Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1911-10-05

According to the latest and most
trustworthy estimates, the num-
ber Of persons who lost their lives
by the collapse OF the dam will not
exceed 900 and may fall as low as
$50, the larger number being re-
ported missing.
After an all-day search through
the debris, which, however, has
been little more than scratched
on the surface, only 16 bodies had
been recovered.
OF the Inhabitants of the town
d Costello only two perished.
Not more than eight injured are
being treated In the little hos
pital at Austin, which escaped de-
struction because it stands on the
hillside, and all the injured are
expected to get well.
The property loss is put at not.
less than $4,000, 900.
AS the timber In that sectionSof
Pennsylvania is nearly cut out, it
is the prevailing belief that Aus
tin will never be rebuilt.
Prompt measures were taken to
maintain order. prevent footing
and ward of disease, the State
Constabulary being dispatched to
the scene of destruction and the !
/ Stats sanitary officers conferring
on hygienic measures.
An inquest will be held some
time this week to Ak the RESPONSE
bility for the disaster.
Austin, Pa: From $50 to 800 out Of
Z population of 5000 were drowned
and untold numbers were MANNED
here when the great dam Of the Bay
less Pulp and Paper Company, holding
back more than five hundred million
gallons of water, went out. Forty
bodies have been recovered, many Of
them so mutilated that recognition is
impossible Chaos reigned from the
moment the mighty wall of water tore
through the town.
The Dam Breaks.
The dam was built two years ago, q
great structure $50 feet long spanning
the little valley formed by Freeman
Run and rising to the height of As
feet. It was OF concrete, 80 feet
wide at the base and said to be con
structed after the most approved
plans Of modern engineering.
1T was a wonderful sight said
Harry Davis, q Buffalo and Susque
hanna locomotive engineer, who was
in the, little knot.of persons near the
dam. i.
There was nothing to indicate that
the dam was about to. give way, and
some one had just remarked about It'll
strength. when with a shorp report q
hole was burst in the west end. In 8
moment water poured through. and
1t was Immediately seen that the hole
was getting larger. In q minute il
was 20, feet wide and extended almost
the, entire height Of the dam. Their
there was another report, and it seem
ed as If the, whole structure was Civ
ing way
With a cry OF alarm fed to the
nearest high ground and persons
scattered In every direction. 1t was
apparent that all the great body d
water behind the dam was going out
Some were caught, and before could
tell what was happening the water
was tearing down Freeman Run :
wall so feet high and sweeping every
thing before it.
Fire Follows Flood.
The sound was deafening. But
had little time for that There waf
. house close by and rushed to the
telephone and called the Central ii
Austin. She did not have much time
to telephone the alarm. but think
she did her best guess she is dead
I. haven't heard anything about hel
since.
r came down to Austin as soon as
possible, hut it Was an awful sight
The water had torn through the place
taking all the principal buildings and
crushing houses like egg shells. Their
the FIRE broke out. The timbers ano
sides of houses were piled up against
the railroad shops. and they were soor
in fiames / knew there were men II
the shops, how many cannot say but
there was no way to help them They
were probably burned up.
II don't know how the fire started
but it seemed as though it began in 3
score of places at once. The postoffict