The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-15
Flood at Pittsburg Goes Three
Feet Above Record.
Ten Square Miles of the City
Under Water.
ENORMOUS DAMAGE.
Twenty Fatalities Directly Due
to High Water.
Women MarOOned Watch Scene
From Hotel Windows.

Pittsburg, Pa, March 15.-Pitts-
burgers today were amazed at the i'm
mensity of the flood of the Mononga-
hela, Allegheny and Ohio rivers, which
have submerged 10 square miles In the
downtown section of the city. AFTER
reaching the highest stage ever known,
81 feet, the water slowly recedeo-
Enormous damage has been causeo'
over 100000 persons have been tenn
porariiy thrown out of employment'
every transportation company in this
city is crippled, skiffs are carrying
hundreds of people to their places OF
business and the utilization or wagons
and horses as conveyances, Whlch ulu
an inestimable service yesterday, were
discontinued, owing to strenuous pro-
tests by the humane society.
Twenty fatalities have occurred III
Allegheny county, directly due to hlgh
water.
Four massive bridges. the Sixteenth
Ninth, Seventh and Sixth street struS-
lures were threatened with destruc-
ton owing to heavy ice gorges which
came down the Allegheny river, ana II
is believed they have been greatly
weakened. That the bridges We're Ilos
swept away is considered HlarNSlouS
Frightened feminine guests in the
Lincoln Colonial, Annex and Ander-
son hotels, located in the midst OF the
1ood scene. are marooned and are
watching the high water from the WIN
-Four theaters, the Gayety.. Alvin;
Belasco and Bijou, are hoodeo anu
will be dark for several days.
Most of the fire engines in the down
town district are pumping water from
buildings along Fifth avenue.
At the First National Bank building
FIFTH avenue and Wood street the base-
ment is submerged to a depth of sew
eral feet and strenuous efforts are being
made to protect the dynamos Wnich
generate power to the Western Ohion
Telegraph company. Inc ounces VI - -
Associated Press are located III this
building and momentarily 1t was eX-
nected throughout the night that the
wires of these organizations woulo ran.
Strenuous efforts of force or men as
sisted by a fire engine saved the uyna-
NOS b,It shortly before 8 O'Clock the
electric light dynamo succumpea 10 tne
effect of the waters.
Outside of Pittsburg damage run
ming into millions of dollars, has peen
done: many towns are entirely cut on
from this city, thousands of families
have been forced from their homes
and it is expected these conditions VIII
prevail for several days AT Wneel-
done and train and telegraph service
is shut off. The crest of the flood has
not reached that point.
To add to the confusion in Pittsburg
two early morning fires broke OUT: me
fremen experienced difficulty in night
ing the flames owing to a shortage or
s5+er in the mains caused by the
,o1uTne of water which demoralized
everything.
-Four Persons Drowned.
Parkersburg, w. Va, March 15--F'our
persons were drowned late last night In
an EFFORT to escape from their tottering
home at Riverside to place OF safety
from the flood
and son are the victims. They had pro-
ceeded only q few yards from their
house when the torrent overturned
their slxiff.
Crisis Is Passed.
GAINESVILLE, O., March 15.-The crisis
in the local flood situation has doubt
less passed. The river reached a stage
of 90 feet Six hundred homeless fam
lies are being cared for by the city.
Churches: school houses and fire sta
tions are filled with them.
Fire Added to Flood.
East Liverpool, o., March 15.-The
electric porcelain plant in the east end
was destroyed by fire today. Loss $780,
600.
Standard Brick Works burned this
morning. Loss 100000.
All business here is at standstill.
The river is higher than since 1884. Ali
the potterfes have closed. The electric
light plant is flooded. The waterworks
is out of commission, and the reserve
supply is running low.
Cleveland and Pittsburg railway
trains have been annulled.
500 Houses Flooded.
weIIsville, o.. March 15.-Twenty-
three streets here are under water.
About 300 houses are flooded.