The evening times., 1896-07-16
STATE DELUGED BY RAIN
Western Pennsylvania Suffers
Heavy Damage.
PITTSBURG BADLY HURT
Losses There and in Allegheny VIII
Amount to 5000, 900. II Not More.
Railway Traffic Seriously Inter
fered with-C1rcus Tent In New
York Wrecked.

Pittsburg, Pa, July 16.-The almost un-
precedeuted rain storm, which was gem
erai throughout western Pennsylvania last
evening, did not, so far as has been re-
ported, cause loss of life. There were
numerous narrow escapes from death
and the damage to property will be very
great.
Between the hours of TAO and 10
O'Clock l 3-4 inches of rain fell. In 20
minutes of this time one inch fell, break
ing the record in this vicinity, excepting
the memorable cloudburst in 1874, when
176 people Were swept away.
The greatest damage in Pittsburg was
on Butler street, opposite the Allegheny
cemetery. The cemetery at this point
was fenced by 10-foot stone wall. The
cemetery is long slope toward Butler
street, carrying the water against the
wall, which served as dam. The water
accumulated to a depth OF 8 feet behind
the wall and formed lake of formidable
proportions.
Just when the storm was raging most
furiousiy. and people We're terrified with its
fury. this stone wall, for a space of several
hundred feet, crumbled, and huge wave
leaped across Butler street. overw hclIning
the houses opposite the cemetery. a NUN.
ber OF buildings were moved from Their
foundations and others were damaged be-
yond repair. None escaped damage. and
from 4SO5 to 1917. Inclusive, all were rem
dered unsafe for occupancy.
A number of bridges in various parts OF
the city were badly damaged. and almost
| every thorougbfare was blocked with de-
brs. In A Allegheny the damage is variously
estimated ut from $3.50 900 TO $500. 900.
A number of houses located on the hill
sides. overlooking the city. Were swept
from their foundations and their occu-
pants tcrrorized. Streets We're torn up or
covered with landslides, while bursting
sewers in several localities added to the de-
structiOn.
Every street car line in both cities was
tied up for hours. On some OF the lines
the damage to the roadway will require
! days to repair.
| All the railroads entering the city suf
| fered more or less damage and delay, and, in
some instances, traffic was entirely sHs-
pended. In the vicinity of Turtle Creek, OF
] the Pennsylvania railroad. the DANA ge
| will amount to about S25.0G0. .
Estimates place the damage in Pittsbure
and Allegheny at about $500 900. Latel
reports may add considerable to this esti
mate Both the Allegheny and Monosahela
Rivers are rising rapidly. Yesterday wa'
very warm. This morning tie air is COO
and bracing.
CIRCUS OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
New York, July 16.- Bentley's big
circus tent, located on the block bounded
by 99th and Tooth streets, and
First and Second avenues, was blow n
own and utterly wrecked by the ferc,
gale that blew across the city at O'Clock
this morning.
Twenty-Five men were in the m ems
dressing tent, and there were ten womer
In the womeD's tent. All were sount
asleep when the storm broke. There was
a flash of lightning, accompanied by {
terrific thunder crash, and then came tn,
| rush of wind. and in u moment the circu.
tent, with its appendages, was wrecked.
The men and women in the dressing tent
were awakened by the crash, and mo