The Delta independent., 1901-06-28
HUNDREDS OF LIVES LOST
BY WEST VIRGINIA FLOOD

Bluefields, W. Va, June 23.-This
entire section has just been visited by
flood, the extent of which in all prob
ability will equal or exceed that or
Johnstown in 1885, so far as the loss
of property is concerned.
Early yesterday morning shortly af-
ter midnight, a heavy downpour Of
rain began, accompanied by a severe
electric storm, which increased in vol
ume, continuing for several hours.
The storm continued throughout the
entire day and night, and at 10 a. ln.,
while the storm has abated, the lower
ing clouds threaten another terrific
dOwnpour at any moment.
Many miles of the Norfolk & West
ern railroad track, bridges and tele-
graph lines are entirely destroyed and
communication Is entirely cut off west
Of Elkhorn, so that it Is impossible to
learn the full extent Of the loss of life
and property but officials of the cOnl
operations located in the stricken dis
trict have sent out messengers to Elk
horn, the terminus of both telegraphic
and railroad communications, and
have received a report that a conser-
vative 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 one mile in
width.
From Tennis, West Virginia, to Vi
Wan Yard, West Virginia, a distance
Of ten miles, miners cabins. coal CON-
pany commissaries and coke plants
line the basin. The Elkhorn creek,
being fed by numerous small streams
coming from the mountain side, rises
very rapidly. This waterspout came
SO suddenly that the entire basin be-
tween the two mountain ranges was
flooded and before the terror-stricken
people realized what was upon them
they were carried down by the food
which swept everything in its path.
The little town Of keystone, with
a population of about 1900, seems the
greatest sufferer, practically the en,ire
town being washed away. This town
Is the principal one in the Pocahontas
coal fields. and is located near its
center. 1t was to a great extent The
headquarters from which the mining
population purchased supplies, and
was also the only place in the field
where whisky 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 Occu-
pying the banks of the stream below,
catching the merchandise and barrels
Of whisky and beer as they float down.
A great number Of the coal and coke
plants throughout the Pocahontas dis
trict are reported practically de-
stroyed, and are In some instances eh-
tirely washed away. Owing to the
very high water which has flooded the
region and prevented communication.
anything like a correct estimate Of
the loss Of property is impossible, but
from the best information obtainab;e
at p. m. Sunday the loss to the prop
erty will easily reach 100000.
At Landgraf the beautiful home Of
General Manager Ord is reported go1e,
but his family Is said to be safe.
Passenger train No. 4 Of the Norfolk
& Western railway reached Vivian