The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-01

llltSDurR papers also sent out specials, Dul
up TO IL o'clock nothing reliable as 10 do.
tails OF the loss Of life or property had
been ascer,aned, The difficulty in send
ing press dispatches was overcome by an
expedient familiar to the Associated Press
in these trying times,
ORiciaI and Couarnlatory Dispatches.
PmLADELruIA, Pa, May3l. .- Allwircs ol
the Pennsylvania Railroad westoiWilmore,
station on the Pittsburg division, twenty.
five miles west Of Altoona, have been
down since 8 o'clock am, and conse.
quently the information in regard to the
break west of that place is very meager,
Enough has been learned, however, to
indicate that the rush of water is the worst
ever known in that section.
AT Broad Street Station the following
bulletin, for the Information OF travellers,
was posted about 8 o'clock: ION account
OF tho unprecedented storm prevailing in
the western part Of this State, the lines
west Of Altoona have been damaged; 10
what extent cannot be ascertained until
the water subsidies The storm is still rag
ing and II is thought no trains will be
passed until Sunday"
The Chicago limited express, which left
New York ut o o'clock this morning, the
fast line leaving there at the same hour,
and the train leaving that city at o'clock
last night, are all laid up at Altoona.
At 1890 O'Clock tonight dispatch was
received by General Manager Pugh, datol
Wilmore, from the conductor OF the east.
bound New York & Chicago limited,
which left Pttsburg at o'clock this
morning, saying the train was safe and
that all woro well on board. Mr.. Pugh
inferred from this that the limited was
laid mp somewhere west OF Iilys. The
conductor reported that the bridge nj
South Fork was washed away, and ex.
pressed the opinion that all the
bridges between South Fork and
Johnslown would bc swept away.
Tho Chicago 4 New York day ex.
press AMI all other cast-bound trains are
supposed TO be laid up between Cresson
and Pittsburg When Mr.. Pugh was
shown n copy Of the Associated Press dis
patch from Pittsburg, announcing the
breaking Of the dam near Johnston, hc
said that this report confirmed a dispatch
received from Wilmoro tonight which
stated that q man had reported 10 tho
Pennsylvania Railroad operator there tha,
the South Fork dam hnd broken anil Tho
water bad carried away the coal tippo"
aud telegraph tower ht Fork Station, and
also n portion Of an castbouud freight
train.
The telegraph operator, who was In tho
tower, managed 20 escape, but several OF
the train hands are reported TO have been
drowned.
The dam at South Fork, which Is said to
have bust with such terrible results, Is
described by gentleman acquainted with
the locality in which II was situated 10 bC
an immense bodyof water formerly used n
a water supply for tho old Ponnsylyaniu
canal. II has been owned Tor several year.
by a number Of pittsburg gentlemen VIII,
used Il as fishing ground. Tho gentle
man who gnvo this ir'nfmrNNr sa'a thp>i
the report OF the bursting Of the dam VA
true, hc had no doubt that the damng
and loss OF life was fully as great as indi
Gated in the dispatches
The conductor ol the cast-bound New
York limited express who reported thl
safety OF his train, also said report ha,
reached him NJ the breaking of the dam
lie said nothing Of tho damage caused
tntitnNs heutIhl NauAtti iuHu WIS on
Of town early In tho day, aud lac said .
night that ho could not understand wha
was meant when he received dispatcher
announcing damage to tho tracks a
Lillys.
"Such n thing had never boon heard o
before" said Mr.. Pugh tonight, "and
nothing short Of u water spout could hay,
caused such damage. Lillys is it'll,
mining town Of some 800 or 100 inhabi
tants. For the water 20 rise high enough
10 obstruct the passage Of tuini
is unprecedented. 4 dispatch just ~
cciyed 10y me says that the water il
rushing over the tracks at n hight Of nj
least five feet above the Toadbcd, aud this,
| say, could be brought about by nothing
short OF a waterpouL have 10 doubt
that II our operator NJ Song Hollow said hC
saw the bodies from Johnstown floating
down the river ns reported In the Asscci
atcd Press bulletin, that IL is true, as hi'
tower is located right on the bank Of IA,
river"
EitustIop nouTiS Growing woi.e.
puttADytpttfA. Pa. NAV n. - Dis