Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1889-06-08
NOTES ON THE FLOOD.

| Inc Tuscarora was turned into a
river, and the Potomac into high
sea.
The citizens and the authorities
should do all in their power to clear
away the dirt, washings and refuse
from the flood, for warm weather
might breed an epidemic therefrom.
People along the water got plenty
of summer wood.
Those who were accustomed to read
ing their newspapers over Sunday,
had to get down their Bibles or other
good books. There were no newspa-
pers here Sunday except the local pa.
pers. THE HERALD Saturday was in
great demand, having full account
of the cyclone. This weeks paper
gives fullest particulars of the food,
and is worth preserving.
Mr.. Newton's stable, adjoining
Bowers Mill, was washed away,-his
horses, wagons, buggies, &C., going
along. The horses got out, but the
wagons were badly damaged.
Some of the road supervisors had
just completed their sections and re-
ported good roads to court, when the
flood came and leaves the roads in a
deplorable condition, requiring over
$1,000 to put them in anything like
good condition again.
Back Creek was worse than ever
known, and the smaller streams just
as bad. The larger bridges that re-
main have the roadbeds washed away
on both sides so that approach is dam
gerous. The smaller bridges are gone
everywhere and deep holes washed
out, rocks that four horses couldn't
move were carried out of their way,
fences gone, crops washed out plow
deep, and wheat and grass fattened
down and covered with ground so
that very little can be saved. Some
of the farmers lose all the profits of
two years. work, and the renters and
tenants are ruined. Many of the
streams remained up all night Fri
day night, watching the waters rising
and surrounding their houses, and in
some places had to remove their cat.
tie to places of safety.
Workmen were busy at Schoppert's
bridge and along the Opequon cross.
ing this week, repairing the damage.
Hon Geo. M. Bowers loss is up
wards of $500.
The water was eleven feet deep in
Fitz's Foundry and six feet in the
machine shop. A barrel filled with
chains was lifted up and left stand
upon window three feet high. The
destruction at Fitz's was complete,
and the greatest along the Tuscarora.
There being no trains over the B. &
o., work was partly suspended in the
shops. Repair hands and gravel
trains were at work since Saturday,
putting the road in running order
again.
Two excursion trains were run to
Harper's Ferry Sunday, and many
people went down to see the destruc-
tlOu dlOHS luo TlVST.
The loss and suffering by the food
are fearful to contemplate. Though
we have full accounts of the destruc-
ton, much remains untold, and there
are unknown losers and silent suffer
ers everywhere. The trouble does not
stop with the flood. Work is stopped,
people are thrown out of house and
home, and it will 60 years before the
loss il repaired or full recovery is
made for the damages sustained.
The first telegraph dispatch was
gotten to Harper's Ferry Sunday, to
Baltimore Monday. Trains came to
Harper's Ferry Monday, and a few
passengers succeeded in crossing and
getting here. Freight was entirely
uspended,-trains lying along the
road and many things spelling. 1t
will be some time yet before things
are in running order.
The mails began to come in Tues
day forenoon and city papers were in
demand, selling at 10 cents piece.
The families in town who had sons
or friends in the great flood centres,
were nearly distracted with grief. For
days no news, and the suspense slow
torture to many parents. A citizen OF
Martinsburg, Mr.. Henchrote, being in
Cumberland, and hearing of the flood
in Martinsburg, started and walked
down.
On the trains were many affecting
scenes,-parts of families separated
from home,-one thinking the other
lost,-no news,-no way of reaching
home,-the anguish was appealing.
Trains began to run through West
Monday and Through East Tuesday
on the B. & o. except to Romney and
Hagerstown. Engineers met with
many thrilling scenes and incidents,
blowing through the water,-their
fires washed out and engines almost
covered. -s-f SO