New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-01

Down in the-centre of the town. where
the fun power of the flood was felt the
scene is without, parallel. Children
scarcely able to toddle weak from lack
~ food and sleep. wander about in
search of their parents many of whom
are dead. Women mingled frequently in
the crowd some of them crying, others
dry eyed and hollow checked. searching
FOR their lost families.
But the most heartrending sight of all
was the strong men one met at every
hand. Many of them had no power to
act They cried as did the women and
children. and in one instance man who
had lost his all. family and property, sat
down i'm the mud OF the street and
PRAYED. No one noticed him. Those who
were strong enough went about the bust
ness Of looking after those whose lives
might still Doe saved.
Davis Feeds the Hungry.
BUT through this wilderness Of suffer-
ing appeared the light of charity. Harry
Davis led them all. His house, far above
the flood line had escaped the rushing
waters. His larder had been well sup
piled for the Sunday dinner, and he
threw it open 90 the less fortunate.
scores of persons were fcc At his door
step until al The house afforded had
been consumed Then he drew on d
store Of crackers ne CHANGED TO have,
and dealt them out To women and chill
dren as long as they lasted. When they
were exhausted he could do no more
than comfort his neighbors and friends.
and he was engaged i'm this good work
when the whirring Of an automobile en-
gine sounded along the muddy road.
Davis was out in an instant. The longed
for help from Coudersport had arrived
First Relief Arrives.
1t was an automobile belonging 70
Judge Umpstead, of that place. He had
been among the first 10 move when he
heard of the catastrophe. Hastily call
Ing the women of his household to-
gether. he asked them to suggest the
things most needed i'm a community
swept by flood. Then he called for his
automobile. and visiting the grocery
stores of the town soon had his driver
started on the way.
1t was a Ions. hard trip over the hills
and the roads We're muddy but at II
o'clock the driver saw the flames from
the burning town and FASTENED to
reach the house of Harry Davis. There
he unloaded part OF the provisions
for the hungry women and children
and. pressing a number Of men into
service, carried the remainder down
into the town. where suffering ran riot.
1t was the first relief the people had
found. and II gave them courage.
The hospital is filed with the injured
and many others are being cared for in
buildings not yet touched by the fire
which continued to eat its way through
the night along the hillside. Many vic
tins were gathered up I'm the streets
after the water receded. and others We're
brought in from down Freeman Run. be-
yond the railroad shops where they had
been thrown up ON the hillside
There are many stories Of how the
people died, when one can induce the
busy humanitarians to stop for a mo-
mont and relate what they saw. one In
stance will serve TO show of how little
value life appeared to that great roll
ing, growing wall of water. a dozen
on fifteen persons were seen to seek the
shelter Of the Commercial House, sub
stantal brick building i'm Main street.
Among them was woman with a child.
The water swept down on the building
and when the wave had passed not one
brick remained upon another
Hotel and People Swept Away
And the people! Nothing has beep
seen Of them since. Guests at the
hotel. together with the owner DIT.
Irwin. are believed to have escaped just
before the water struck the structure.
Not one Of the bodies swept down from
this part of the town has been recov-
cred
The postofice occupied part Of the
Bank Of Austin building, and on the
upper floor was a doctors office The
food crushed i'm the side Of the building.
Wrecking the banks quarters and
damaging tho postofice portion. The
doctors Office was swept almost bare Of
its furniture.
Turner street was the finest residential
portion of the village. Here every man
owned his own home and was prosper
Gus. Tonight not a house is standing.