The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1901-06-28

nOOd the extent OF which IN all prob
ability will equal or exceed that of
Johnstown in 1889, so far as the loss
of property is concerned.
Early yesterday morning, shortly
after midnight, IL heavy downpour of
rain began, accompanied by severe
electric storm, which violently in
creased in volume and ragged for several
hours. This increased during the day
and night.
Thirty miles of Norfork & Western
track, bridges and telegraph lines are
destroyed. and communication is en-,
tirely cut off west Of Wilkhorn so that
it is impossible to learn the full extent
Of the loss of life and property. But
officials of the coal corporations located
in the stricken district have sent out
messengers to Elkhorn the terminus
of both telegraphic and railroad com
munications, and have received a re-
port that conservative estimate to the
loss of life will reach 500. Some of the
drowned are among the most prominent
citizens of the coal fields.
FLOODS RISE RAPIDLY.
The Pocahontas coal field is located
in basin with high mountain ranges
on either side, Elkhorn Creek flowing
through the center of the basin, which
ranges from one-fourth to one mile il
width. From Ennis, W. Va, tx
Vivian Yard, W. ", distance of ter
miles, miners cabins, coal company
commissaries and coke plants line this
basin. Elkhorn Creek being fed by
numerous small streams coming from
their mountain side. rises very rapidly,
and this water spout came so suddenly
that the entire basin between the two
mountain ranges was flooded, and be-
fore the terror stricken people realized
what was upon them they were carried
down by the flood, which swept every
thing in its path.
The little town of Keystone, with &
population of about 1000, seems the
greatest sufferer, practically the entire
town being washed away. This il
the principal one in the Pocahontas
fields and is located near its center. L
was to a great extent headquarters
from which the mining population
purchased supplies, and was also the
only place in the field where whiskey
could be purchased
Saturday night is pay night in thu
coal fields, and it is supposed that the
coal miners had flocked into the tow
in the district to do their trading, ant
there is no telling how many of then
were caught in the food and drowned
. Between Elkhorn and Vivian Yard
a distance of ten miles, 100 cars arr
said to be washed from the tracks anC
many of them carried down the streams
A great number of the coal and cox
plants through the Pocahontas Goa
region are reported practically de
stroyed and are in some instances en-
tirely washed away. Owing to tn
very high water which has flooded tn
region and prevented communication
ANYTHING like a correct estimate of tn
loss of property is impossible, but from
the best information obtainable so ia
to-day, the loss to property will easil.
reach 81. 900, 900.
The flood seems to have extende'
over vast area of mountain country
and the hundreds of mountain stream
becoming swoolen only served to swel
the Elkhorn until it overtlowed an,
carried destruction in its wake. Rail
road ties and track, small buildings o
all descriptions, trees. telegraph poles
huge boulders and every imaglnabl
movable thing that came within tn
sweep of this mighty torrent OF mad
dened waters went down the noun
famous district in a seething, roaring
mass of debris. Dead bodies could b
seen floating along the valley bv thos
who had gained place of safety /
the high hills. ..
All day Saturday the rain fell i
sheets and ii was evident that if 1T di
not cease there would be flood an
gerat destruction must result from II
but it was not until after darkness ha
enveloped the coal regions that tn
great catastrophe was upon the countr
and was making clean sweep OF I'd
valley fof miles around.
Roanoke. Va, June 23.-Passengel
on train from the West report tina
300 people were drowned yesterda
along the Elkhorn division Of the MOI
fork q Western Railroad, and tina
miles of track and bridges were washe
out. The passengers ON the train wei
transferred by ropes from the train
the mountain side near Vivian, "
Va.
Rural Delivery.
|, franklin. Tenn, June 20.-Roui