The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-25
MUCH WRECKAGE IN TUG RIVER.


HUNTINGTON, w. Va, June 4.-The
tremendous high water in the Tug river,
caused by a cloudburst along the head
waters of the stream on Saturday, is
thing unprecedented in the history Of that
section and the destruction of property
along the Elkhorn and Dry Fork and down
the Tug river to it's mouth is something
most appalling. Though it comes far short
of rivaling the famous Johnstown flood, ii
serves as a vivid reminder of that terrible
deuge and it WILL no doubt, be many a day
ere such a disastrous result is witnessed
again from a like cause Owing to the fact
that wires have been down and no other
means of communication available with
those sections of the country where the
greatest destruction was wrought, much is
left to be surmised. yet lower down the
river. where the river bed was wider and
the volume of water much greater, the
wreckage which has been carried by in the
flood furnishes ample evidence of what had
taken place higher up the stream.
The cloudburst occurred near the head
waters of the Elkhorn and Dry Fork riv-
ers, whose confluence. near Welsh. forms
the main Tug river. Though both of these
streams were swollen far beyond any pro-
portions which they were ever before
known TO assume, the former one, which is
traversed by the Norfolk & Western Rail-
way for distance of about twenty miles.
was. by far. the highest, and it is rumored
that for distance Of about ten miles that
road is practically a wreck and several
days will be required to repair the great
damage which has been done. 1t is further
stated that, had this road not been con-
structed along the highest available ground
along the valley, much more Of il would
have been swept away.
Along the coal regions OF the Elkhorn
and the numerous big lumber plants lower
down, box cars were swept away in the
rushing flood and are lodged along the
streams, against the rugged mountain
sides. and, in few instances, were carried
the falls before being checked. Many of
the cars were loaded, ready to be moved,
and. with their cargo. are practically a
total loss. All the lumber plants. and there
are many Of them, are great losers, TO an
extent conservatively estimated at mil
lion and half
AT Iagerston the river rose to the i'm
mense height Of thirty-one feet inside OF
three hours deluging every house in the
little town and washing away many of
the outbuildings. In some instances dwell
ings were swept from their foundations.
but lodged against larger and more sub
stantial ones, and were thus saved from
destruction.
Higher up the river the destruction is said
were washed away and several lives are
reported lost. Here n passenger train was
caught by the water, and passengers had
to be rescued from the train by. means OF
ropes which were thrown TO them. Not
over che hundrded yards or the railroad
between there and Ennis, a distance OF
ten miles. appears 10 be left intact. All
towns above there occupying low lands
were submerged and many houses were
washed away. Ritter's sawmllls at Panther
are reported TO have been destroyed. and
every lumber plant in Mcdowell and Mer-
Ger counties has suffered great damage.
1t is impossible to approximately esti-
mate the loss OF life. Early reports sent
out indicated that IL had been very great,
but each subsequent report has lowered the
number. 1t is safe 10 say that less than
100 have persisted. and IL may be that no
more than one-half or possibly onefourth
that number have been lost Early reports
sent out have proved 70 he grossly exas-
gerated.
The Twelve-poie river is rising and no
trains of any kind have been able TO go
further east than Dingess. and no wire Ia
In working order beyond that place. 90