Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-16
DAMAGE REACHES MILLIONS
Thousands of Men Are Being
Thrown Out of Work.
FRESHETS OVER A WIDE AREA
Property Owners Had Somewhat
More Warning This Year Than
Last-Still Suffering Is Great. 3

Reports received from various
places in Indiana, Ohio and Penn
sylvania tonight show that as
result of rains and the mild
weather of the past few days melt
ing the snow, rivers are rising
rapidly. Thus far, however, no
lives have been lost.
AdviceS from Utica, y. ". arc
to the effect that a swirling,
smashing volume of water is
sweeping through the Mohawk
valley tonight, carrying away
barns and other small buildings.
The worst flood in years pre-
vailed at South Buffalo TODAY.
Thousands of acres of land, much
of it residence property, is buried
under the water and hundreds of
citizens were taken to dry places
in boats, which were rowed along
the residence streets.
PITTSBURG. Pa. February 15.-
Spreading ruin and disaster in its path
the annual flood OF the rivers and small
streams Of this section holds Pfttsburg
in its grasp tonight.
At 10 o'clock the water had reached
a stage of twenty-six feet and was ris-
ing a half foot an hour. The weather
bureau predicts thirty feet by tomor-
row morning. and possibly a foot higher
when the crest Of the flood arrives late
Sunday afternoon.
While the weather conditions tonight
are much colder and snow nurries are
experienced at Intervals, the changed
conditions will have absolutely no effect
on the high water.
At the headwaters the rivers continue
to rise. and scores OF cities and towns
in western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio
and West Virginia are partially inun-
dated.
In the Pittsburg district alone the
damage. 1t is expected. will amount to
several million dollars.
Appeals for Sufferers.
The record flood of last year. when the
water reached a stage of 361z feet, caused
damage estimated at $4,000 900. but suf-
ficient warning was given this year to
save much property. A conservative esti-
mate places the number Of men thrown
out of work by the flood here at 2OOOD
This great increase to the army of un-
employed is expected to result in much
suffering. The men are employed in the
mills, manufacturing plants. business
houses and coal mines located in the
flood zone. For weeks charitable organi-
cations have been soliciting funds for the
unemployed. and today additional appeals
were made for contributions to assist
the flood victims.
The high water has been responsible
for numerous narrow escapes and
thrilling rescues. but up to late tonight
no fatalities have been reported. Dur
ing the flood last year a score of per-
sons met death directly or indirectly
on account of the high water.
Skiff Patrol Is Started.
All the lowlands OF Greater Pittsburg
are submerged. The tracks of the Pitts
burg and Western railroad. Bessemer
and Lake Erie, Baltimore ani Ohio.
Pittsburg Virginia and Charleston and
several other roads are under water at
a number of points. Along the latter
line heavy landslides have occurred.
making Transportation slow and danger
Gus. Trolley lines in the flood districts
are crippled, and on several lines serv-
ice has been entirely abandoned.
A number of street pavements collapsed
in this city today and thousands OF Gel
lars are filled with water. causing con-
siderable damage TO foundations.
great number of families have been
compelled to move their household goods
to upper stories. They go to and fro in
skiffs.
On the north side of Pittsburg tonight
the policemen are patrolling their beats
in skiffs.
At Wheeling W. Va: Steubenville.
Ohio. and other points below this city
the flood waters are expected to reach
serious proportions late Sunday night or
Monday morning.