Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-06-07
A Thrilling Experience in the Flood.

a Thrilling Experience in the Flood.
Miss Jeanette HaIf0rd, daughter of the
Presidents private secretary, related he'
adventures of the past week in the flooded
districts of Pennsylvania as follows
.Our first intimation of danger" said
Miss Halford, as her expressive brown eye;
grew larger, "was at New Florence, where
our train, The second section of the day ex
press, halted The water was pretty high
at this point, and we we're delayed short
time en- account of reported washout some
distance ahead. Subsequently, however
we ran down past JohnstoWn, where the
water was already up to the second story
window sills. The people did rot seem in
any way alarmed st the prospect, stating
that it was regular spring occurrence, and
would soon snbside.
"While lying at JohnsSown, which was
about II O'Clock Friday morning, we ascer
tanned thai the rise In the water had occur
red within five hours, for at o'clock there
was not semblanoe of danger, although ii
was raiuiug very hard. Then We heard that
the dam was iu danger and it was deter.
mined to push on with our train to east
shops were located.
Upon reaching that point we found the
first sectiou of the Indianapolis day express
and the Johnsown accommodation train on
two of the three tracks, and we pulled up
alopgside the three trains, short distance
from the canal. Passengers took matters
pretty easy in tho cars, Tor some were reading
and others smoking, until about clock Fri.
,c,o rrla nj I n
whistle in the shrillest maDper imaginable.
At the same moment there was loud cry,
to the hills and passengers began TO Va
cate all the trains in hurry 1t was rain
ing in torrents, and 1t was probably owing
to this fact that made desperate and suc.
cessiul effort TO secure several umbrellas be-
longing to our party, for mother was one OF
the first assisted out of the Pullman car,
owing to the fact that she was known to be
an invalid. She first put on her rubbers
and secured shawl, and with view to
further protecting her obtained gossamer
that was hanging on the back of her chair
in the car.
sat this time the porter and myself were
the sole occupants of the car, and as we
passed out towards the buffet l struck nay
foot against hand bag which l knew con-
tanned medicine that mother needed. made
an effort to take the satchel with me, but II
was too cumbersome, and from the fact that
had to jump some distance from the
Car step to an improvised foot walk. left
the satchel.
"By this time the water was about foot
and q half deep, and after / had waded
about the distance OF block felt my heart
failing me. Mother was short dis
@atAr nod 20
make a desperate effort to reach her
At this moment l looked back and saw
what appeared to be q solid wall of debris
OF c!ayey color, with large two.story
frame house in the foreground. Burdened
as was with three umbrellas. waterproof
cloak, and endesvoring to hold my skirts sc
as to expedite my movements, 1t seemed ar
age until I reached the side of Mr.. Spangler
postofice inspector from Illinois, and en-
treated him to help me. In response be took
hold of py arm and hurried me up the hill
side, and in few moments was safe with
mother aud other friends.
"From this point we watched the move
mente of the water and the fate that befel
the traiDs 80 recently vacated. First the
earth cracked and washed away and ties
rails. and cars on two of the three tracks
were quickly engulfed and hurried out o.
sight. A big house near the engine of oui
train acted as sort of breakWater and the
water divided, leaving our train compare
lively safe. We ascertained the next morn
ing that 1t did not come up beyond the fool
of the Pullman coach next to the baggage
car nor in the car which mother and myse
had to vacate go hastily.
"Mr. Griffin and his daughter had terri
BILE experience in the Pullman to which
have referred, being cut off by the water &c
quickly that they could not leave it. The
porter let down the berths and they climbed
into the upper ones, where they remained
until the flood subsided sufficiently to per-
nit of their being removed from their peril
Gus position.
"Such was the force of the current thai
sixty ton engines, heavy Pullman coaches
and large houses twisted and turned END
over end as though they were pieces OF pa
Der, and the water seemed to be solid wal
of debris rushing along with q terrifying
grinding sound. Out of thirty-six engines
that were in the shop yards when the flood
came only two remained on the tracks, anC
and some OF them were carried mile dowr
the valley.
"Miss Bessie Bryan, of Philadelphia, and
another young lady lost their lives in at
tempting to secure their overshoes, although
the conductor of the train repeatedly eau
toned the passengers to leave everything
behind and fee for their lives to the higt
ground, about two blocks distant from thu
railroad tracks.
"Hospitable people on the hillsides threw
omen their houses for our accommodation
and the next morning We were driven across
the mountains, distance OF eighteen miles
to Ebensburg, being compelled to ride il
wagons with no springs over the roughes
roads imaginable. At this point oarria,gt
was secured, and drawn by four splendit
horses we journeyed forty miles in abou
six hours to a station, where we connected
with a train bound for Altoona and our trial