The age-herald., 1901-06-24

the extent of which, in all probability, will exceed that of Johnstown in 1889 so far as the loss of property Is concerned. Early this morning, shortly after mid- night heavy downpour of rain began, accompanied by a severe electric storm, which violently increased in volume and continued throughout the entire day and night Many miles of the Norfolk and Western Railroad track, bridges and tele- graph lines are entirely destroyed and communication is entirely cut off west of Elkhorn, so that 1t is impossible to learn the full extent of the loss of life and prop erty but officials of the coal corporations located in the stricken district have seen out messengers to Elkhorn, the terminus of both telegraphic and railroad com munication, and have received report that a conservative estimate as to the loss of life will easily reach 200. Some of the drowned are among the most promi- nent citizens of the coal fields.
 The Pocahontas coal field Is located in a basin with high mountain ranges on either side, Elkhorn creek flowing through the center of the basin, which ranges from one-fourth to mile wide.
 From Ennis, w. Va, to Vivian Yard, w Va. distance of ten miles. miners cabins, coal company commissaries and coke plants line this basin. Elkhorn creek being fed by numerous small streams coming from the mountain side, rises very rapidly and this water spout came so suddenly that the entire basin between the two mountain ranges was flooded and before the terror-stricken people realized what was upon them, they were carried down by the flood which swept them away in it's path.
 Keystone Great Sufferer.
 The little town of Keystone, with a population of about 2oOO seems the great est sufferer, practically the entire town being washed away. This town is the principal one in the Pocahontas coal fields from which the mining population pur- chased supplies, and was also the only place in the field where whiskey could be purchased At this place there were some twelve to fifteen saloons, all of which were washed away. The report comes that the mining population are now occupying the banks of the stream below catching merchandise and barrels of whisky and beer as they float down. A great number of the coal and coke plants through the Pocahontas coal region are reported practically destroyed and are in some instances entirely washed away. Owing to the very high water which has flooded the region and prevented communi cation anything like carrect estimate of the loss of property is impossible. but from the best information obtainable so far today. the loss to property will easily reach two million dollars.
 Landgraf, the beautiful home of Gen. eral Manager Ord. is reported gone but his family is said to be safe.
 Passenger train No. of the Norfolk and Western Railroad reached Vivian about S:3O a. m., met the flood and was unable to proceed further. The waters reached such a depth that the coaches had to be abandoned, the passengers being rescued by means of ropes strung from the windows of coaches to the tops of coke ovens some distance away Be- tween Elkhorn and Vivian yard, a dis tance of ten miles, one hundred cars are said to be washed from the tracks and many of them carried down the streams.
 Trains Can't Get Through.
 A rough estimate places the number of bridges washed away between Blue field and Vivian yard. distance of twenty-eight miles, at from fifteen to twenty and from present indications 1t will be impossible to. get trains through to Vivian and points west of there under . week or ten days This will render it impossible to get relief into the stricken district and with those who escaped with their lives, homeless and without food, indescribable suffering is inevitable
 On the Clinch Valley branch of the Norfolk and Western Railroad between this city and Norton. Va. communica- tion is entirely severed west of Tasewell Va. Reports come from that district of great loss of life and property through cut that entire section. In Skakerage. a negro settlement on the outskirts of Tazwell the water stands to the depth of six or eight feet in the houses. all of < the occupants removing to points of safe ty in boats. Three miles west of Tase, well, on the Higginbotham farm the home of Paris vandike. farmer was SWtPt away Soat saie <~Fith IL MI D. van dike and four children, two of the Van dike children, John, IT, and Charles f being drowned.
 Mrs vandike with the two remaining children, Edwar and Laura, were found at 9 o'clock this morning in dying con dition one mile from where the home stood by MT. vandike, who was absent from home at the time of the cloudburst While the rescuing party was searching for the vandike family they found the body of white woman, well clad. float. ing down Plum creek. No one thus fal has been able to identify her, and it is supposed the body had washed down from ssne distance. A report comes from Wit. tens NH, small station between Blue. fields and Tasewell that three children Christian names unknown. belonging tc Raleigh Brush. were drowned early yes. terday morning. There is no telegraph station at the mill. and 1t is impossible tc learn particulars.
 1900 Men at Work.
 The railroad and telegraph conpanies srs working between 1000 and 15oo mer