, 1901-06-27
HUNDREDS OF LIVES LOST
BY WEST VIRGINIA FLOOD

Bluefelds, w. Va, June 23.-This
entire section has just been visited by
a flood, the extent of which in all prob
sbility will equal or exceed hat OF
Johnstown in 1889, so far as the loss
of property is concerned.
Early yesterday morning shortly af-
ter midnight, n heavy downpour of
rain began, accompanied by II severe
electric storm, which increased in vol
ume, continuing for several hours.
The storm continued throughout the
entire day and night, II at 10 n. ~,
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 wtst
OF Elkhorn, so that 1t Is impossible 10
learn the full extent of the loss of life
and property bnt 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 n report that Il conser-
rative estimate as to the loss of life
will easily reach 200. Some of the
drowned are among II most promi-
lltill tltlLtlS VI llt fbul hfibHs
The POcahontas coal field Is located
In n 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, W.st Virginia, n distance
of ten miles. miners cabins, coal COM
pnny commissaries and coke plants
lire the basin. The Elkhorn creek,
Deing fed by numerous small streams
coming from the mountain side, rises
very rapidly. This waterspout came
- 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 We're carried down by the flood
which swept everything in Its path.
The little town of keystone, with
Il population of about 1000, seems the
greatest sufferer, practically the enure
town being washed AWAY. This town
is the principal II in the Pocahontns
coal fields. and is located near its
center. 1t was to n great extent Inc
headquarters from which the mining
population purchased supplies, and
was also h only place in the field
where whisky could he 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-
plying the banks of the stream below,
catching the merchandise and barrels
of whisky and beer as they float down.
A great number Of tn" coal and coke
plants throughout the Pocahontas dis
trict are reported practically de
stroyec, and are in some instances Pm
ti-ely washed away. Owing to the
very high water which has flooded :he
region and prevented communication,
anything like n correct estimate of
the loss of property is impossible, hut
from the best Information obtainabie
at . p. M. Sunday The loss to the prop
erty Will easily reach S2,oOO,0o0.
At Landgrnf the beautiful home of
General Manager Ord is reported gole,
but his family is said to be safe.
Passenger train No. 4 Of the Norfolk
4 Western railway reached Vivian
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