Imperial press., 1901-06-29
Great Loss of Life and Property in thu States of Virginia and West Virginia
Railroads and Trains Washed Away and Hundreds of Families Homeless-Two Million Dollars Damages

This section mas Just Deeu NlSlCou py a flood the extent of which, in all probability, will equal or exceed that of Johnstown in 1889, so far as the loss of property is concerned.
 Early yesterday morning, shortly af- ter midnight, a heavy downpour ot rain began, accompanied by severe electric storm which increased in vol ume, continuing for several hours. The storm continued through the entire day and night and at 10 ann, while the storm has abated, the lowering clouds threaten another terrific down. pour at any moment.
 Many miles of the Norfolk and Western railroad track, bridges and telegraph lines are entirely destroyed and communication Is entirely cut off west of Elkhorn so that it is impos- sible to learn the full extent of the loss of life and property, but officials of the coal companies located in the stricken district have sent out mes sengers to Elkhorn, the terminus of both telegraphic and railroad commit nication, and have received a report that conservative estimate as to the loss of life will easily reach 200. Some of the drowned are among the most ClItLCho Ol Iuc COdl Hcluo
 LOSS OF LIFE ELSEWHERE.
 On the Clinch valley branch of the Norfolk and Western railway between this city and Norton, communication is entirely severed west of Tazewell, Va. Reports come from that point of great loss of life and property throughout that entire section.
 In Shakerag, a negro settlement on the outskirts of Tazewell, the water stands to the depth of six to eight feet in the street and houses. All of the occupants have been removed to points of safety by means of a boat.
 Three miles west of Tazewell, on the H1gginbotham farm, the house of Paris Van Dyke, farm hand, was swept away, carrying with it Mrs. Van Dyke and her four children, two of the Van Dyke children, John, 17 years, and Charles, years, being drowned. Mrs. Van Dyke, with the two remain ing children, were found at o'clock thls morning in dying condition one mile from where their home stood. by MT. Van Dyke, who was away from nome at the time of the cloudburst.
 While the rescuing party was searching for the Van Dyke family they found the body of a white woman. well clad, floating down Plum creeS. NO one thus far has been able to iden- t1fy her, and it is supposed that the body had been washed down some dis tance.
 TWO MILLIONS LOST.
 In the Elkhorn valley it is esti- mated that the loss to the railroad and coal interests will exceed $2.OOO,- 900. Out of twelve miles of main line double track, only one mile remains, and all the bridges are gone. Some of the bridges with the heaviest ma sorry and foundation resisted the flood.
 The Goison company, one of the largest operators, lost a thousand horsepower electric plant and many buildings and coke ovens. Their loss is said to be $50,0OO. The Houston Com pany is damaged from $2O,OOO to $25,- 900. The Tierney interests, consisting Of four collieries loses heavily. Many miles of track, leading to coke ovens and mines are gone. In some instancee mine locomotives and cars have been swept for miles down the stream. rushed to the scene to work on re- pairs and it is expected that complete communication will be established be- fore noon tomorrow.
 LEAVE TRAIN BY ROPES.
 Passenger train No. of the Nor folk and Western railway reached Vivian ahnMf |. Q0 o VVn met th,a HOOd