New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-14
DROWNED IN THE FLOOD
FATAL CLOUDBURST NEAR PITTsBURG

FIVE PERSONS KNOWN TO BE LOST AND A
DOZEN MIssING-A TERRIFYING STORM.
Pittsburg Aug 13-The darkness that lowered
over Pittsburg about o'clock this morning has
scarcely been surpassed. For short time the
business part OF the city almost as dark as at
midnight and not few tlmid people were ap-
palled at the unnatural spectacle. This was fol-
lowed by an electric storm. quite az terrifying,
and by heavy rainfall. which continued until
noon the precipitation measuring 1.So All over
the city sewers filed to overilowing, and ac-
cumulations Of mud and wreckage covered the
streets All Of the traction lines were brought 10
a staridsill but aside from this no serious INJURY
to life or property has been reported
AT the hamlet Of De Haven. on the Pittsburg
and Western Railway. seven miles from the city
five lives are known to be lost. while twelve per-
sons are missing and much damage to properly
was sustained The disaster was the result of a
cloudburst which came suddenly about O'Clock.
The darkness was something extraordinary. while
the thunder and lightning which accompanied the
rain was terrific. Pine Creek and other small
streams in the vicinity OF De Haven quickly De-
came torrents, sweeping everything before them.
The victims here number three, as follows: MIS-
James Poppleton. aged sixty years; Mrs james
t,n nrst-named leaves a husband and two chill
dren; Mrs. John Aud, widow aged seventy -'''e
years
The cIoudburst occurred at the junction OF
IaureI Head and Pine Creek. where the houses OF
lanes Robinson and Mrs. Aud We're situated.
The home Of Mrs Aud carried from the
foundations and wrecked In the torrent. Inc
Robinson house was carried away at the same
moment Robinson saved himself and two chil-
dren by jumping with them into the water anu
vading out The house wrecked when II
came in collision with the bridge. fifty yards De-
low and his wife and mother-in-aw were 'nro"n
into the stream and perished
The body Of Amel Shelter, fourteen years oi
age victim Of the storm, was taken from riiie
Creek. near Etna. late this afternoon. Ihe huae
body Of a man supposed TO have been drowned III
the storm was seen floating In the drii' i'll '"e Al
lcgheny River near Sherpsburg
The Plttsburg and Western bridge al fi"e
Creek as well as or two others were swept
away while portions Of the tracks were "as"eu
out in a number Of places
dwellings, stables fences and many domestic
animals were carried off by the rushing waters
When the storm subsded rescung forces organ
tied Fully a dozen people who were known 10 ne
IN tho vicinity where the worst damage was done
cannot he found. and It is probable tha' 'he"
,aroes will swell the list Of fatalities
Portions Of Sharpsburg and Etna were nooueu
and much damage to property was done
Jeannette Penn Aug. l3.-The fort fl'' ufi'"
broke AT II o'clock this morning noou'ns III"
town Houses on North Fourth-st were SUD
,,o,eod 70 the second floors many of the occu-
,orte hardly escaping with their lives The new
po,videre club house was badly damaged, as was
also the transfer company's stables and the Towh
1tau At Clav-ave and Sixth-st.. the business
norton Of the town. three feet OF water rusno"
through the streets. carrying everything peio'e
n doing much damage.