Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-19
THE ALLEGHENY BOTTOMS.

Residents Therein Not Suffering Much
How Relief Was Distributed to Them
During the Day-The Damage to Prop
erty Large but UnascertainabIe.
Most concern centered yesterday in now
the residents of the submerged districts of
Allegheny Jared since being cut off from
communication with ordinary supplies.
In the section extending from Federal
street to the Ohio river, and leading inland
half square beyond Rebecca street. it was ex-
pected that much suffering would follow the
enforced imDrisoAment of the residents This
feature OF the result of the flood was inves-
Iigated, in the district named. by 4 DISPATCH
reporter, who traversed The district in a skiff
and pair of gum boots. Generally it was
found, that there was no absolute want or
suffering, most Of the housed-uD familieS-with
a recollection of lSS4-having provided for the
emergency. In some places there was enough
food on hand to last for q hours. but there was
a general shortage of coal, implying that cold
rations were the order of the day in most
instances. But families were talked with who
were in urgent need of bread ard many had
need of meat to carry them through the ordeal
In this district. in which there cannot be less
than l,5U0 families hemmed in. il was found
that the majority had enough food in the house
TO last until to-day, but after that, if the water
does not recede, or energetic steps for their rs-
lief are not taken, there will be undoubted suf.
feTlnC.
Distributed 1000 LOaves OF Bread.
Chief Murphy. acting under instructions
from Mayor Wyman, yesterday morning dis
trlbuted 1900 loayes il this district and alleyi-
ated. to q great extent, the apprehensions of
the people.
Tell Mayor Wyman and Chief Murphy. ~
said one resident. from a story window, in
reply to the question as to whether he had food
enough. THAT the Robinson street people re-
turn them their sincere thanks. We would
have gladly pad for what we got, but we had
Nc.pfrr 4syarrsN
This is the general sentiment in the district
There was much aversion to receiving "char-
ity." as some of the residents designated the
contributions of relief sent around They were
all willing to get out and help themselves. but
were without means. They forget that it was
JUST for this reason that The Mayor acted so
promptly in the emergency. Last evening there
was another distribution Of bread made, and
another will follow this morning. The increas-
ing GOODNESS Of the weather viii cause more
suffering than the want of food, as the gas has
been cut off anG the supplies of coal in the cell
lars are unavailable. Three or four men YES
terday had small flats of coal which they poled
around and sold for 10 cents per very small
bucket
How are you faring?" asked THE DIS
PATCH reporter Of a man who was gazing in
vacant way at the unusual waters.
He Demanded Clean Water.
"An right. but if you could get the Mavor to
send me some clear water it would be better.n
This was the extent of this mans trouble.
In many places the CenizenS were getting
less and avaied themselves of the house tops
ami porches as an exercising ground. One
pretty girl stood ont in relief against the gray
sky looking down from the roof on the pros
pect below, and another young lady stood on
the chair in the doorway to catch a glimpse of
what was passing.
Not much was done in the shape OF traffic,
except 10y the skIffs which. every now and
then, called at a house foE the inmates or re-
stored them from a trip abroad. Rats were
poled down streams, but sustained frequent
upsets. and were not successful means of loco
motion.
Toward evening the current became stronger
as the water receded, and at Allegheny was
running with the velocity of a mill race AT
SIX O'Clock the food had subsided lust IA
inches as indicated 10y mark at the corner of
Federal and Robinson streets.
want anything" was Queried Of an old gen.
tleman sitting at top story window.
Doing well" he replied but would feel
the better of paper ana quart of whisky"
In tue entire OF the district canvassed she in
habitantS were taking matters very philosoph.
jcally. and even cheerIly The feminine
section of the community expressed regret only
at not having enough pie and candy TO help the
time along.
Regarding the damage done the residences
and works in this section it was impossible TO
obtain any clear account. The half hundred
business houses on Federal street in possession
OF the waters sustained damage to amounts
rapginC from 500 to 81 900. One ieweler stated
his loss would be 500. aud poolroom pro-
prietor estimated his loss at S2O0 pripcipalIy
from lack of trade. The Sidewalk before Nos
8 and subsidized, and the houses were roped
OH Tor safety. Generally the owners had re-
moved the majority OF their stocks to upper
floors.
River Avenue Property Baptized.
At River avenue the water was eight feet
deep, submerging to the upper sashes of the
ground floor windows the old Bradley woolen
mill, and flooding the Porter Machine Com
pany's works, HaTrington'S hrass foundry the
Cbautauqua Lake Ice premises. Tie Pitts
burg Western yards were obliterated, a soli-
tary locomotive and a few overturned cars
alone testIfyinE to the fact of their existence.
What damage has been done here can only be
estimated Generally the nature of the busI-
ness hereabouts conducted is not perishabIe
most damage being due to accumulation of
mud and debris, as well as the incidental hurt
to machinery and brass works
An effort to ascertain the extent to which the
manufacturing plants in this section had suf-
fered was unavailing. The river ran SO swiftly
over Rebecca street that few cared to venture
along it. and this may account for the fact that
all the mills were deserted. Here along were
Smith Bros axle works, Wiley Bros n
Francis & Co.'s. a. b. Enos & Co.'s Euwer q
karsake. James OmsIaer. John ShouD. Heck
ert & NcKain and F. ]. Kress' lumber wards. a
considerable portion of the contents of winch
Seated ia very on-hand manner down stream.
Tie La Belle Steel Works, Lindsay d McCutcb-
cons. Jennings, Brown & Co., and the other
establishments on the Ohio end were deserted
by the food which poured through them