The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-10-03

and it's surviving spectators fully real
lied how great a tragedy, the ele-
ments of water and fire had enacted
in the natural amphitheatre of the
Allegheny mountains, was lifted by
dawn Sunday, recalling a CHASTITY
scene of death and devastation.
Whole families hare been wiped
out, among them being some of the
leading residents Of the town. The
number of dead is placed at between
four and five hundred, the popula-
ton of the town having been 5000
before the disaster. Near the juno
tion of Freeman Run with another
small stream in the middle Of the
business section, the primary cleo
ton was in progress and many men
were IN the vicinity. They did not
hear the warning shout, and all of
them are believed to have been car
ried away. Not trace of the build
ing in which the election was being
held can be seen.
When the great mass of crushed
and broken timbers came crashing
down they lodged against the railway
shops. Impact was Sc great that the
buildings ,shivered, and the walls
were crushed in, but the frame work
stood and formed a carrier. Here,
as elsewhere, the natural gas pipes
burst and fire was quickly communi-
Gated to the heterogeneous mass. Men
were caught before they could leave
their machines. Scores of them were
crushed to death without warning,
but others were pinaed down and
met a most horrible death in the
rapidly kindled flames.
Maddened by the sights about him
one man, with tears streaming down
Ills cheeks, cried for volunteers to
save the lives of men whose cries
for help were gradually growing
fainter. Seizing bucket this un-
known hero dashed into the stream,
filed it with water, and calling for
help, r;.n towards a point where it
appeared one man might be saved,
Others followed his example but to
no purpose. Gas and heat combined
to drive them back and they even
tually gave up the battle.
A little girl, abou. fifteen years
old, was caught in the crush. The
flames were approaching her with
lightning rapidity. Pinned down un-
der a heavy timber, oae leg crushed,
it was impossible for her to free her
self. Hearing her cries for help, an
unknown man chopped at the timber
to rescue her but his strength gave
out.
Meantime a crowd had gathered;
when the volunteer showed signs Of
weakening another sprang forward,
snatched the axe from his hands and
attacked the timber with vigor. The
heat drove him away as we'll as 9th
ers, a doctor saw at a glance the tire
would be upon them before the tim
ber could be forced to yield. With
calm precision he levaled the axe at
the leg Of the helpless victim, a
stroke or two and II was all over.
The leg was severed, willing hands
caught up the little girl and carried
her to the hospital oE the hill. Her
life may be saved.
Reports from Costello and points
further down the Sinnamohaning
grew more encouraging as Sunday
advanced. At Costello while there
was heavy financial loss, it was said
that not more than three persons
were dead. Beyond that point no
fatalities had been reported.
The survivors vii! not suffer from
hunger or lack of care as the sup.
Plies and medical assistance rushed
to the scene seem ample. T. F.
Ricknell, national director Of the Ma
tional Red Cross, arrived Sunday,
bringing with him $4,000 in cash
for immediate aid t. the flood vic
tins.
Til" omeless ha!' all beer p"o-
yi'cd with shelter. ~ the ou.sk'r:s
of Austin are a number Of houses
which were vacated by workers in
the Goodyear mill when that plant
was dismantled. These houses have
been filed with homeless people.
The residents of Kcating Summit
have taken in the others, several
hundred in number. Provisions con-
tinue 10 arrive in large quantities
and there will be no suffering for
lack of food.