davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1911-10-01
AUSTIN IN DANGER
IN JANUARY, 1910
Breach Blown in Tottering
Wall Saved Town Then.

Cordersport. Sept. 3o-Hundreds OF
persons from the city have gone to the
aid of Austin. Special relief trains
were rushed by the Buffalo and Sus-
quehanna Railroad.
Calls for help were sent to Keating,
Summit. Emporium. and other towns
near there.
Less than two years ago Austin was
threatened with similar destruction. The
danger at that time occurred through the
neglect of the builders of the dam to
provide an outlet for the surplus water.
There was drain pipe, but it was with
out a valve and as last expedient
volunteers risked their lives to blow a
breach in the tOttering wall. This act
prevented the destruction of the town.
The dam was completed in November,
1863 by the paper company at a cost
of d00,C0c. 1t was a wall of concrete,
ffty-ffve feet high and 600 feet long across
the top. The company's plant, of which
the dam was part, is estimated to be
worth $1,000, 600.
A lake n mile and a half long and very
wide, and having an average depth of
seven feet, was formed by the dam 1t
had only been finished two months when
IL gave the Inhabitants of Austin their
first fright. Snow had fallen for fort
night and was followed by rain.
A cap had been bolted over the outlet
pipe provided by the engineers. A great
volume of water a mile and a half in
length and 900 feet across piled up back
of the fresh masonry
Early on the morning of January "a,
1910. workman, who lived near the dam.
saw the great wall buckle and slide for
ward A stream OF water gushed from
the fissures. Without waiting TO see
whether the great wall held. the fright
The Washington herald., 1911-10-01
FEW HOUSES LEFT
IN STRICKEN TOWN
Austin Was the Home of
State Senator Baldwin.

Coudersport. Sept. 3O-Austin is the
home of Senator Frank f. Baldwin, a
member of the Philadelphia Lexow COM
mittee. His home was swept away, and
his aged father and mother were drown
N c. Collins. one of the yard superin-
tendents of the Goodyear Lumber Com
pany.
Senator Baldwin had very large inter-
ests there, and he will be one of the
heaviest losers. Ex-Registrar and Re-
corder William Nelson. a leading mer-
chant. and his wife were lost
Deputy Prothonotary and Clerk George
Sutton, of the county commissioners.
saved the family of DR.. Worwan. pro-
prietor of the Commercial Hotel, with
only a moment to spare.
One brave mother with ten children
saved them all.
Every business in the place except the
Goodyear Hotel block. owned by Senator
Baldwin was swept away. The CONNER
cial Hotel. a large brick three-story
structure. was completely torn from its
foundation and not a brick or stone is
left. About the only building left is the
Austin Bank building, which was located
up hill. a corner OF II was torn out
This is II partnership bank. owned by
George c. Bayless and his brother. Ed
ward, of Binghamton. y. Y, who are
also owners of the destroyed paper plant
N. n. Metcalf, superintendent of the
Goodyear Lumber Company, and Senator
Baldwin are partners. The paper plant
including the dam that went out, cost
a million dollars. Houses wiped out were
Sykes Brothers. dry goods; Austin Hard
ware Company. c A. Cooper. William
Nelson. S. Deiches, of New York, gen.
eral store.
The Bell Telephone Company soon had
connection with the outside world, and
through COngr ressman NJ f. Olmsted OF
Harrisburg. Gov. Tener and the board OF
charities were asked for assistance
Nearly all of the surgeons within a
thirty-mile radius hurried TO the scene,
and everything possible is being done for
the suffering.
At the time your correspondent left
the scene men and women were going
about shrieking for their loved ones
The streets and roads were filled with
men carrying the dead and wounded 10
temporary shelter. All the residences not
located on the hills are gone, and to-
far as is possible at the homes located
on the hill. While these buildings are
safe, gas and water plants are destroyed
and they are without heat or light.
Coudersport alone is represented in
the work of the rescue by fifty automo-
biles and many more teams.
The Washington herald., 1911-10-01
GANG Of THUGS
NABBED; CHARGED
WITH ROBBERY
Three Men Are Caught After
Two HOld-ups.
OLD SOLDIER ATTACKED

