The Forrest City times., 1901-06-28
IOLD BY AN EYEWITNESS.
The Recent Flood at Keystone, w. Va., Vividly Described by
 One Who Was There.
FOR SIX HOURS RAIN FELL IN TORRENTS
The Narrow Valley Became a Rag inc, Soothing Torrent, Sweeping Everything Before It-Many Peo- pie Drowned While Attempting to Reach the Mountain.

Keystone, W. Va, June 26.-The fol- lowing story is told by an eye-wi.- ness of the great flood:
 Keystone is the metropolis of the Eikhorn mining country. It has hut narrow streets, and because of limited space many houses were built on piles or walls over the Elkhorn or close up against the mountains The town follows the mcauderings of the stream for a mile.
 A SIX Hours TorrentinI Rain.
 "On Friday night at II o'clock the storm struck the mountain, and for six hours rain ie,l in torrents. By a. m., Saturday. the narrow valley was raging, seething, angry torrent. Houses, barns, bridges, fills, live stock and human beings were swept away by the mighty current and dashed on the rocks or trees below.
 Eye-Witness of the Disaster.
 "I was an eyewitness of the dis aster at Keystone, stopping at he tel. At the first warning many of the inhabitants took refuge on the noun tainside overlooking the town and river. More than hundred people, however, remained in the town to look after the women and children who did not escape early. The bridge leading to the depot was soon swept away, then the angry waters rushed through the only street in the town, and we found hundreds cut off from the mountain retreat, and the hotel was made fast to the telephone poles by means of 8 line.
 Hundreds Were Saved.
 Hundreds of lives were saved. But, in attempting to cross the muddy, surging waters which swept like an avalanche down this street, many lost their hold, and in plain sight of friends were carried on into the river and drowned. Houses plunged and danced in the mighty stream, with screaming women and children on lie roofs. Horses, cattle and other ami mals were drowned about us.
 Railroad Fill Gave Way.
 "The Norfolk x Western railroad fill at this place gave way, and more than a mile of track now lies in the bed of the river. In fact, it is hard to tell how many miles of track tnd how many bridges have been swept away. The destruction is tremendous to the railroad alone, and it may be many days and perhaps weeks before trains can run.
 rAs.l.
 "The loss of life can not be esti- mated here. It is known eight lives were lost here. Six bodies have been recovered at Eckman, two miles be- low here. Several were drowned at Shawnee, and a good part of the town swept away.
 Women Cared for First.
 All the women were conveyed from the hotel to the mountainside by means of the lifeline. Then the men left, as the place was unsafe. When it came my turn l seized the line and plunged into the muddy current. In an instant my feet were swept from under me, and it was the fight of my life to reach the house on the south side of the street. The distance was not great, and the water not more than three feet deep, but the current was almost irresistible, and even cows and horses were swept past me as l clung to the rope, which was the only hope. Friendly hands pulled me out more dead than alive. The notel is still standing"