The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-06-05
DROWNED BY THOUSANDS
MANY TOWNS WIPED OUT OF EXISTENCE !
A Pennsylvania Reservoir Breaks With Horrible
Results-Hundreds Of Human Bodies Float
ing About the Countrywide Greatest
Disaser Upon Record.

rope was lowered 10 her, but she shook her
head and refused to desert the<ehildren. 1t
was rum0red that all three were saved AT Coke
vile, few miles below Bolivar
A later report from Lock port says that the
residents succeeded In rescuing 1--WE people
from the food, two women and three men.
One man succeeded in getting out Of the water
unaided. They were kindly taken care of by
the people OF the town.
A little girl passed under the bridge just be-
fore dark. She was kneeling on a part OF
floor, and her hands clasped as If in prayer.
Every effort was made 10 save her. but they all
proved futile The railroader, who was stand
ing by, remarked that the piteous appearance
OF the little waif brought tears to ht eyes.
All night long the crowd stood about the
ruins of the bridge which had been swept away
at Bolivar. The WAGER rushed past with n roar,
carrying with it parts of houses, furniture and
trees. The food had evidently spent its force
up the valley No more living persons were
being carried past Watchers with lanterns
remained along the the banks until daybreak,
when the first view of the awful devastation
OF the food witnessed.
Along the hank lay the ruins OF what had
once been dwelling houses and stores. Here
and there was an uprOoted tree. Piles of drift
lay about, in some of which the bodies of
the victims OF the food will be found.
Rescuing parties are being formed
IN all the towns along the railroad
Houses have been thrown open 20 refugees,
uuu every possible means viii ut uScu 10 lllo-
tect the homeless. The wreckng trains OF the
Pennsylvania railroad are slowly making their
way east 20 the uBfOTtudate city
At = o'clock this morning they were held at
Bolivar. An effort was then being made 10 re-
pair the wrecks and the crews OF the trains
were organized into rescuing parties and an
effort will he made 10 send out mail train
this morning. The chances are they will get
no further east than Florence.
There Is absolutely no news from Johnstown.
nicatiOn with the outside world. The damage
done is inestimable. No one can tell its
extent. The Cambria Iron company's
works built on made ground. 1t
stands near the river, and many fear that
il has been swept away or greatly damaged.
The loss of these works alone will be in the
millions. The litsle telegraph stations along
the road are filled with anxious groups of men
who have friends and relatives in Johnstown.
The smallest item of news is seized upon and
circulated. If favorable, they have a moment
Of relief; II not, their faces become more
gloomy.
Harry Fisher. a young telegraph operator,
who was at Boliver when the first rush began,
says: I'VE knew nothing of the disaster
until we noticed the river slowly rising,
and then more rapi . News then reached
US from JohnstoWn that the dam at South Fork
had burst. Within three hours the water in
the riYer rose at least twenty feet. Shortly be-
fore o'clock ruins OF houses, beds, household
utensils. barrels and kegs came floating
past the bridges. At o'clock the
water was within six feet of the roadbed OF the
bridge. The wreck fioated past without stop
ping for at least two hours. Then IL began 10
lessen, and night coming suddenly upon us we
could see no more. The wreckage was float
ing by for a long time before the first
living person went down. Fifteen people that
! saw were carried down the river. One of
these, boy, was saved, and three OF them were
drowned iust below town. 10 was an awful
sight and ono that viii not soon forget"
Hundreds OF animals lost their lives. The
bodies of horses, dogs and chickens
fioated past The little boy who was
rescued at Bolivar had two dogs as
companions during his fearful ride The dogs
we're drowned Just before reaching the bridge.
One old mule swan past. Its shoulders were
all torn, butt was alive swept past the town.