Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-17
FLOOD MOVES SOUTH
Threatening Situation on the
Lower Ohio.
MARIETTA HIT VERY HARD
Crest of the Wave Not Yet at
Cincinnati.
LEvEES FAIL AT PORTSMOUTH
Merchants and Manufacturers Are
Heavy Losers-Fuel in Great De-
mand-Entire Family Drowned.
LEvEES FAIL AT PORTSMOUTH

lions have about assumed their normal
trend and by Monday at least, a complete
resumption will be possible.
The water is receding even more quickly
than 1t rose. With the exception of low
lands below the city, the water has SUBJ
sided to its natural course. Since afternoon
the water has fallen three feet and by to-
morrow a stage Of little over ten feet is
calculated.
Tonight the task of cleaning up the
streets in the downtown district was COM
pleted. Large forces Of men are clearing
the interiors Of buildings and repairing
them for resumption Of business Monday
morning.
Throughout the Pittsburg district and
western Pennsylvania similar work has
been under way for the past twenty-four
hours, and the completion Of the work is
now in sight.
Several mills and manufacturing estab-
lshments began operations tonight and an
endeavor will be made to make up for the
time lost. Within two or three days 1t is
thought all the mills will have resumed.
Loss Is in Millions.
The loss in the Pittsburg district is es-
imated at 100000. Reports from up
river points increase the damage done by
the flood in western Pennsylvania at least
s., GEO 600 more
The exact number Of fatalities caused by
the high water has not yet been ascer-
tanned. A score of persons are known to
have met death in the flood, but today ad-
ditiOnal reports Of many deaths were re-
ceived by the coroner from surrounding
towns. However, the reports have not as
yet been verified
The work of relief in Pittsburg, Allegheny
and McKeesport is being carried on in ex
cellent shape. The council of McKeesport
appropriated $500 to take care of the
flood victims of that city, and this amount
was greatly increased by private subscrib-
ers. In Pittsburg and Allegheny the chart
ties departments are caring for the suf-
ferers.
The health authorities are taking every
precaution to prevent an epidemic of sick
ness. Everybody is urged to boil the water,
and it is said if these instructions are car
ried out an epidemic is impossible.
Car Service Resuming. "r.,
The department of building inspection is
making a thorough investigation. of the
buildings which were submerged by water.
1t Is believed that many of the old struc-
lures were weakened by the pressure of the
large volume of water. Today two-story
dwelling in Allegheny collapsed. No one
was injured. The probabilities are that
other buildings will collapse
Electric light plants were repaired today
and after two days of darkness street
lamps were lighted tonight.
The street car service is almost in full
operation, with the assurance that COM
plete resumption will be possible by Mon
day.
The filtration plant. Pittsburg's new water
works now under construction at ASpinWall
a suburb, valued at several millions of dol
lars, Is now said to have escaped damage
1t was believed the plant had been seriously
crippled.
Despite the fact that their property was
in the direct path Of the flood. river inter-
ests have suffered less than any other class
of business. This is accounted for by the
rivermen being always prepared for flood,
and their property is mostly on floating
craft, which strong hawsers and careful
manipulation are able to hold fast. h.ver-
men were kept busy tonight preventing
their property lodging on the banks of the
rivers as the waters recede. Several yes
sells were pulled off the bank today by tow
boats.
River interests claim that their losses are
not heavy, although careful accounting
will be necessary to accurately judge.
SOdi SilpLHtHtS Will Ue HldUo tomorrow,
when several big tows of coal will start
south. There were about 100000 bushels
of coal in the harbor during the food, but
no losses are reported.
Situation Down Stream.
The flood situation in southern Ohio is
still serious tonight. with the Ohio river
rising. The crest of the flood will probably
reach Cincinnati on Monday at sxty-t
feet.
Up the river the situation is even more
serious. This is especially true at Marietta
and Portsmouth. where the crest Of the
flood Is passing.
At Marietta two-thirds of the city is flood
ed and there is considerable suffering
among the inhabitants The people are in
dire distress; as nearly all Of the groceries
in the town have been flooded. Flour is de-
lvered to the people on the hill, who are
baking bread for those who have been
driven from their homes.
At Portsmouth two levees broke. letting
the water encroach on territory not hereto
fore flooded. Two other levees have been
weakened by the water seeping through,
and may also go.
east end of the city. The breaking Of these
levees has compelled hundreds of people to
vacate their homes and paralyzed manufac-
turing concerns.
Factories Are Closing.
ALI points south of Parkersburg report
continued rising. Point Pleasant being ihir-
teen feet above flood stage. Forecaster
Bassler today said:
'"There will be five feet more addi-
tional water at Cincinnati on Sunday. max
ing about sixty-three feet by Sunday after
noon.
1.-THE river will continue rising until Mon
day or possibly Tuesday.
Flood conditions begin to be felt more
severely An increasing number Of fac
tories were forced to close down this after
noon, as the flood reached the furnaces
Commission and other business houses on
Water street and the river ends of the
north and south thoroughfares were forced
to abandon their store rooms. Navigation
on the river closed during the night, the
water being too high to permit passage
under any bridges.
Deaths at Marietta.
MARIETTA, Ohio. March 18.-The Ohio
river reached sos feet today and kept about
stationary, having previously raised half
an inch per hour for several hours The
Muskfngum is falling.
William McCracken, his wife and two
children were drowned. They were forced
to the second floor by the Hood, and the
swift current upset the house, the entire
family being lost. The water today was