Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-04-05
rHE GREAT FLOOD.


the Shawneetown flood have been re-
covered and hundreds of homeless peo-
pie are dependent upon charity for
food and shelter. The death list is
likely to be largely increased when
definite information from the negro
quarter, which suffered most. is Sc
cured. The flood burst upon these
people without warning, and owing to
the weak construction of their shan
ties they toppled over in the rush of
water, leaving their inmates no means
of getting out of danger. Hundreds OF
people who lived further from the
river front sought safety on roofs and
in upper stories, or made a retreat to
the hills at tie west. These are be-
ing removed as rapidly as possible to
places where they can be given proper
search for bodies, the attention OF the
relief parties being directed almost en-
tirely to providing supplies and MAX
ing the homeless as comfortable as
possible. The relief work is well or
ganized, and the tents, blankets and
food sent by the Governor to-day will
be promptly distributed. Those who
escaped lost everything and their
homes are in ruins. The missing as
far as known tonight are:
Wash. Callicutt and family, Col
Callicutt, Mrs. c. r. Galloway, wife OF
Sheriff Galloway. of Gallatin county,
and two children; Mary McAllister,
Holly, Mrs McLain, Noah WEIGH and
family. R. B. Hooker, Western Union
Telegraph manager; Col. Col. Collicott,
w. c. Collicott and wife Mrs. Ed.
Flake. three children of Paul Phaken,
C. Hynehart, Ellen McAllister, Annie
Rvnehart. Grandmother Holly, Mrs.
McLane. Mrs Zach Meier, Paul NC
Allister, VIM. Thompson, wife ana
three children. NJ. J. Hartnett, Mr..
Holly, Charles Cation and son. henry
King and four children (colored), MISS
Cora Sherwood, Frank A. Morrison,
Mrs. A. A. Hathaway
Late tonight it is estimated that the
loss of life in the negro quarter may
each so. besides those accounted for.
7. F. Hogan, of Omaha, Ills, lett the
scene of the food half an hour
BEFORE THE Dixie BROKE.
His brother-in-law, Sheriff Galloway
If GalIatin county. whose home was in
Shawneetown, had the same good Tor
tune. The sheriff's wife and two
daughters were swept away, and their
bodies have not yet been recovered.
Hogan's story of the food shows that
the townspeople had absolutely no
warning of the disaster.
about O'Clock last evening, ne
said. "the levee on the north size OF
the town gave way at the nortn emu
of Market street near the court house.
An opening ten feet wide was at first
made. but it quickly spread to twenty,
and a. wall of water ten or fifteen feet
high poured through the main street
sweeping everything before it. About
fifty small frame houses along the line
of the leyee to the south were crushed
like TOYS and none of the occupants,
most of whom were poor colored folks,
escaped. Those living in the more sub
stantial houses managed to climb to
second and third Stories where they
chung for hours through the chilly
night houses in the western part OF
the town did not at once feel the Ell
feet of the flood, and residents maze
hardy steps for safety, most Oh tnenl
deing to the top of the levee ON the
soutb side of the town. A large num-
her also reached the little hills, which
are a mile from the town, and from
there saw their property crumble I'D
the muddy waters. When daylight
came this morning the streets were full
of water to depth of ten OF twelve
feet. Only the most substantial build
ings in the central business district
remain standing. Water is every
where and the relief work is being car
ried out under great difficulties"
Rideeway. a town twelve miles from
Shawneetown, was made the basis OF
relief work All rail communication
being cut off four miles out,
BOATS WERE CONSTRUCTED
and a committee started to the scene
They reached Cypress Junction, halt
way to Shawneetown, and found dry
land extending toward the river. Fol
lowing this they arrived within two
miles of the flooded town. More boats
were started and the rescuers crossed
to Shawneetown. They found sad
condition existing in the Inflated town
Hundreds of those who escaped the
rush of water were perched on roofs
trees and along the top of the levee
They were taken from their dangerous
positions as rapidly as possible. Ow-
ing to the scarcity of boats. the work
was very slow, but over 200 persons
including many women and children
were taken to the roadway. two miles
from Shawneetown, to Cypress juno
ton. Here the greater part of them
are eamped tonight with very little
to eat and exposed to the driving rain
and piercing wind.