Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-06-29

many places. Details are hard to
gather, for communication destroyed
by Saturdays flood has not yet been
established.
The railroad operator at Pocahan-
tas, twelve miles west of this place,
reports cloud bursts and water three
feet deep in the railroad yard, washing
property away.
Cooper, w. Va, June 2i.-Heayy
rain last night in the head of the
Elkhorn has washed out much of the
new work, and is likely TO delay
traffic.
The bridge on Mill Greek, west OF
Cooper, is washed out.
Williamson, w Va, June 21-- Par
ties reaching here last evening from
the upper end of the flooded district,
bring the first authentic information
received from the scene OF the disas-
ter. The party consisted Of Judge Il.
S. Doolittle, Of Huntingdon; Judge
Flourney, OF Charleston and Elias
Hatfield Deputy Sheriff OF Mingo
county.
Their journey to this CITY has been
a.perilous one. Judge Dooiittle started
to wade one stream. Laurel Greek,
and came near being drowned, floating
some disturbance before being rescued
by two colored men. Judge Flourney
and Mr.. Hatfield gave the same col
ored men $25 to carry them safely
across the stream.
Judge Doolittle told Of the scene OF
devastation between Vivian and
Davy. 1t was tidal wave from a
cloudburst. and swept everything be-
fore II. AT Vivian the water came
roaring down the mountain sides in
monster waves, and people who at
tempted to flee to the hills for safety
were washed back and carried away
by the rain current Of the Elkhorn.
The section was thickly settled, but as
the population consists chiefly OF
miners, who were at work at the
time. the large majority OF the dead
are women and children.
At Keystone the loss Of life was
great. Probably thirty persons perish
ed there.
In one instance people fled to an
island and climbed small trees, only
to be swe pit away fifteen minutes lat
or by the tide, which was filled with
debris of every hind.
Judge Doolittle was on Norfolk
and Western train at Vivian when
the food overlook it, He was in a
sleeper, and on awakening discovered
water rushing through the center
aisle. He was rescued by people near
by on coke ovens by means of boards
being placed to the windows.
On Dry Fork the loss of life is ex-
ceedingly great, and many bodies will
never be identified.
At Brooks the loss Of property is al
so severe, but only three lives are said
to have been lost there.
The region from EMS to Davy, AZ
miles, completely in ruins. Near Davy
horse was found lodged in a drift,
and human body dangling TO the
same, the mans foot having hung in
the sturrip of the saddle. A report has
just reached here that fifteen bodies
are lodged in a drift at Hatfield tun-
mel. 20 miles east of this city.
Eight large steel bridges Were
washed away on the Elkhorn river
alone.
A report has reached here from
Welch that most of the colored miners
are laying off there on protracred
spree and street fights are numerous.
Much theft is reported in the de-
wasted district. Even clothing is
being torn from the dead bodies.
The loss of property by the flood ON
the Elkhorn and Tug River is now
roughly esti mated at IS. 900, 900.
The efforts of the large force OF