Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-18
MANY NARROW ESCAPES.

Bursting of . Big Dam ut Mahoney City,
Pa, Causes Great Damage.
MAHoNEY CIT, Pa, June 18.-The damage
done by the bursting of the water companys
dam last night Is found to be not 10 great as at
first reported. No lives have been lost, although
some narrow escapes were made. The route of
the food was down the valley from Park Place
70 the north Of the town. In its course
the valley widened, and besides the
food had to contend with several
large embankments. striking the three rail
Had IL not been for these there would be a sad
tale to report Of immense damage to property
and great loss of life. As il was the branch line
Of the Lehigh Valley from this point to Park
Place on the main line was almost completely
torn MP.
considerable distance, and through travel by
that route is cut of for the present, transfel
being made around the washout The Reading
branches 10 its collieries In the valley are also
torn up or covered with debris. The food in
its course struck the little mining village
Of Robinson in the valley, and although
no lives were lost many people are rendered
homeless by the washing away Of some
Of the houses and the unsafe condition of others
The Reading railroad runs through Mahoney
City, one square back Of the principal business
thorou9hfare, and the main street Is arched By
~
from greater damage, as 1t turned the force Of
the flood to the west. The water came dow
Main street, however, in . perfect torrent
sweeping all lighter obstacles before il ani
spread over three-fourths Of the town, flooding
IL cellars in residences and business houses il
bhalf the principal portions of the town. TIT
streets are blocked with debris, many feet higf
In places, and a couple Of hundred men andscore
Of teams are busy clearing up the place. Tn
wster supply Of the city IL cut of, bu
arrangement will be completed by this after
noon 70 remedy this. That there was not grea
loss Of life is remarkable, but the timely warn
ing given prevented this, as the people al
rushed for the bills, and the loss 10 confined h
property and railroad. II viii be Monday be
Tore the Lehigh can run over its own line
sxin. Tho collieries In the way Of the washint
6ood were saved from ruinous flooding by tn
debris blocking the opening TO the mines ane
turning the water away:
By next week the half dozen coilieries af
Tested will be open again and in working order
The Reading company 10 affected ct its Nortl
schuylkin and Mahoney collieries, whils Lentz
Lilly Co. are equal losera
! The dam was one Of the three owned by tn
Mahonsy City Water Company. 1t was bull
twenty years ago. 1t broke Ave years after
/ was built, and hns long been considered unsafe
Workmsn bad been repairing il some days an,
only left half hour % before before j; pay CAV
ito Mahonsy City were aware Of n
unsafe condition and hence were quick TO &c
/ out Of the way vhsn the warning came by NEE
sengsrs, vhasslss blowing, guns firing, &C., tn
railroad embankments aiding in the escape b.
DELAYING ths food The dam averages q
present Is feet deep, coo feet across an
900 feet long, holding 5000 100 gallon
/ Of water. The electric light and O. work. q
stopped, bat win be running tonight III
1 quantity Of trees, stumps, boards, lo(s, poles
Boxes and household furniture distributed 4
voudsxfal.
No real destitusion thas win require outsdd
| aid b kksly 10 snsua.