Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-02

ing on the river bank at the lower
end of Beaver avenue just as a large
pile of rubbish floating rapidly by struck
an objection and careened over, bringing
into view human hand and leg extended
rigidly upward. The swirling food bore
them under the surface again before a
chance of rescue was afforded.
Clerk Hunnershagen, of the Mayors Of
fee, was busy all morning mailing special
requests TO all the Allegheny City minis
tiers asking that special collections be taken
up in all the churches to-day for the benefit
of the sufferers. 1t is believed that the re-
sponses will be hearty and productive of q
large sum. An immense business was done
at the toll-bridges, the whole available pop
ulation seeming bound for Pittsburg and
the freshest news of the disaster.
Big Losses on the West Penn.
Superintendent Kirkland started for
Blairsville on a train at 3:15 P. NJ. for the
purpose of directing the large force of men
concentrated at that end of the road. Be-
fore he left het assured a DISPATCH re-
porter that the actual loss 10 the West Penn
Railroad would approximate $500, 900, with
out taking into account the damage done to
a large extent of roadbed, at that time en-
tirely submerged, or the losses resulting
from the stoppage of traffic. At that hour
trains were being run only as far as Tunnel
ton. The fullest information was given by
the official of the road in charge of Mr..
Kirtland's Office. 1t seems that the double
bridge, having in its center short tunnel,
has been swept away, thus preventing access
by rail or wire to Blairsville Telegraphic
communication with the latter place was
secured by wire from Allegheny to Hill
Junction. thence relayed by an engine to
In hv 20 fbo
terminus
Based on West Penn Dispatches.
"Our idea of the food" said'the official,
'is based on dispatches from our operators
all along the line. The great flood OF
water followed the bed of the Conemaugh
river from the reservoir 21l miles above
South Fork to Johnstown. Just below
Johnstown a second flood simultaneously
came down Stony creek, caused by the
breaking of boom. The irresistible body
of water swept along the Conemaugh river
till it reached Salisbury, where the name
of the stream is changed to Kiskiminetas
This river then flows to Allegheny juno
tion, on the West Penn road, where it
joins the Allegheny river. AT Blairsville
ten cars of coal had been run out on the
bridge to steady it against the hood but
the torrent swept the bridge away like a
feather"
How John Siitt Died.
"John Stitt, young brakeman of the
road, son OF the oldest engineer on the line,
was on the bridge when it went down. Here
is dispatch Just received from the Blairs-
vile operator, stating that Stitt was heard
calling for help by people at Livermore,
four miles below BIairsville. But it is
pretty certain that he became exhausted
and met his death. We have telegraphed
all along the line, but have been unable to
hear of him. Stitt's sister started East on
the day express from Blairsville on Fri
day, and is supposed to have been in Johns
town at the time of the disaster. Nothing
can be learned of her either
Losses In Detail.
It is learned that the Blairsville bridge
was a howe truss affair. 400 long, with 200
feet of trestle approaches. Not vestige of
it remains and the loss is estimated at $685.
900. The Tunnelton bridge was 750 feet
long with tunnel in the center. It is also
total loss and 5000 is estimated as the
cost Of rebuilding. The large bridge at
West Leechburg was severely shaken by
the torrent Of water, but remains standing.
The track between Bolivar and Blairsville