally as
we wished. Oar own people will require
all the aid Wheeling can possibly extend
and probably more. The worst is yet TO
come. Al instance o9 this is found in the
Eighth ward, when the Relief Com nittee
makes its round. So fsmished and raw
enous are the people that in their rush for
food they resemble wild beasts and nearly
tear Off tbs clothing Of their preserVers in
their desire to be helped first. In some
cases whole families have nothing but one
blanket with which to cover themselves.
There was one feature of this day that
must not be missed, viz: The spontaneous
uprising Of organizations Of every charsc-
ter with Offers of aid. Letters poured in on
Mayor Miller, rendering such services as
might be in their power. Even social
societies and dancing clubs come forward
and volunteered to help TO the one general
md.
Tho Situation xestsIday.
At daylight yesterday morning the
change in the situation was decidedly
marked. Gradually the waters reeeded,
and sometime in the morning Market
street was clear to the bridge and COM
municstion with the South Side resumed.
Afttrno brought still more rapid de-
cline, and by nightfalI that portion of the
city north of the creek, exclusive OF the