The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-26
MILLION DOLLAR LOSS
Caused by the Flood in the MOnon-
gahela Valley.


PITTSBURG, Pa, July 25.-The great
food in the Monongahelea valley,
which is sweeping down stream, will
cause the rivers here to reach stage
of % feet this evening which will be
sufficient water to flood the lower dis
tricts in both cities. The general con-
ditions throughout the Monongahelea
valley is critical. The lower end OF
McKeesport Is flooded and foot more
Of water at the present writing will
reach many of the warehouses along
side the banks at that city. Braves
burg Is undated, the water reaching
the second stories of many of the
houses, the locks and dams of the
Monongahelea navigation company are
all under water and at some of the
lock houses the water has almost
reached the second stories. This last
rise was caused by cloudbursts and
heavy rains at the head Of the Monon-
gahelea. In many places they were
the heaviest known in twenty-five
years. It is difficult at this time to
place the amount of damage which will
be incurred by reason of the flood, but
it will probably reach $1,000,0 900.
The water from the fool today did no.
reach the height which was expected.
stage of twenty-five Feet was looked for but
1T did not go above tTonty-three. The high
water mark was reached about s O'Clock this
evening. In this vicinity the only damage
was to cellars in the low streets OF Allegheny.
Early In the forenoon the tracks OF the
PittSburg & Western railway were flooded.
The stage of water reaching them was twenty
feet, and this was attained at noon. All The
denizens Of the low streets In Allegheny were
busy all morning moving their goods TO the
upper stories.
More injury was done in McKeesport than
in this city. At 2 O'Clock in the afternoon
the water began to creep into the warehouse
- &1,O nnryn Tcnd nFlry'1 mill
water rose so swiftly that the warehouse was
flooded as we'll as all the departments Of
the mill lying lower than it on the river
bank. 1t was estimated at o'clock last
evening that the loss IN this mill alone
would amount to SIS, 0O0
The twenty-eight furnaces Of this mill were
all in blast. Every one Of these furnaces
were killed, with the metal in them. BY )
O'Clock the water began to come into the
mills Of the National Tube works. Work
was suspended. The McKeesport waterwurks
was compelled to shut down at 230. All
engines had been killed by water in the
fire boxes. Many houses in the low parts Of
McKeesport and Homestead were flooded in
their lower stories. In McKeesport The
water came up into Market street and Second
avenue Boats were pressed into service
early.
At Glassport a short distance above Nc
Keesport the new works of the productive
coal plant were submerged. The water put
out the fires, and everything was compelled
to close. Fifteen barges and boats broke
loose from their mornings in the second pool,
and were carried down the river. They col
lided with bridge piers and were sunk. 1t is
estimated that $4,000 bushels of coal went
down with these barges. The tipple and five
barges Of the Fox Coal company, in the fifth
pool were washed away. The loss is esti-
mated at SIS, 900.
In all the towns along the Monongahela,
more or less damage was done. The houses
in the low parts of Homestead, Dravosburg
Port Perry, Braddock and adjacent towns
were inundated. No lives were lost, but
there was considerable injury everywhere to
furniture.
Special reports received from up the river
at o'clock in the afternoon showed rain had
ceased at all points east during the day.