Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-07-22
w. MONDAY MORNING. %,

hension was felt by the two hundred or
more Inhabitants of the little village, and
they retired peacefully to rest.
About $50 in the evening the wave OF
destruction from Limestone HUI swept
down the right fork, spread over the mar
row bottom and carried ruin with it. In
FIVE minutes both streams rcee over ten
feet and the inhabitants were awakened by
,he rising water, and compelled to
FLEE FOR THEIR LIVES
with only such garments as they eoulu
gather IN the haste of fight. They sougn'
the bills and there ssw their houses swept
awav by the relentless torrent. But many
ware not so fortunate. Orville West, his
wife and his wifeis brother were sleeping
in their new home when the torrent came
on them. There vas enly time to flee to
the roof. The house rocked, swayed on It's
r,nndstion and then slowly moved out into
the stream. 1t swept five miles down the
curren, and the three half dead persons
still cling to it. Finally it struck tree
and went to pieces. Mrs. West
SANK IN THE FLOOD
and never rose again. Her brother was
rescued two miles below, while Mr.. West
cluDg to some driftwoOd until six O'Clock
the next day, when he was rescued.
O.car Kiger'a house stood on little
stream lust a short distance above Morris
town. No neigbbors were near TO tell how
the flood came on him and his family, and
bow they battled for life. The building
WAS situated in low place, and the
thoughts Of the rescusrs turned to 1t
among the first. 1t was sought out as soon
As possible, and a scene of horror and death
presented itself. The floods had swept
completely over the frail buIdiDg. 1t
was turned on its side.
TIE FATE OF A FAMILY.
Trees were torn up, fences swept
awsy and great boulders were lying in the
yard. A short distance down the stream
Kiger's body was found, covered with
saad. The ssarchers followed a few feet
farther and the dead bodies of Mrs. Kiger
and the Youngest child were discovered.
The mother had sought to save her dearest
one, aud hsd psrished with 1t.
The bodies Of the other two children
have no. been rescued, but no one doubts
that they lOst their lives. No more bodies
were found on the creek.
At the mouth, however, another fatality
is known to have occurred. Tobias Bliley,
q well known lumberman, was employed
by Rsthbons & Co. to look sitter their lum-
Der. The stream WAS swelling and des-
psrate effort was being made to save the
boom, which stretched across the creek at
his place. Bailey was standing on a gun
vale when the first heavy wave came out.
II struck the craft and shook it like leaf
Baily was thrown of into the torrent and
sapk before his Mortified companions could
move or offer him aid. These are all the
fatalities known on Tucker creek, but the
seven by no means complete the death
list
A STORY YET TO COME.
A horror of equal, if not greater, extent
il believed to have occurred on the head
waters of Sandy, the large creek which
lows south from Limestone Hill. Com
munication is entirely cut of and news can
be obtained only through rumor.
The deaths Of Mrs. Thomas Hughes and
four children and Of Mr.. and Mrs. Black,
which we're reported in the REGIsTER this
morning, are now verified.
10 addition 10 these it is known that
two men we're drowned, but their names
have not been learned and their bodies have
not been recovered. They were seen sweep
ing down the stream on a flimsy raft of
logs. The witnesses followed them and
made desperate efforts to effect rescue,
but before rope could be got TO the raft 1t
struck pile of drift, parted and both OF
the unfortuuates went down. This is the
story told by several reliable men, and Is
generally accepted.
This makes nine victims lost on Sandy
creek. Seven are known to be lost on Tuck
er. one on Pond and one in the Little ka-
nawha. Twenty people in all Perished in
the dire calamity, but the list Of dead is
not closed, and it may yet be swelled to
much larger number.
THE Loss
to property in Wood county is greater
than the fret estimates placed itst Capt.
H. B. Beckwith, of the County Court,
said to-day that the loss in this county
south OF the Kanawhs river alone would
reach $500, 600. Seven solid iron bridges
have been carried of, as well as large
number Of smaller wooden structures
The farmers on Lee, Slate, TygaIt and
Pond creeks suffered heavily. The Wood
coupty commissioners will start on a tour
Of investigation tomorrow morning. and
make fuller estimates of the damage. A
telephone message from Elizabeth says
that the commissioners of Writ county
have voted $3.50 to the aid of the sufferers.
VANISHED AND GONE.
,I,r-i..r,,rn swami AWAY. save the Ruins Of