West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-06-06
HIS THRILLING STORY.
Engineer Henry Gives a Graphic De.
tcription OF the Great Flood.

Engineer Henry Gives a Graphic De.
tcriptton OF the Great Flood.
N. b. Henry, engineer of tho second Sec
tion OF Express Train No. =, which runs be,
tween Pittsburgh and Altoona, was at Cone,
maugh when the great food came sweeping
down the valley. He was able to escape 10 a
place OF safety. His was the only train that
was not injured, even though it was In the
midst OF the greit wave. Tho story. as re.
lated by Mr. Henry was tho most graphic
THE scene which 1 witnessed was the most
awful sight human eyes ever gazed upon.
No brush can picture the terrible scene TO
see that immense voume OF water rushine
madiy down the valley sometimes fully so
feet high, sweeping everything before II was
soul-thrilling sight
1.-THE second section OF No. 8, on which
was, Is due at Johnstowu about IO;t5 I'm the
morning. We arrived there safely and were
told 10 follow the FIRST s,ctIon. When we mr..
rived at Conemaugh the first section and tn,
mail were there. Wash uts furthec nm the
mountain prevented our going on. The creek
at Conemaugh was swollen high, almost
overhowing ITS banks. The heavens were
pouring rain. But this did not pre- vent nearly
all the inhabitants Of the town from gather.
Ing along its banks. They watched tho wa,
ters 60 dashing by and wondered among
themselves whether tho creek would get
much higher. But IA few inches more and it
would oyerf)w its banks. There seemed TO
be strange feeling Of uneasiness I'm the
breasts of the psople. They seemel to fear
gOnofhfNO axvftfl g.
These suspicious were strengthened by tn,
fact that warning had come down tbs
valley for the peop'e to be on the lookout
The day passed. of slowly, however. Noon
came and went, and still nothing happs sned.
We could not proceed, nor could we 20 tack.
as the tracks about a mile below Consmaugh
had just been washed away. So there was
nothing for US 10 do but wait and see whit
would come next. Some time after o'clock
on Friday afternoon ] went into the train
dispatcher's Office 70 find out the latest news.
had not boen there long until / hsard n
fierce whisting from an engine away up the
mountains felt that something was coni-
ing, Rushing outsi Ie l fouui doz ms OF
others standing around. They apparel help
less Fear had blanched every cheek. The
loud aud continued whistling had ma 10 ev,
cry one feel that something serious was go~
Dg TO happen. In a few m nute5 l could
near train rat ling down the mountain
AN AWFUL SUSPENSE
About 500 var Is above Conemaugh the
tracks mad slight curvs. We could not
see beyound this The suspsnss WIS some
Thing awful We did not know waat was
co ming. But no one could get rid OF the
thought that sometbin, was wrong at tho
dam. Our suspense was not very long, how-
ever. Ne7rer and olrer we could hear tho
train coming, the laundering sound accomp-
anyiug IL making evcryone's heart stand still.
Th,rs seemed % be something behind Il, NJ
there was dull, rumbling sound which ]
knew did not como from trains. Soarer and
nearer IL came. A moment more and Il
would roach the curve
The next instant thoro burst upon our
eyes a sight that mado every hoart stand
still. Rushing around the curve, snortiug
and teariug along Ike = fiery, untamed stocd &,
camo an engine aud several cars. Tho train
appeared TO bs putting forth every effort 70
90 faster. Nearer Il oamo bclchinZ forth
snok and whi,tling long and loud Butbo
most terrible sight was 20 follow. Scarce
twenty feet behind camo sorglng long n
mad body Of water fully 80 feot high. Like
the train it, too, seemed putting forth every
effort 10 push along faster. II seemed os a
nal eucd lion tearing after bis prey. For
an ninstant the people scomed paralyzed with
horror They knew not what todo. But I'm
moment thoy realized that a seconds delay
meant death 10 tbom. With one accord
they rushed 70 tho highlands fow
hundred feet away. Most Of them succeeded
in reaching ths highlands, aud most Of them
wero accordingly saved. bethought mys u
of the passengers ia my train. The second
section OF No. 8 bad thros sieepcrs In these
three cars there goro about 80 people.
Through tho train I rushed crying to tho
people 10 save themselves. Here n scene OF
the widest con usiou followed. I succeeded
in helping some ladies and children on the
train. Tie track was about seven feet high.
or tho surr unding country. 7 holpsi tho
ladies down tho bank and stayol until the
water began running IN my shoes Thea !
q Rht Up two children md ran for my life
deposited my load 10 safety on tho high
land Just e tbe food ssspt pssl our sralu.