The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-06-01
Learned at PhiIadalpbia.

| PHILADELPHIA, May SI.-AlI the wres
of the Pennsylvania railroad west of vii.
more station on the Pittssurg division,
twenty-five miles west of A ltoOna have beer
down since a. m A., and consequently in
formation in regard 10 the break west of
that place is very mesgre. Enough
has been learned, however, to indicate the
rush of water is the worst ever known IN
that section. The Chicago limited expires.
which left New York at O'Clock this
morning. and the fast line, leaving there at
the same hour, and the train leaving that
city at s o'clock last night, are all laid up
at Altoona.
At 1890 tonight dispatch was received
by General Manager Pugh, dated Will
more, from fhe conductor OF the east
bound New York and Chicago limited
which left Pittsburg at Z O'Clock this morn
ing, saying the train was safe aud that all
were well on board. Mr.. Pugh inferred
from this that the limited was laid up
somewhere west of LilIys. The conductor
reported that the bridge at South Fork was
washed away and EXPIRE ssed the opinion
that all the bridges between the South
Fork and Johnstown would be swept away.
The Chicago and New York day
supposed to be laid up between CresOn and
Pittsburg. When Pugh was shown a copy
of the Associated Press dispatch from
Pittsburg announcing the breaking of the
dam near JohnstOwn be said that this re-
port confirmed a dispatch received from
Wilmore tonight, which stated a mau had
reported 10 the the Pennsylvania railroad
operator there that the South Fork dam
ad broken, and the water had carried away
the coal tpple and telegraph tower at
South Fork station and also a portion OF
the eastbound freight train. The telegraph
operator who was in the tower managed
10 escape, but several of the train hands are
reported 10 have been drnwned.
The reservoir or dam at South Fork,
which is said to have burst with such ter
rible results, is described by gentleman
acquainted with the locality in which it
was situated. 1t was built for the old
Pennsylvania canal and has been owned
for several years by a number of PIttsburg
gentlemen who used it as fishing ground.
The gentleman who gave this information
said if the report Of the bursting of the
dam was true, he had no doubt that the
damage and loss of lie was fully as great
as indicated in the dispatches.
The conductor of the east-bound New
York limited express, who reported the
safety of his train, also said that the report
had reached him of the breaking of the
dam. General Manager Pugh said
tonight that he could not un-
dsrstand what was meant when
he received dispatches announcing damage
to the track at Lilly's. Such thing has
night, and nothing short of a water-spout
could have caused such damage. Lilly's
is a little mining town of 300 or 400 inhabit-
ants For the water 10 rise high enough to
obstruct the passage of trains is unprece-
dented. A dispatch just received by me
says the water is rushing over the tracks
at the height of at least five feet above the
road bed, and this, it is said, could be
brought about by nothing short of water
spout 1 have no doubt that if our operator
at Snag Hollow said he saw bodies from
Johnstown floating down the river, as was
reported by the Associated Press, it is
true, as his tower is located right on the
bank of the river.
Dispatches received up 10 midnight az
the office of the Pennsylvania railway in
dictate the situation is hourly growing |
worse. The effects Of the storm are now !
being felt on the middle division of that
road, extending between Harrisburg and
Altoona LaDdslides and washouts are re-
ported along the line between these places. |
No trains will be sent out west Of Harris |
burg until the storm abates and the extent |
Of the damage done can be ascertained. |
The New York limited, east-bound, which I
is now at Wilmore, had a narrow escape |
from destruction The conductor reports |
that Immediately after his train had passed /
over the bridge which spans the river a.
South Fork that structure was swept away |
By the rushing water.
The tracks west OF Johnstown are at
some points entirely carried away and the |
roadbed is gone The river for some dis
taDce above the bridge Is filed with build |
ings and driftwood forty feet high, which |
is on fire and likely to damoge the bridge, /
which Is OF stone. The FIRE is beyond con
troll Johnstown is literally wiped out