Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-04
The Allegheny.

ALLEGHENY JUNCTION. River l6 feet and rising.
Cloudy and cold. thermometer 200.
That the people along the rivers were
badly frightened at the big rise in the waters
is proven by the large number of kilograms
that found their way to the Pittsburg and
Cincinnati Packet Line wharfboat. Scores
of people from every direction, but more
especially down the Ohio, anxiously in
quired if the flood would probably continue
or if everything was safe. All the tele-
grams were answered, aud fears of serious
floods were thus allayed. >
The twin rivers kept up their rise very
slowly until an early hour yesterday morn
ing, when the gauges registered % feet
inches, which is several feet below the dan
ger line. However, it was close enough to
cause great fears, and in fact did considerable
damage along its banks. The ice was a
great drawback to navigation and did con-
siderable damage to all boats that found it
necessary to be out. The buckets on the
wheels were ground into splinters by coming
in contact with the floating ice and had to
be repaired as soon as the boats got to their
landings.
The Scotia, of the Pittsburg and Cincin-
natl Packet Line, was delayed "a hours on
account of fog, and did not arrive until yes
terday, and she was badly crippled BY using
up the buckets on her wheel. Even this
speedy little steamer found it hard to make
time against the big river, but she succeeded
in getting in and out yesterday.
ALONG THE BANKS OF THE ALLEGHENY.
The greatest part of the ice came out of
the Allegheny's little tributary streams,
which were broken up on account of the
rain. 1t was quite heavy at times and was
the cause of considerable damage. The
boatmen were the only people who suffered
on this score.
The Pttsburg and Western Railroad
Company was badly crippled by the high
water, as their tracks In Allegheny were
entirely submerged and they were compelled
to use the tracks of the West Penn to get
into the city at ALL The food caught them
with numerous loaded cars on their side
tracks aud it has been impossible to get at
them SO far. Even though the waters are
receding the tracks are lett in an uncertain
state and much more damage may have
been done than was at first thought. Every
thing is covered with ice and as the surface
appears, dozens of workmen are set at work
preparing the tracks tor use.
Several mills along the river banks were
compelled to partially suspend operations
on account of the overabundaDce of river
water taking possession. As the water is
rapidly going down, they all expect to re-
sumo work tomorrow in full force. Several
residents and merchants in the lower end OF
the city removed the goods from their eel
lars, fearful that the water would reach
them. Though the sewers were backed up
in some of the places, the damage was not
Very heavy.
THE WATERS SLOWLY RECEDING.
The river was stationary for several hours
after the height of % feet inches was
reached, and then it began slowly to recede.
For time the fall was scarcely perceptible,
but later on a difference could be noticed,
and last night at O'clock the marks re-
corded q feet. The fall will probably be
more marked after a lew feet have dIsap-
peared. There Is no doubt but that the fall
is sure now, as it is slated to be colder to-
day. The coalmen will take advantage OF
the opportunity to send great amount OF
coal to the Southern markets. Should a
rise come every week., the coalmen would
be ready to send out several towboats.
Captain Carlton Cable. mate of the ill
fated Annie Roberts, arrived in the city yes
terday and Immediately reported to the
office of Horne & Roberts. He told the
story of the accident as it was reported yes
terday. All the bodies were recovered with
the exception OF that of Bennie Lawson, col
ored, which is thought to have foated down
the river. The relatives and friends Of the
dead boatmen besieged the Office of Horne
& Roberts yesterday inquiring as to the par
ticulars OF the accidents.
All the men except one belonged in this
city or Allegheny. Their bodies will be
brought here for burial. The damage to the
boat was not larger than at first estimated.
1t will brought to Pittsburg in few days.