Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-07-20

yesterday afternoon by a very severe
rain storm accompanied by thunder
and lightning. The storm centre was
about Mt Pleasant, O., where the rain
assumed the proportions of a veritable
cloud burst, causing loss of life and
property. By a singular coincidence
the day was the twelfth anniversary of
the flood out Caldwell's run, in which
several persons lost their lives.
The storm assumed the greatest
severity, and did the most damage at
the mining village of Long Run, near
the junction OF the stream, of the same
name with Short Creek, about two
miles west of Mt Pleasant. The little
town lies in the valley, and many of
the dwelling houses of the miners line
the banks of the two streams. The
village has a population of 1000, ap-
proXimately, and there are probably
75 houses on the low land, many of
the others being built on the hill side.
Long Run and Short Creek are or
dinarily very small and placid streams.
Yesterday, however, within an incred-
IDLY short space Of time, Short Creek
was transformed into a veritable river
overfowing it's banks, and flooding
everything. All the houses on the
low land at Long Run were flooded.
The current was like a mountain tor
rent, and the dwellings which were
not securely built were moved partly
or entirely from their foundations.
Three houses were washed away by
the flood, and the water carried along
lumber, household furniture, and
debris of every conceivable descrip-
ton. Six cows and several other do
nestle animals were counted floating
down the stream.
The residents of Long Run were
panic stricken when the flood began
to rock the foundations of their
homes, and most of them fed to the
hills for safety. Three persons were
Tot SO fortunate.
Mrs. John Lingo, the wife Of Hun
garian miner, and her ten-year-old
son, John, were in their home when
the rushing waters removed it from
the foundation, and they were unable
To get out and reach place of safety,
while their cries for relief came too
late. Both were stunned by floating
debris, and carried along by the flood
Many of their neighbors saw them
drown, and were unable to render as
sistance.
Another victim of the storm was
Mary Barhock, a three-year-old girl,
who could not be removed to a place
of safety after the water covered the
house in which she lived.
People living in that section say the
storm was the most severe and the
most disastrous which has visited that
section during the past thirty
years. 1t was difficult for many to
comprehend that Short Creek could
become a stream Of such magnitude in
such short space of time.
The torrent was so swift that the
bodies of the two children were car
RED a distance of a mile and a half
and two miles respectively. The girl
was found in field, and the boys
body was recovered from the trestle
work of the bridge over the stream
near Dillonvale, where it had lodged.
The husband of Mrs. Lingo was at
work in the coal mine during the
storm, and knew nothing of it. He
came to the mouth of the mine, and
looked toward his home, where his
wife had been accustomed to watch
for his appearance. His consterna-
ton when he saw only the foundation
of his home, and his grief
when he was later informed that his
wife and child had been drowned in
the flood, were heart rending.
In addition to the loss of life there
was very heavy damage to property
in the flooded district Reports indi-
cate that farm products were injured,
but how badly it was impossible to
learn.
Five county bridges across Short
Creek were washed away. One of
them had been erected very recently.
1t was estimated last night that the
less to the Pittsburg & Lake Erie
Coal Company. which operates the
mines at Long Run, will not fall
short of $1,000. The Wheeling & Lake
Erie switches across Short Creek were
so badly damaged as to stop train SER
wee on the road. A considerable sec
ton of the Wheeling & Lake Erie
track is said to have been washed out.
At Mt. Pleasant.
The storm was very severe at Mt
Pleasant, but the damage was not
heavy. While the storm was at its
height, barns owned by Mr.. Lupton
and Mr.. Jackson. and dwelling house
owned by man whose name could
rot be learned, we're struck by light
ming. The occupants were uninjured.
At weston.
The cldud-burst Is said to have oc-