Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 18??-????, 1889-06-03

Postmaster J. X. Cofroth, came in ON
the p. M train from Johnstown. He
says that he was standing on the old
Bedford Pike near where the S. & c. r.
crosses; saw the mighty rush of wa
ter coming and ran up the abrupt "Green
Hill" as fast as his legs would carry him.
From here he had full view Of the aw-
ful scene. The great volume Of water
came rushing twenty feet high, sweeping
everything before IT, Buildings topped
over like paper boxes and were carried
by the current with frightful speed.
Thousandsof men, women and children
were running for the bill on which he
was standing, to escape from the terrible
death that was bearing down on them
with lightning speed. Han lreds were
overtaken by the angry waters, and were
swept away when within a few feet Of
safety. The few men on the hill with
Mr.. Coifroth used every effort at their
command TO assist the terror-strieken
people. Dozens were helped out of the
water Just as they were about 10 be car
ried away by the resistless current. In
the course Of u half hour the hundreds
of frame buildings that had been swept
by came floating up the Stonycreek
their downward course having been
eh ecked by the massive stone bridge o.
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company
which acted as a dam, and forced the
water back up the Stonycreek for dis
lance Of several miles.
Not building in the new town o
Moxham was left standing on its found
alton all were floating about in the
swollen river. Almost every house con
tained from two TO dozen people snC
their shrieks for help were agonizing i'
hear. On the side Of one upturned build
ing were a man and four small children
all on their knees praying for deliveranc'
from the terrible death before them. Thei
appealing prayers could be distinct,
heard by those on the hill top, who wer'
powerless TO assist them.
All night long men, women and chill
dren, by the thousands, were running N
and down the river banks, carrying Ian
tiers and lamps, searching for thei
friends.
Mrs. Denford, her daughter and son
Lou, of the Hubert House, are though
to be certainly drowned out of the forty
two PEOPLE in their hotel only eight wer'
saved. Among these are Postmaster Col
froth and Frank Benford, the manager 0
the house. A daughter of John H. Hus
ton, Of Somerset, was domestic in thi
hotel nothing has been heard of her.
Col. John T. Linton, the most promi
nent attorney IN Cambria county, AM
his entire family, excepting ~Rube,' VIII
is in Somerset, are reported missing.
Clark Benford and wife were carries
IRON one building to another by the wa
ter both were saved
A passenger train on the P. Il. r. from
the east came dashing around the cury
inst a few rods f.om tire Johnstown sta
ton. and ran into the sea ahead. Moth
ing has yet been learned Of the train o
its passengers. All are supposed to hav
perished. Freight cars from the s & {
were carried down into the heart of tn
town, and are still standing there.
viii Endsley and Foster Walter sougil
shelter on the roof Of the Hubert Ilous
when that building was swept from un
der them. They swan across the stree
to the Louther building and were save
Nothing has been learned of Ferg Pai
ker or Russell Uhl.
A young son Of John Kifer, OF somel
SET who is employed in Johnstow
livery stable, saved his life ly holdinI