Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1901-06-26
LNESLOST IN AFLOOD.
Horrible Disaster in the Great Ka-
nawha Valley.
The Town OF kcystonc. Population
of About 2.OOO, Almost washed
Awny-Nuch Damage at
other Points.

Blucheld, W. Va. June 24.-rhiS en-
tire section has Just been visited by
Hood, the extent OF which in all
proba bility will equal or exceed that
OF Johnstown In 1889 50 far as the loss
OF property il concerned. Early Sat
ur'iay morning. shortly after mid
night, a heavy downpour OF rain be-
gan, accompanied by a severe electric
storm, which violently increased i'm
volume. and continuing for several
hours. This continued throughout
the entire day and night. and at 10
n. m. while the storm has abatrl.
the lowering clouds would indicate
another terrific downpour at any
moment. Many miles of the Norfolk
and Western track. bridges and tel
egraph lines are entirely DESTROYED.
and communication il entirely cut
OF west of ElAhorn. so that il is inn
possible 10 learn the full extent OF
the loss Of life and property. but
officials of the coal corporations To-
Gated in the stricken district have
sent out messengers to ElLhorn, the
terminus of both Geographic and
received a report that conservative
estimate as tn the loss of life will
easily reach 200. Some OF the drown
ed are among the most prominent
citizens of the coal fields.
The Pocahontas coal field is located
in basin. with high mountains on
either side. Elkhorn creek flowing
through the center of the basin, which
ranges from on-fourth 10 one mile
In width. From Ennis. w. Va. to
Vivian Yard, 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 be-
tween the two mountain ranges was
flooded, and before the terror-strick-
en- people realized what was upon
them. they were carried down bv the
food. which swept everything in it's
path.
The little town of Keystone, with
population of about 1000, seems
the greatest sufferer, practically the
entire town being washed away. The
town IL the principal one i'm the Poca-
hontaS coal fields. and is located near
its center. II was 10 n great extent
the headquarters from which the
mining population purchased supplies,
and was also the only place in the
field where whisky could be pur-
che scd. At this place there were
some II to IS saloons, all of which
was washed away.
On the Clinch valley branch of the
Norfolk aud Western railway. be-
tween this city and Norton. Va, com
munication is entirely severed west
OF TalcwelI, Va. Reports come from
that point of great loss of life and
property throughout that entire see
ton. In Shnkcrag, "A Negro settle
mcnt on the outskirts of Tazewell,
the water stands 10 the depth OF six
or eight feet IN tho street and houses.
all of the occupants having been re-
moved TO points OF safety by means
Of boat
Tho report comes that the mining
population are now occupying the
banks OF the streams below catching
the merchandise and barrels Of
whisky and beer az they float down.
\ great number of the coal and coke
plants at the mouth Of Pocahontas
region are reported practically de-
| stroycd and are in some instances en-
tirclY washed away. Owing 10 the
very high water which has flooded
the region and prevented commune
80
mate Of the loss OF property is i'm
possible. but from the best informa-
ton obtaina bic 50 far Sunday the
loss 10 property will easily reach
| $2,00U.OO0. Laudgraf. the beautiful
horne OF Gen. Manager ord. is report
ed gone. but his family is said 10 be
safe.
Passenger Train No. 4. Of the Nor.
folk and Western railway, reached
Vivian about $3.50 A. m, met the
Hood and was unable 10 proceed fur
ther. The waters reached such a
depth that the coaches had 10 be
! abandoned, The passengers being res
cued by means Of ropes strung from
the windows Of coaches 90 the tops
| OF remaining coke ovens some dis
lance away. Eetwccn ElkhOru and
Vivian Yard. distance OF ten milcs.
100 cars are said TO nc washed from
the tracks and many Of them werc
carried down the streams.
4 rough estimate places tho number
Of bridges washed away between Blu
field and Vivian Yard. distance Of
2S miles. 80 from - 10 20. and from
present Indications IL will bc i'm
possible 90 get trains through 10
Vivian nnd points west of there under
a week or ten days. This will rem
der 90 Impossible TO get relief into
the stricken district.
Murdered ~ Of HIs Couptr, men.
Nancou'ei( %. g., June pa report
has reaches here from the country
town OF Cadun. B. G.. OF % horrible
tragedy. 4 thiuaman. whose name is