Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-10-05
Fire Follows in Path Of DeIuse, Com
pIetine Work of Destruction-Mil
Whistle, MuttIed by Roar of Tor
rent, Sounds Alarm in Vain-Nar-
row Valley Becomes Mill Race for
SOC, ooo,o 900 Gallons Of Water That 10
Let Loose Without Warning.

Austin, Pa.-Flood, followed by fire,
killed $50 persons in Austin, when
the great dam of the Bayless Pulp
and Paper company went out, releas-
ing 500, 600, 900 gallons of water.
Residence and business blocks were
destroyed and almost every person in
the city of 5000 inhabitants was left
homeless.
Passing through Austin, the water
swept on to the little town of Costello,
four miles below here, completely wip-
ing out the place. The population OF
the town was between 400 and 500.
Two-thirds of the inhabitants per-
tshed.
Houses crumbled Like Paper.
Within a few seconds after the dam
went out the water was on Austin
with all it's force. Houses and stores
crumbled before it like SO much pa
per, and men, women and children
were picked up like mannikins and
hurled along by the food.
Fire ragged among those buildings
that were left standing in the midst
of swirling waters.
The fire was caused by broken gas
mains, and the people were frantic.
The scene rival the Youngstown hor-
ror. Thieves started to work, and a
frenzied mob of citizens kicked one OF
the marauders SO frightfully that he
died.
Water Rushes on Without Warning.
The wall of water swept owe the
town and the residents had no warn
ing until the town was engulfed
There were people in from the sur
rounding country and many of these
were drowned.
About a mile and a half from the
town is situated the plant of the Bay
less pulp and paper mills. They have
been constructing a large concrete
dam and millions OF gallons were be
hind it, as the rains have been con
tinually increasing the capacity.
The structure had been weakened
by men working on it and, without
warning, the entire wall broke away
and the food swept down Sinnema
honing creek, hit the little village Of
| Costello, swept it away and carried
the fragments into Austin, where thu
death list is the greatest. Austin hat
NO warning.
Dam Held 500, 10000 Gallons.
The dam, which was $50 feet lonl
and 40 feet high, was 80 feet thick a
the base and held back more than 5O'
millions gallons of water. 1t lay be
tween two mountains and overlooked
the town.
For the first time since its con
struction, two years ago, the waite
was running over the top, just befor'
the break, and many went from Aus
tin, half a mile away, to e the un
usual sight.
Men were in the streets, womel
nursing babies in their homes and tn
awful calamity came on them una
wares. f
Reports state that the wall of waite
was twenty feet high. 1t passed owe
the town and then rapidly subsidet
Men, women and children were tosse
about on its crest like egg shells
Those in the south end of the tow
had a bare resemblance of a chance
The hills were close by and they ra
for their lives.
State constabulary were rushed t
the scene and assisted the sufferin
and Quelled what violence prevalen
at the scene of the horror. Thieve
Immediately made their presenc
known when the waters from the dar
receded and began to rob the bodie
of the dead who had been caught I
the onrush of the waters.
In several instances we're the thiev
caught by grief-stricken citizens, VIII
stopped long enough from thei
mourning over the dead or missing I
Immediately pounce upon the bod
robbers and beat them to a pulp. Sc
eral of a band Of robbers were thu
caught and terribly beaten and kicke
and left dying where they fell.
Surrounding towns near Aust
swell the total estimated dead to tn
figures of $50, over 500 Of this nun
Der being In Austin itself.
Mill Whistle Falls to Save Lives.
There is telephone communicate
between the town and the dam Of tn
paper mill, and when the dam brol
the big whistle on the mill was tie
An Obvious Need.
Lawyer: Your honor, / have hel
six alienists who will swear that m
client Is insane.
Judge: Well, counsel, where al
the experts to swear that your allie
lists are not ~crazy.--Puck.