The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-07-20
THE DEADLY TORRENT.
CaldweIl's Run Sweeps Nine Persons AVA
to Their Denth,

THE DEADLY TORRENT.
CaldweIl's Run Sweeps Nine Persons AVA!
to Their Death.
The real horror OF the situation
brought about by the terrible storm be
gan to be felt before the terrific rain fal
had ceased, when there came from thu
lower portion of the city vague rumor
to the effect that in addition to the de
struction OF nearly everything Of value
along the line OF Caldwell's run, therC
had been serious loss OF life. 1t was no
long till the certainty OF such disaster
was confirmed and that in a way tina
made even strong men feel heart sicl
and distracted, for not only were there
two OF these lives lost MS at first reported
but it is almost certain that nine live!
were swallowed up in the awful torrent
that, with irresistible force, swept from
the high hills through which the usually
quiet run winds its way, through the
country and city to the river, causing
destruction the most dire.
The homes OF these nine unfortunatei
were swept away, and as no trace haC
been found of them up to late houl
last night, there is scarcely any doubt
but what they have perished.
APPALLING SCENES.
Areporter Of the INTELLIeEScER start
ed for Caldwell's run as soon as the
storm would permit and reached the
Eofr street crossing shortly before s
O'Clock. The scenes presented, even US
viewed in the darkening gloom that had
settled down, were most appalling. The
waters had fallen considerably, but the
run was still swollen to the proportions
usually reached after ordinary heavy
storms. There was nothing to obstruct
its course as with sullen roaring the
waters rushed to the river, for the rea'
son that it had carried everything before
il almost at the very outset.
Both the Chapline street and EoH
street bridges, together with their abut
ments, were gone, and the Woods street
bridge was in such a weakened condi'
ton that it was dangerous to cross, espe'
cially in the darkness.
DARKNESS IN THE EIGHTH WARD.
South of the run all was darkness, al
the gas mains having been broken by
the destruction OF the bridges. The
Eighth ward was without gas light
and the only illumination to be had wa'
that obtained from what candles, lamps
and lanterns could be purchased at the
stores.
Not only was this large ward without
gas for light, but like the balance OF tht
city, it was without natural gas for fuel
and to add to the gravity OF the situa
ton the carrying away of the bridges
also broke the water mains so that tht
people Of that section were withOu
water Mr.. Hoffman, Of the Watej
Board, was on the ground early and a
once sent orders TO Superintendent Rid
die to get force OF men ready to get Il
work on the big twenty-inch main a
soon as the water should subside sufEi
ciently, so that the lower end OF the cit!
might be supplied with water as early n
possible. 1t is thought by no)n to.da!
the water service will be in such shapl
that the consumers will not be longe
deprived Of that necessity
DISTRACTED PEOPLE.
Gathered on what was left Of the Eof
street brick pavement between Twenty
eighth street and where the bridge stoot
was large and excited throng OF mel
and women, discussing in a distracted
manner the awful consequences OF tht
calamity. Those who had watched the
destruction from a safe point said tina
the waters seemed to come in sole
wall that oyer-leaped the banks OF tn,
rur and carried everything before il
1t was not gradnal rise giving warning
to those in exposed places, but it CAM
all at once.
They had seen this overpowering wal
OF water crash through the city carrying
with it homes, outhouses, barns, COWS
horses and hogs and debris Of ever.
kind and description.
coFFIxED DEAD IN THEFLooD.
Men shuddcred as they told of havinI
seen persons carried down by this awfu
torrent waving their hands for help tina
could not be extended to them.
Others told gruesome tales about sec
ing coftins in the awful tide, that hal
been washed out OF the cemeteries bacl
on the hills, but these stories were no
generally credited till shortly after mid
night, when men at the street chr stable
on the watchout for bodies that nigh
float past, pulled out Of the river cotiil
containing ghastly corpse.
THE LOSS OF LIFE.
There was, however, no disputing {
the stories about the loss ef life. To
many people saw human forms iloatin
past and men coming down from tn
run confirmed the truth of these stories
; The house OF Herman Stencil, we
known milkman, was destroyed, and tn
supposition is that he, his mother, I'll
by the name OF Stencil, and a girl name
Withers, who was visiting at the hous
r are lost. No trace OF them whatevI
/ could be found.
A man named John Holman was sec
. endeavoring to go from his house to Il
!. house OF the Stencils on a raft. II
, raft capsiZed and Holman has not bee
o seen since.
4 A cRAzED FArHER.
+ Mr.. Thomas Howley, man about
years old, formerly a well-known irt
!, worker here, is the only one that {
= = capped out OF his family Of four. He