The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-05-20

Al IN Shawnee Greek Causes
M.R,Terrible Disaster al
x% Ms Xenia, Ohio.
A Tct&l Loss Of Life Estimated at
Nearly Thirty-Much Destruc-
tion of Property.

A cloud-burst at Xenia, Ohio, on the
night of Wednesday, the 18th inst, speed
lily filed all streams in the vicinity, and the
water, laden with logs, rushing into a rail-
way culvert, quickly formed dam OF huge
dimensions, which was burst by the pres
sure of the water. The flood, when re-
leased, swept through the town, carrying
off everything in its path. In some in
stances whole families were drowned. The
number drowned or missing il placed ut
twenty-se seven, while the loss to property
will reach 100000. Xenia dispatch
gives the following details of the
terrible affair: 1t seemed as ii n water
spout had burst over the place, the streets
and alleys running full like rivers, and
with powerful current. carrying everything
before il. The point Of danger that threat
ened TO engulf the city and afterward did
prove to be the source OF wholesale drown
ing of the people and destruction of prop
erty was Archer Creek, a small stream that
runs through the town and into a culvert
under the Pan Handle Railway depot.
This stream became so greatly swollen on
account of the heavy rain thatthe culvert
was taxed to its utmost to give the water
vent and driftwood began coming down the
/. swollen stream and was caught ut the
culvert until great dam was formed. A
number of citizens, perceiving the danger
that threatened them. went out In the storm
and worked earnestly TO dislodge the tim
Der and drift, but the force of the current
was such that they became jammed IN SO
tightly that it was impossible to dislodge
them. The water backed up and soon
overhowed its barriers and formed a mighty
reservoir. In short time the embankment
gave way under the pressure, and the.huge
volume of water that stretched out like
sea broke over with a sullen roar and ran
like mill race through the streets of the
city, tearing down trees and washing away
houses in its mad fight of destruction.
The cries of the people in the flooded dis
trict were awful to hear. Many acts OF
heroism in saving the drowning are re-
ported. Bonfires were lighted and the peo-
pie worked all night Twenty bodies were
recovered and there are still a number miss
ing. Whole families persisted in the food
ed districts. There was great damage to
property all round in the country, and the
extent of damage cannot now be even ap-
proximated.
The people residing in quarters not COW
cred by the flood made up rescuing parties,
and by the hundreds ran to the scene of
desolation and death. The storm in the
meantime ragged with unparalleled fury, and
persons out on missions of mercy en-
deavoring to save the unfortunate were al
most carried off their feet by the wild
sweep of the rain aud wind
The work of finding the bodies was pros
ecuted all night. The Mayors Office was
turned into a morgue, and twenty-five
bodies were conveyed there The scenes
were heartrending. -
I The loss of houses is placed at sixty
eight, and it is believed the death-list will
reach thirty. Appeals for aid have been
sent out by the authorities, and donations
are asked for in behalf of the stricken peo-
pie. The great majority of those thrown
out of their homes were poor people, and
aid is earnestly asked in their behalf.