The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-05-27
Traction Tracks Are Washed
Away, Houses Almost SUBJ
merged, and Other Damag-
es Are the Result.
THE EFFECT IN RICHMOND
IN THIS CITY NEW MACADAM
STREETs WERE WASHED INTO
BURROWS AND EVERYBODY
DRIVEN TO A SAFE RETREAT.

With all the vigor that the heavenly
Blacksmith could summon, Vulcan
with titanic stroke, released the
flood gates Of the skies last night and
y deluge such as seldom been precipi-
kated on Wayne county, was released
last night. 1t was about 8 O'Clock
that the curtain of the night was rent
by ziz-zag streaks of lightning that
played back and forth through the
Stygian darkness, accompanied by omi-
nously foreboding rolls OF thunder.
In the city OF Richmond the rainfall
WAS terrific. but nothing to be com.
pared with that that inundated the
northwest part of the county. In the
city the streets were overflowed. Gut
tiers could not carry the water as fast
as 1t collected on the surface. The
rcurbs were lost sight Of beneath the
whirling, dirty waters. Sidewalks
were covered and sewers were stopped
mp. Main street looked like mill
race, 20 rapidly did tho water run
Through tia xuttArn II did not rain
in drops. but great splashes Of water
came down, and with such. force that
Il resembled greatly cascade.
Poured and Poured. q
New macadam streets were washed
anto burrows. Gravel streets were
,plowed through by the flood Debris
sof all sorts. was swirled through the
sstreets. At several crossings where
the catch-basins became clogged, or
twere too small to accommodate the
f1ush of water. deposit of mud an
Inch deep was made. It poured and
poured. Persons were driven Off the
etreets In haste. Business was prac-
itically suspended. An umbrella Of
,fered no protection and cravanette
WAS as cheesecloth. 1t has been a
dozen years since such torrent Of
water VAS thrown upon this city.
North and east Of the city the rain
was not so hard at this time. The
river rose several inches, but nothing
like what might have been expected.
AT about 2 o'clock In the morning
there was another downpour that was
almost as heavy as that Of the earlier
Aour.
HaoerstoWn Suffers.
Outside Of the city severe damage
was done in some parts. Hagers-
town and vicinity suffered the most.
"A veritable cloudburst dumped It's bur
county. West River went out Of its
banks and desruction OF property fol-
lowed West Of the city along the
Terrc Haute. Indianapolis 4 Eastern
Traction company's line. there was
number OF small washouts, one more
serious than the rest. being at Knights
town. Along the Dayton & Western
the roadbed was washed, also. but the
fact stone was used for ballast on this
road proved an impediment to the en-
croaching torrents.
Just east Of Knightstown the trac-
tion company's tracks were covered by
two feet OF water. The 5:25 o'clock
west-bound limited car from this city
was the last to pass over the tracks
before 10 O'Clock. The roadbed was
washed from beneath the rails and
ties Passengers on the eastbound
oimited car as well as those on the 10
cal cars were stranded at Knightstown
and Greenfield. At last arrange
ments were made to transfer them TO
another car that had been sent west
from Dunreith. The company had a
force Of men on the spot fighting the
water and trying to make repairs. But
It was on . hill slope and there was
Fear OF a landslide.
Wonen Screamed.
When the car drew near to the place
from the west and the passengers were
told to get across the best they could.
women screamed and men groened.
The going had been helped out by the
workmen who had placed boards to
walk on. Lighted BY the nickering1
lanterns the passengers made their
way across, the water swirling beneath
Them. There were gallant men In the
crowd and some who were glad they
were not. Sam Laehley Of Center
Fills, essayed to lead the way. Tell
em to follow u.s." said Lashley as he
started across Hs had taken but a
Rew steps when he plunged into the
muddy current up to his neck. The
others managed to cross In safety. but
i was necessary to exercise care.
The worst damage done In the cour-
y = TeDostsd tron HAsssstow1. West