Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-06-27
A DESTRUCTIVE STORM.

A DESTRUCTIVE SIOHr1.
A great rain storm began in the Elk
horn Valley last Friday and Saturday
nights. There was cloudburst, which
added to the horror of it and brought
great destruction in its path. Thir-
teen small towns were entirely swept
away, or so nearly so that the few
buildings left give no evidence of the
former condition of the valley. Key
stone, The largest place affected, had
normally a population of about two
thousand and at the time Of the storm
many others were supposed to be there,
1t was entirely swept away, except
buildings which were on an elevation.
Some thirty miles Of railroad track
was washed away, most oft belonging
to the n. & W. Railway. There was
great destruction of various kinds OF
property, amounting in all to prOba-
bly 100000. The loss of life was
at first reported very large, but later
reports are much smaller and 1t
seems likely that possibly not more
than fifty lives were lost Many per-
sons supposed to be lost have since
been found alive, and then there were
many persons washed from graves
and their dead bodies were counted
among those lost.
The region visited was given almost
exclusively to mining and coke burn
ing and the necessary occupations for
supplying the workmen with needed
supplies. The saloon seems to have
been a prominent factor and at Key
stone alone there were ten or fifteen
saloons. Those VINO escaped with
their lives are said to be fishing for
kegs floating away and there are
many strange stories in circulation,
especially about the colOred poPula-
ton.
Gen. E. I. Boggs, private secretary
to Governor White, and Adjutant-
General Hudson are looking into the
necessities for a relief movement. 1t
seems to be the general opinion that
there will be no necessity for calling
out the State Guard, as the railroad
and coal companies have sufficient sys-
tens for policing the devastated dis
trict. a great many Of the coal mines
will have their damage repaired and
be ready for shipping some time be-
fore the railroad is in sufficient repair
to handle the output.
The people Of the stOrm-swept Sec
ton appear terrOrized and their excite
ment is so intense that they are really
helpless as far as work is concerned.
In that section Of severe thunder
storms each flash Of lightning and peal
of thunder is enough to cause a panic.
The dead, as fast as found, ale being
hastily buried and many times the
spot is not marked.
There is great damage to the coal
properties on the North Fork. Many
coke ovens, ctmmissaries, miners
houses owned by the mining companies
and some of the coal tiPples We're
washed away. The destruction Of the
company stores has caused great
scarcity of provisions, and there Is
much suffering in consequence. This
is being relieved by train carrying
provisions, which will run as tar as
the condition of the tracks will permit,
and from there distribution will be
made by wagons. There are many
families homeless.
Traffic on the Clinch Valley diyis-
ion is also interrupted. At one place
there is q pile of debris 60 feet high
along this branch of the Norfolk and
Western, which is 103 miles long.
There are about 800 homeless people.
Agent Leman, who passed down the
valley, said it was pathetic sight to
see families gathered without shelter
near their desolated homes. The dam
age on this road is largely to the lum-
Der interests. The railroad people
have been blowing up piles of debris
in the Elkhorn Valley with dynamite.
Hon. William Jennings Bryan has
telegraphed the Young Mems Chris
tan Association that he will delivera
lecture at Pocahontas on the night of
July 2, the proceeds to be given for
the relief Of the destitute.