The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-03-07
Great Flood Caused by Breaking
Dam at Bristol, Conn.
IT MADE A MIGHTY ROAR
The Torrent From the Reservoir Poured
Into the swollen River-The
Damage.

Bristol, Conn.,, March 1.-The greatest
flood in the history of Bristol swept
down the Pequaback valley this morn
ing. spreading ruin and desolation on
every hand.
The town of Bristol was a heavy suf-
ferer during the storm OF a few weeks
ago, when six men lost their lives,
but the waste of waters before day
light this morning eclipses all previous
records.
The heavy rain and melting snow on
the mountains swelled the basin of the
old Copper mine dam in Wiggsville. the
northern section of this town. until it
burst, tearing away 100 feet wide in the
granite masonry and letting volume
Of water covering rs acres and 40 feet
high, into the river below, which itself
was a roaring torrent.
The great body of water tore down
the valley with a roar that was heard
above the noise Of the storm for miles
away. For the first two miles there
were no buildings near the river, and
the water poured out on the marshes
and plains.
At Forestville, four miles below, peo-
pie living near the river were obliged
to abandon their residences, as the wa
ter broke into the lower stories. in
many cases before the inmates were
out of bed. The roar of the flood
aroused families for miles around.
The New England roadbed was I'M
dermined in many places. and wreck
| ing crews have been at work all day.
Hartford, March 1.-The great rain
storm which was in progress all day
Saturday, Saturday night and today.
| fhe tac Ia oa n
throughout the state known in 20 years
Many serious accidents, washouts and
wrecks were reported. The Connecticut
| river is swollen until 1T has reached a
point three times greater than its nor
NAL proportions. The big iron bridge
at Middleton was in great danger all
this afternoon, and portion OF the
false work was swept away, but the
main structure is still intact.
The bursting of the old Copper mine
dam in the town of Bristol this morn
ing caused the greatest flood ever
known in this section, and it is estimat-
ed the damage will reach over $100.00t
from this alone.
People living along the banks of the
Pequaback river We're obliged to leave
their homes in the darkness. and many
lost nearly everything they possessed
The tracks of the New England rail
way were washed out in many places
A bad freight wreck occurred earl,
this morning near Forestville. The en-
: CINE Of a special freight ran into I
: washout and was capsized. Severa
cars were smashed, and one of tn
train men was badly injured. The roa'
4 has been blocked all day.
At Brookline a well known mill own
er lost his life, and other accidents ar
reported from many sections.
New York, March 1.-The warm al
, most continuous rain of yesterday. las
night and today throughout New Yorl
state served to bring the frost out o
the ground break up the ice in tn
Hudson and smaller streams. and d
considerable damage to property b
flooding cellars and carrying ava
. bridges.
The traffic on many railroads has bee
" seriously delayed by washouts. and l
= q number of cities street car servic
has been suspended on account of hig
e water.