Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-03-02
WETDESTRUCTION
Rain Works Havoc in Connect.
cut and New York.
WATERS OF A DAN BREAK LOOSE,

8ush Down ths Valley b . Wall Fsrsy
rsse High and Mako It UsPsssssas for
- Rsssdssts-Bristel, Csn.., lnaaAsssd
asd Mech Damage Dsas 1hrs1gheut Tie
STATE T. Railvsvs aaA DsiAgss-But Oss
Ilss Lsse = Far - Known.
BRISTOL, Conn, March 2-The greatest
0,od In the history Of Bristol swept down
tie Pequsback valley yesterday morning.
sprsading ruin and desolation on every
hand. The town Of Bristol was . heavy
sufferer during the storm Of . few weeks
ego when elk men Lost their lives, but the
waste Of waters before daylight yesterday
morning eclipses all previous records.
The heavy rain and melting snow on the
mountains swelled the basin Of the old
Copper Mine dam in Whiggsvillo. the
northern section OF this town. until it
burst tearing hole 100 feet wide in tho
granite masonry and letting a volume Of
water covering seventy-dve acres, and
forty feet high, into the river below, which
itself was . roaring torrent. The break
occurred about Q o'clock.
Comes Down the Valley with Rear.
The great body Of water tore down the
valley with . 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, people
living near the river were obliged to
sbandon their residences. as the water
broke into the lower stories before the in
mates were out Of bed. The roar Of the
Hood aroused families for miles around,
and many people whose houses the flood
had not reached packed up what effects
they could in anticipation of being sum-
marily evicted. Tho highway bridges on
nearly all roads crossing the Pequaback
were swept away. Ten In all have gone
out and others are badly damaged. The
strects Of Bristol and the village Of For
estville were badly washed in many places.
Flooded the Town Of Bristol.
The lower stories Of dozens Of houses
were covered with water all the morning
and much property in the cellars was
ruined. The New England roadbcd was
undermined in many places and wreck
ing crews have been at work all day. The
Bristol Brass and Coke oompany's fac
tory was flooded, the water at the dam
gorgin9 . channel forty feet wide and
twelve feet deep. The highway bridge at
louisville Centre sagged several feet and
10 In an impassable condition. 1t il esti-
mated that the town Of Bristol will lose
from s5o.OO to e75,OOo by damage to the
bridges and roads.
General Throughout the State.
A dispatch from Hartford says that this
town was not alone In the damp destruc-
ton. The rain storm of Saturday, Satur.
day night and yesterday caused the great
est damage to property throughout the
state known in twenty years. Many seri.
GUS accidents, washouts and wrecks are
reported. Tue Connecticut river 10 swol-
LA until it has reached q point three
times greater than its normal proper
tions. The big iron bridge at Middletown
was In great danger all the afternoon and
. portion Of the false work was swept
away, but the main structure is still in
tsct. The storm in Winsted and other
sections Of Litchfleld county was very Sc
we're. Tho loss in Litchfield county alone
is estimated at nearly 100000. At Brook.
Ign q we'll known mill owner lost his life
and several accidents are are reported
from many sections.