New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-01

OF HOUSES.
Pittsburg, May 3l.-A sudden froshet occurred
to-day In the North Fork River, east Of Johns
town, Penn, in the Allegheny Mountains. The
railroad and telegraph lines were washed out, so
that difficult TO obtain, but it was learned
that the reservoir above the town broke about
o'clock this evening. Houses with their occupants
we're swept away and scores probably hundreds, of
people were drowned
The first reliable information from the town
came through Pennsylvania Railroad officials, who
averred that over 200 dead bodies had been
counted doAting down stream at Johnstown alone,
while along the line many additional lives have
been lost 1t was asserted that only two houses
in Johnstown were above the water-line The
people who escaped fed panic-stricken to tho
mountains. At n point near New-Florence eighty
five persons were counted aoating down the river
on driftwood. The Covetown and tho New
Florence bridges were washed away and all the
buildings along the Conemaugh between New
Florence and Johnstown have been carried away.
The railroad towers were aba ndoned by the opera
tors.
Houses could be seen going down the river by
the dozen, with people chngi1s to the roofs. At
CoketOwn,N village Of several hundred inhabitants,
the houses wero almost entirely submerged, and
the same was true OF many dwellings at Blairs-
vile. Scarce n dwelling near Sang Hollow could
be seen. The bridges at Bolivar and Nineveh
nj hat Cal Ia
feared would be carried away.
The telegraph wires being down absolutely for
six or seven miles below the immediate scene OF
the disaster, and being useless for three or four
miles distance. il was at least haf.psst o'clock
before an sccunte outline of the effect of the
deuge could be learned. The chief officials OF the
PittSburG end OF the main liDe OF the Pennsyl-
vnniA Road received most Of their first informa
ton from the signal tower St Sang Hollow, six
miles west Of JohnStown- Az quarter OF 8
o'clock hoy was rescued by men in the signal
tower Of the railroad company His name Is un
known, but he said TINT with his father mother,
brother and two sisters lie was swept away in the
light frame house which was their home. He was
Nbhhtu ANhy lroH WIS OulluiuB, pub Ailu tnhu
tba other meEabers OF the family wcro
in 10, when it was swept over the
brrast OF tho new stone railroad bridge at Johns
town; that 10 capsizcd few seconds later and
they were all drowned so far MS he could tell
The railroad opemtors officially reported that
before dark they were able TO count II o persons
clinging TO buildingS, wrccknge, or drowned and
Coating in the current. II this information is 10
be credited, the damage IN tho town proper must
amount TO complete destruction.
A early as o'clock the alarm wns sent TO
Johnstown that there was danger from the dam
The railroad officials were warned and in short
time began to carry people from the town TO places
Of safety on regular trains and hastily improvsed
rcscuing trains Superintendent Pitcairn, OF the
Western Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad
was on his way TO South Fork, and was informed
Of impending trouble
People here who have friends In the flooded
district are eagerly waiting for news at the tile
graph office Great unensiness prevails The
river at Livrrmore iS rising and great destruction
will follow.
The reservoir nt South Fork is described rs an
immense body OF wnter, formerly used as a water
supply for the old Pennsylvania Canal. It has
been owned for several years by q number Of
Pttsburg men, who used 1t for fishing.