Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-12
PARTICULARS OF THE STORM
In PennsyIvanIa-Bod or Four Wen
Found.
by telegraph to the Dispatch.l


PITTSBURGH, May 1l.-The reports OF
damage by last nights terrible storm are
coming IN to-day from all parts OF Allegheny
county, in fact from nearly every place IN
Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.
The loss, however, cannot be spproximsted
at this time. Farms were washed out,
houses, fences, and trees along the banks OF
streams were swept away, and landslides
occurred on nearly every road leading out
OF Pittsburgh.
So far but two deaths from drowning have
been reported. Two children OF Conrad
scbsefer, aged three and seven years re-
spectiyely, OF Spring Gardenborough, north
OF the Allegheny, were swept away by the
flood. and Mr.. aud Mrs. Schaeier narrowly
escaped from meeting the same fate. Their
house is located near the bank OF Butchers
Run, the scene OF the frIgbtful disaster oil
fifteen wears ago, when 200 persons were
swept 10 death by the angry waters. When
the banks overlooked last night SchSeier's
house was moved from Its foundation and
the family left the house and sought shelter
under some trees.
In running out Of the house the children,
both girls, were caaght by the current and
carried away. Mrs. Sehaefer became so
frantic on seeing her children In the run
that she got in the water, too, aud was almost
drowned. The bodies OF the children were
recovered. A physician was called to see
Mrs. Schacier, but IT is not thought she VIII
recover. Two other children in the family
were saved. One boy, seventeen years OF
age. who had a broken leg, was compelled TO
remain in the house. Another boy ea-
caped from the house and was saved by
holding TO the fence. This morning East
street and Madison avenue, IN Butchers
Run district, are complete wrecks, while
numberless cross streets are completely filled
with debris. Cars are lying on the tracks
unable 10 be moved and completely hemmed
In by planking and rubbish. The water in
the run rose so fast that the residents feared
A repetition OF the disaster OF 1894, and as
soon as tue first shock passed away and the
terrified inhabitants caught their breath
they Immediately made preparations to leave
their premises.
Every effort was made TO save the furniture
on the FIRST floors while the water washed
and sashed in the cellar below. Riyuets,
brown-colored and dirty, dashed into the
cellar.vindows In miniature torrents. A
large number OF butchers were heavily
damaged. Their slaughter-houses were
ruined while their stocks OF meats were de,
stroyed. Louis Zoller's case was but one oil
many.
At an early hour this morning be secured
all the hands he could get, 1osted his wagon;
before the door, and filed them up. Shoe
less and bstless aud their pants rolled above
their knees the perspiring workmen plodded
and wsded through slime and ooze almost
knee-deep and transferred the porcine pro.
perry. The same tale OF horror aud destruc'
ton comes from Saw-Mill Run. Woods's Run,
Charters Valley, West End, South SIDE
Pleasant Valley. and Lsureneeville districts
The lightning played havoc all night long.
A stable belonging to Frederick Hampke,
on MI Olivet, wss struck and consumed.
Fourteen horses and two cows were cre'
mated. The loss is $4,000. A south-Sidt
street-car caught the bolt. The passenger
were electrified, but not seriously hurt
The telegraph aud telephone-wires were de
ranged throughout large section OF the
country. Postal wires were all down in The
East, and the Western Union was badly Grip
pied. This morning trains were late on 81
the roads. but all were open aud running
except the Washington pal branch OF the
Baltimore and Ohio. The rainfall was nearly
three hours, aud the Ohio river rose three
feet in as many hours.
The bodies OF Two men, the victims OF lss
nights food, were found this morning
making four deaths so far reported. Tn,
remains OF John Doueherty were discovered
at the mouth OF culyert. at Woods Run
wedged In between some logs. He left BIZ
homo shortly after midnight to see how higf
the water was and had gone but short dis
lance along the banks OF the swollen streau
when be was struck and carried away by
bridge which bad been swept from Its foun'
dations. lie was fifty-two years OF age ant
married. A second fatality occurred IN thu
Butchers Run district. John Cochner wen
down IN the cellar OF his house during th'
storm and did not return. When th'
waters subsidized his body was found lying II
the coaksault.
While no definite figures can be given o
the loss at this time. It il safe to say that I
win reach halt million Of dollars In thi
yicinitx.