The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-25

county, was swept away. only two houses
standing. When the water had reached
the second story of the Methodist parson-
age, w. l.. Moore fastened ropes about the
bodies OF the wife and two daughters OF
Rev. Mr.. Wagner and dragged them
through the flood to safety. Others were
rescued in like manner.
At Ennis, W. Va, the depot and post
Office were washed completely away and
miles OF track torn up. No trains are go
ing farther west than Ennis. Two thousand
men are repairing the damage 10 the Nor
folk & Western Railway. The estimated
damage TO railway properties now is one
million dollars. though this does not in
clude the loss sustained in loss Of revenue
The entire property loss is estimated at
between two and three millions.
1t IS now positive that the reports of
2OO lives lost were exaggerated, but Of
ficials estimate that the number OF lives
lost by the flood will up to seventy
five easily Ii is reported that there is
great suffering in the coal fields. two-thirds
of the miners being homeless. No trains
are expected to enter the fields for three
or four days.
TIE telegraph company has three build
ing gangs on the scene and three more
en- route, and it is thought by tomorrow
noon or night il will be able to communi-
cate with keystone and Vivian yard. Re-
ports from the west say it is estimated
that at least eight miles of telegraph poles
are entirely gone west of Vivian yard, and
il is hardly probable communication will
be had for some time with the Tug river
section. where the river is reported higher
than ever known before. 1t is almost GER
tain that the large lumber interests west
of Vivian and near Welsh have suffered
greatly the damage probably running up
into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Among the bodies which have been re-
gend and wife, whose home f1oated away
before they were aware of their danger;
Martha Morgan, a white woman, became
so excited that she deliberately threw her
self into the water and was lost, her dead
body being recovered over a mile below her
home; Mrs. Mccoy, an aged colored woman,
together with her daughter, Mrs. Nellie
smith, and granddaughter, Annie Smith.
washed down in their cabin, and when
their bodies were recovered their hands
still remained casped; Samuel Poindexter.
of mother and four children, all colored;
John Lewis, white, Ira Neffend, a Hun
garian mother and baby.
a graveyard was overflowed and the dead
resurrected by the raging torrent went
floating away in all stages of decay.
This morning many trainloads of men
work of rescue and repairing. The rail
road shopmen, conductors, engineers and
all are at the scene of the storm horror,
while every available man on the nearly
1.000-mile system has been rushed TO the
| scene. Appeals to connecting railroads for
wrecking crews and men have been re-
| sponded TO.
The loss TO merchants at keystone is ap-
| proximated at SOS 900. The residents of the
| small village were saved by telephone
message apprising them of the coming of
| the flood and they fed TO places of safety.
The Crane creek branch of the Norfolk
| K Western. which has been recently
| graded. has been destroyed for seven miles
| and Will have TO be rebuilt.
The Big Four mines flooded and the
| delivery tracks are gone. The loss of life
| cannot be learned. only one man having
| got from this section to a point of COM
munication. His journey one of great
| hardship. He swan the river three times
and arrived more dead than alive Six
building gangs are being rushed to the
| scene by the Western Union Telegraph
Company to repair lines. An electric light
| car has been obtained. 1t is equipped with
a complete electric lighting plant and ap-
| paratus and will be brought from Hagers-
town by a special train so that work can
| be prosecuted at night. Every effort will
| be made 10 open the line. .for- traffic in the
1 shortest possible time.