Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-07-22
ALONG POND CREEK,
Where the Clouds Met and the DeIuge Was
Born.

Born.
Special Tlt0rdm 10 the Reoister.
BRLLEvILLE, w. VA, July 2l.-The
waters of Pond creek have receded, and
the work Of destruction in this narrow
valley can now be plainly seen. All day
long additional reports of disaster have
come in from the surrounding country,
and although the death list is not in
creased, the less to properly it is now
known. will run far up into the ters OF
thousands. In the whole valley, some
fifteen miles long, there is not left store,
or bridge, or mill that was within reach OF
the raging torrent, and dozens Of arm
houses stand on their foundations in an
almost ruined condition.
l. is evident from the latest reports that
the heaviest loss was located on the head
waters of Pond, Sandy and Tucker
creeks. Fifteen miles back from
the Ohio river, near the point
wkere Jackson, Wood and Writ
counties come together stands high noun
tain range known ss Limestone Hill. Il
is a PERCEPTIONS elevation, forming the wa
ter shed for the surrounding country. On
the south Sandy Creek flows off toward
the Ohio river and empties its water st Rs-
yensSood. Pond Greek drains the west
side, and flows through low narrow val
ley to the Ohio at this point. Tucker
Creek springs FROM the eastern base, and
empties into the Little Ksnawha river at
Elizabeth. Flom the top of the mountain,
the beholder can look down into each of
these valleys, and it was here that the
work of destruction began. Late on Thurs
day evening heavy rain storm swept
over all that section Of country.
The storm center lowered about the
peaks of Limestone Hill. An eye
witness of the scene, said two dark
heavy clouds seemed to approach the sum-
nit, one from the East and the other from
the South. They met, overlspped zach
other and in an instant the rain c.me
down in solid sheets. The deluge poured
for over two hours. The creeks rose in an
incredibly short space Of time, and solid
waves of water carried everything before
them. Pond creek rose at the rate OF
foot minute until thirty feet Of water
overhowed the banks and filed the valley
from hill to hill. The torrent retained
this height for over two hours, and then
began 10 recede slowly. In that time
eyery house in the lowlands of the stream
was either swept away or irrepara6ly
ruined. Michael Boso's large grist mill,
three and half miles from the mouth, was
one of the first to 60. The building was
washed from its foundations and the wreck
carried down the flood. The county
bridge at the same place and the school
house were also destroyed. Farther down
the creek, was the grist mill CT Thomas
Smith. Two OF the Smith boys and two
Boso boys were in it when the torrent
came. At first thsy paid little attention
to the rapidly swelling waters, but at last
they were surrounded and became alarm
ed. One of the Smiths waded out II safe
sy, bat the rest refused TO follow him. tu'
a few minutes the mill was lifted from its
foundation, and the three young men
thrown into the water. They struck out
for the shore. Two Of them reached 1t,
but Edward Boso was struck by floating
timbsra, knocked senseless and drowned.
OOlOmOu Dlduam llNSu ~ 10" LA.ASo "DS'N
Boso's mill. His farmhouse is situated on
raised plat of ground, back from the
creek, but the flood reached it. His
barn, contsining his grain, his
outhouses and kitchen were washed OIL,
while the family we're forced to take
refuge in the upper stories and narrowly
escaped with their lives Braham's crops
we're ruined, his supplies washed away,
and in the morning the rain soaked family
were not able to find food for even a
scanty breakfast James Shannon was
another heavy loser. His barn, out
houses and horses were carried off, and ne
ia left nearly destitute. Ga Jerry's run,
small tributary of Pond, the damage is
equally rs heavy. John Flynn, pros
porous farmer, lost his barn and four foe
horses. S. G. BOsO's store was flooded
and bis stock ruined. Farther up on
Pond Capt. Kings store was struck by the
flood and a thousand dollars worth OF
damage done.
These are few of the incidents that are
reported on every hand. At least six
bridges on Pond creek are swept
away, and several others injured beyond
repair. Schoolhouses and churches are
gone, crops ruined, and the roads cut to
pieces. The loss will run far up into the
if not hundreds of thousands,
though no accurate estimate OF the total
can be formed at this hour.