New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-12
sWEPTDOWN BY THEFLOOD
RAvAGEs OF THE STORM IN PENNSYLVANIA.
FOUR LIVES LOST AND PROPERTY WORTH HALE
A MILLION DOLLARS DEsTRoYED-DRIvEN
FROM THEIR HOMES BY THE RISE


Pittsburg, May 1l.-RepOrts Of damage by lass
nights terrible storm coming in to-day from all
parts Of Allegheny County, In fact from nearly every
place IN Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. Tho
loss, however, cannot be approximated at this time
Farms were washed out, houses, fences and trees
along the banks Of streams were swept away and
landslides occurred nearly every road leading out
Of Pittsburg. So far four deaths from drowning
have been reported Two children Of Conrad Schaefsr
ago three and seven years. respectively, Of Spring
Garden borough, north Of Allegheny swept away
by tho flood, and Mr.. and Mrs schaefer narrowly
escaped from meeting the same fate Their house IL
near the bank Of Butchers Run, the scene OF the
fghtfu disaster OF fifteen years ago, when 200 per-
sons were swept TO death by the waters When hs
banks overfowed last night the Schaeter house was
moved from its foundation and the family sought shel
ter under some trees. IN running out Of the house
tho children, both girls we're caught by the current
and carried away. Mrs. schsefer became 50 frantic
on seeing her children In the Run that she got In the
water, too and was almost drowned. Tho bodies Of
the children were recovered A physician was called
to see Mrs. schaefer, who was removed to a neigh
bor's house. but II Is thought she viii not recover
Two other children in the family were saved. ons
ooy seventeen years old, who had his leg broken two
weeks ago, compelled to remain in the house.
Another boy escaped from the house and was saved
by holding TO a fence.
This morning, Esstst. and Madisonaye.' IN tho
Butchers Run district complete wrecks. while the
huhOerless cross streets arc completely filed with
DEBRIS cars lying the tracks unable be moved
and completely hemmed in by plankng and rubbish.
The water in the fast that the residents
teared repetition Of the disaster Of 1874, and
rs the fist shock passed away and the terrified in
haoitans caught their breath they Immediately made
preparations to vacate the premises Every effort
was made to the furniture on the first fooFz
While the water washed and pashed In the cellars bo
low Rivulets, brown-colored and dirty, dashed Into
the cellar windows A large number OF butchers
were heavily damaged. Their slaughter-houSeS wers
ruined, while their stocks Of meat destroyed.
Louis Zolers case Of many At early
hour this morning he secured all the hands he could
get, fOated his wagons before the door and speedily
hled them up Shoeess and hatless and their
roed above their knees the perspIrng workmen pod-
ded and waded through the slime and almost knee
ae.p and transferred tho meat.
The same tale Of terror and destruction comes
from sawmil Run, Woods Run, Charters Valley,
tho West End, South Side Pleasant Valley and Law
rencevIle districts
The lightning played havoc all night long. The
stable belonging TO Fred Hampke, Mount Oliver
was struck and consumed Fourteen horses and tws
COWS were burned. The loss Is $4,000. A South
side strcetcAr caught bolt. Tho passengers were
stunned but seriously hurt Telegraph and
telephone wires dssrransod throughout a l&rse
section of country. This morning trains late
on all the roads, but all wcro open and RAINING
cspt the Washington, Penn branch Of the Baltimore
anil Ohio.
The rainfall nearly three Inrhes In three hours
and the Ohio River three feet IN many hours.
The bodies of two men, victims of last nights
aoOd, we're found this morning, makisg four deaths
so far reported. The body Of John poughorty was
discovered at the mouth Of eUlVert AZ Woods Run.
wedged la between some loSs. lie len rs homo
shortly after midnlsht to see hsT high The ya,s.
banks of the swollen stream when he was struck
and carried away by bridge, which had been swept
from It's foundations. lie was hfty-two years old and
married.
The second tatslity occurred in the Butchers Run
district. John COciuer went down in tho cellar Of
hts houso during the storm, and did not return
when the waters subsidized his body was found lying
In the coal vault.
While definite figures can DO given on the loss
al this time, It is safe 10 say that IL will rech ahaf
million dollars in this vicinity.
On the Pttsburg, McKeespOT and Youghlogheny
Railroad a freight train was wrecked by running into
a landslide and Patrick MiSke. brakeman,
Killed This makes i've death directly attributable 10
the flood.