Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-02-19
Notes Concerning the Deluge, Gathered up
About Town.


the State Fair Grounds went out early
Yesterday. There was report that the
grand stand had gone out with the rest,
but it was an error.
A good many merchants who had
goods piled up in the streets through
ont the wholesale district, had TO move
the stuff second time yesterday after
noon and last night.
Persons living in the flooded district
should be very careful of the illnmln-
ating and natural gas. Meters and other
fixtures are apt to be disconnected or
broken, allowing gas 10 escape.
Chief Haley had to move two or
three fire alarm boxes yesterday TO
keep them out of the wet. These boxes
cost about Sl25 each, and they are con-
sequently worth taking care OF.
The gas went out at the Stamm House
at half-past ten o'clock last night, sim
ultaneouSly with the advent Of the river
into the front office Candles and gum
boots were called into requsitiOn at
once.
House Il Hermann had force at
work until half past ten last night re-
moving furniture stored on Twelfth
street to a place Of safety. A big lot OF
it was stacked up at the National Bank
of West Virginia.
There was about four feet of water in
the Niagara engine house last night.
The engine, reel and other property OF
the department was removed during the
dav, the engine being stored i'm the hook
and ladder house.
In times of flood the Island people are
first thought of as sufferers. The fact
is. that the residents in the Sixth and
Eighth wards, as well as 4 good many
people in the Fifth, are more exposed
than most Island folks.
A cow belonging to Pat. Coppinger
created a good deal of mingled amuse-
ment and excitement on the South Side
yesterday afternoon, by swimming over
a large section OF that part OF the CITY,
towing calf with her.
The most common Salutation on the
Island last evening was not, "llow fast
is she rising?" but GLOW much more
can YOU stand?" The citizen who had
a few inches of space between his house
hold goods and the drink was much
enved.
The top of the marks at the wharf.
which only extend up to forty feet, dis
appeared from sight at about quarter
before seven yesterday morning. No
one had the forethought to stick up a
board with the continuation Of the
marks painted on it. and as a result
IL 1aal If had
during the rest of the day.
It's the general sentiment that the
present flood is one OF the most ineXplic-
able phenomena of that particular kind
on record. OF course there was enough
rainfall to make a big river, but with
the headwaters of the MonOngahela.
quiescent IL seems hardly possible that
the Allegheny, even though reinforced
by the Youghiogheny, the COnemaugh
and the Beaver, could put out enough
water to make 4i feet 10 inches at
Wheeling.
Owners of steamboats, ought to keep
their craft as quiet as possible in times
of extreme flood Last night several
shots were fired by Island people at the
pilot of boat who persisted in moving
his craft around, and there was good
deal of Indignation which would have
certainly cropped out in fOrcible form
had the boatmen been within reach.
The waves sent in by the steamer burst
open doors in flooded residences, rocked
buildings, and threatened serious dam
age in several instances.
A peculiar feature of flood such as
was on deck yesterday, is the way 1t
Gibbs and flows in streets, yards and 9TH
er sheltered places. A crowd was gath
cred on Main street, at the corner OF
alley 9, last night, watching this antic.
The water would run out down Main |
street for about five minutes, leaving |
exposed large areas of street formerly !
covered. Then, after pause OF mo- |
ment, the current would come swelling |
in again, each succeeding wave cover
ing a little more OF previously dry pave
ment. 1t took about eight minutes for
wave to ebb and flow again, and the
operation was aS regular As clock work.
All the potteres about East Liver |
pool were from three to five feet under
water yesterday. The damage 10 the !
nine potteries will be from 500, 900 to !
S30,O 900. The water works are flooded !
OUT the pumps were kept going until |
the rising water put the fires out under |
the boilers. The steam engines were !
then placed at the river and are pump- |
ing direct into the mains. All water |
was shut off from factories, and only |
private house consumers were allowed. !
AT noon the river lacks but about four |
feet of the high water mark Of the great |
flood.
Mayor Seabright was photographed |
yesterday, standing in the water in |
front OF his place Of business.
Photographer Plummer took num-
Der of flood views on the Island yester-
day.
The funeral of Mr.. Martin Brady
took place yesterday morning, from his
late residence on South Wood street,
below Thirty-ninth. When the mem
bers of the family returned from
the cemetery their house was surround
ed by water, and they were unable to
reach it.
Last night the water poured into
Sweeney's foundry, and at midnight
there was about four inches on the
ground.
Wood Bros. planning mill had a close
call. At midnight the water lacked but
eight inches of reaching the floor, and
the members Of the firm feared that it
would float off.
There are about one hundred and fifty
at the Western Union Office !
for people living in the flooded districts.
II the people will call for them it will !
save great deal Of trouble.
Tuesday night a bartender at shorts
saloon fell off the bridge spanning the
new channel OF Caldwelrs Run, and had
a narrow escape from. drowning. Yes
terday morning, gentleman whose