The Mena weekly star., 1907-03-21
THE OHIO VALLEY FLOOD.
Water Reached 37 Feer, the High est Point Ever Known at
 pittsburg.
ENORMOUS DAMAGE MAS BEEN CAUSED
Bridace Across the Allegheny River Weakened by Heavy Ice Gcrges --Fire Adds to Flood Damage Wheeling. W. Va, Cut of From Communication by Flood.

Communication by Flood.
 Pittsburg. March Pittsburgert Friday were amazed at the immen sity of the flood in the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio rivers which has submerged 10 square miles in the downtown section of the city. AT ter reaching the highest stage ever known, 37 feet, the water slowly re- ceded. Enormous damage has been caused; over 100000 persons have been temporarily thrown out Of em- ployment. every transportation com pany in the city is crippled; skiffs are carrying hundreds of people to their places of business and the utilization of wagons and horses as conveyances, which did inestimable service Thursday were discontinued owing to strenuous protests by the humane society Twenty fatalities have occurred in Allegheny county, directly due to high water.
 Four massive bridges, the Six teenth, Ninth, Seventh and Sixth street structures were threatened with destruction owing to heavy ice gorges which came down the Ale gheny river and 1t is believed they have been greatly weakened. That the bridges were not swept away is considered marvellous by river men.
 Frightened feminine guests in the Lincoln. Colonial, Annex and Ander- son hotels, located in the midst of the flood zone, are marooned and are watching the high water from the windows.
 Four theaters. the Gayety. Alvin, Belasco and Bijou are flooded and will be dark fer several days.
 Most of the fire engines in the downtown district are pumping wa ter from buildings along Fifth ave nue.
 At the First National bank build ing, Fifth avenue and Wood street the basement is submerged to depth of several feet and strenuous efforts are being made to protect the dynamos which generate power to the Western Union Telegraph com pany. The office of the Associated press is located in this building and momentarily it was expected throughout the night that the wires of these organizations would fall. Strenuous efforts of force of men assisted by fire engine. saved the dynamos. but shortly before 3 o'clock the electric light dynamo succumbed to the effect of the waters.
 Outside of Pittsburg damage run ming into millions of dollars has been done; many towns are entirely cut off from this city, thousands of lam flies have been forced from tneir homes and it is expected these con ditions will prevail for several days.
 At Wheeling, W. Va, great damage has been done and train and tele- graphic service Is shut off The crest of the flood has not reached that point
 Four business houses ana ,,i55 i55 ground in the Mount Washington district or Twenty-seventh ward. across the Monongahela river. Two attempts were made to stop the flames by dynamiting adjacent build incs but the wreckage caught fire. No water is available and the flames were being fought with chemicals and a bucket brigade.
 Fire Friday destroyed the plant of the American Sheet X Tinplate com pany and slightly damaged the bolt works of the Oliver Iron & Steel works. adjoining. The loss to the tinplate company was about S25,00o and to. the oliver company sl,0o0.
 East Liverpool, O., March l6.- The electric porcelain plant In the east end was destroyed by fire Fri day. The loss is about sS0,o00. All business here is at standstill. The river is higher than since 1884. All the potteries are flooded, The wa ter works is out of commission and the reserve supply Is running low Cleveland X Pittsburg railway trains have been annulled.
 Parkersburg, W. Va, March l6.-- Four persons were drowned late Thursday night in an effort to es' cane from their tott@ing home al Riverside to place of safety from the flood. William Francis, his wife daughter and son are victims. They had proceeded only few yards from their house when the torrent over turned their skiff
 Zanesyille. O.. March t6.-The