Three men, believed by the police
to be the mysterious gang that for
weeks has terrorized the slum sec
ton of the city after nightfall, were
arrested early this morning by De
tectives Howes and MeSser and are
now held at the First precinct with
two charges of highway robbery
committed within a few hours OF
each other-against them.
The men are Norman Cleveland,
of 355 Pennsylvania avenue north
west; Charles E. O'Hagan, of Sill
yer Spring, Md, and J. w. Taylor,
of 933 Virginia avenue southwest.
TWO OF VICTIMS.
The two men who have identified them
as their assailants are Richard Grove,
Of Fairfax Court House. Va. and Pat
rick James Brady, a seventy-fve-year-
old veteran of the civil war. who lives
at the Soldiers Home. Both men were
badly beaten.
The first case against the three men
was discovered by the detectives shortly
after midnight. The three persuaded the
old soldier to accompany them to a lum-
ber pile. near Thirteen-and-a-half street
and Ohio avenue. on pretense OF
seeing him home. When they got him
TO a deserted spot the three attacked
him, knocking him to the ground and
cutting his face.
Detectives. in Hiding.
The detectives who were hiding in the
vicinity ran to the aged mans rescue
and an instant later were engaged in a
hand to-hand encounter. The three men
battled desperately with the sleuths, and
it was only after O'Hagan and Cleveland
had been knocked down and stunned
that the third man gave in. The three
were taken to the First precinct station,
while policemen led Brady to drug
store.
While the men wer4 being arraigned
in the police station Grove staggered in,
his face bleeding from half a dozen cuts
and bruised to a jelly. One eye was COM
pletely closed and the other was so badly
swollen that he could barely see out OF
it, He announced that three men had
attacked him shortly after II o'clock at
Sixth street and Louisiana avenue north
west
When taken the before three prisoners
Grove instantly identified Cleveland as
one of those who had assaulted him.
The Washington herald., 1911-10-01
Continued from Page One.

every building Immediately in its track
and either carried them down or wrecked
them before their occupants were aware
of what happened. In scores of instances
people were drowned in their homes with
out knowing what had caused the flood.
Fire Spreads I'm wreckaEe.
Buildings that were only partially
wrecked caught fire and the flames are
rapidly devouring the remainder of the
town. Hundreds of survivors have taker
refuge on the hillsides mad with terror
When the flood came, women and chill
dren fled screaming, men cursing ant
fighting back the weaker. animals run
ming wildly about with the instinct Of
preservation guiding them to points OF
safety.
Scores upon scores of persons of al
ages were seen floating, wading ant
scramblng around in the welter >Ot
water. while more than a hundred were
believed to have been swept TO theil
death by the first on-rush of the flood
Mothers with babes in their arms were
seen by your representative and praying
loudly for rescue as the water curled and
eddied about their recumbent forms.
Every telephone line and all out ont
telegraph line went down under the tre-
men0OuS ana sudden impact OF lne Ger
uge. Railroad tracks were washed OFT al
if they were mere spider webs. The
towns fire department buildings were
among the first to 60 Austin Is thus
completely cut off from the outside world
| The scene Of death, desolation, and hope
! less despair is complete.
All Traffic Is Stopped.
| sudden stop has been put 10 all traf'
fic within a wide area of the stricken sec
ton. Railroads have discontinued trains
and help is being rushed over water
4 swollen roads in automobiles, wagons
and other means of conveyance.
Coudersport, the nearest town of any
size, has shipped the entire hospital corps
and all able-b bodied men to the assistance
of the town. which is now reduced TO
mass of wreckage. spread over an area
! twenty times its original size.
! The country around Austin is filled
with wells of natural gas and this even
| ing the gas in the mains began to burn
adding to the horror of the situation.
At o'clock the flames were absolute
| ly beyond control.
The apparatus from Olean, mhich ar
| rived at Austin early in the evening, was
practically useless, as all water cOnnec-
tions in the town had been destroyed by
the flood.
The cries of victims imprisoned in de-
molished burning buildings are heard in
| every section of Austin, and lumber men
are attacking the buildings with any i'm
plement at hand. Forty burned bodies
| have been removed.
The Washington herald., 1911-10-01
RIDES NINE MILES
TO CARRY NEWS
EYEWITNESS to Disaster Tells
of Its Horrors.
by c. J. BUCKLEY,
CWhO rode nine miles on horseback to
report the diSaSter.D

report the d1SaSIer'D
Keating Summit, Pa. Sept. 3O.-I was
an eyewitness to the deluge that, hurl-
ing itself down the SinnamahoninG Val
ley. swept through Austin, picking up
its buildings as though they were kim
ding wood, jamming them into the little
gully below where the town once stood
and burying its inhabitants in the de-
bris.
With my own eyes I saw whole fam
ilies-entire family connections-swept
away. When the flood had passed
saw dozens of persons lying dead in
what had once been streets. / cannot
describe the horror of the scenes.
fed nine miles on horseback to tell the
world of the disaster. AS l sped away
from Austin turned to look back upon
the scene, and dashed away in horror
for everything was gone-beautiful
homes big brick business buildings. the
churches, the opera hOuse-aIl in a
heap at the mouth of the valley and
piled several hundred feet high.
All out of this gigantic pile the flames
were creeping.
could see women. screaming and tear
ing their hair as they crept through the
heaps of injured and dying. Already the
priests and Clcrgymen were busy. Rev
Father O'Brien and Rev Mr. Harter
were doing heroic work. They admins
tered the last rites. Some of the victims
Were without legs and arms; the heads
of some were crushed. II was appalling
Thousands of people lined the hillside
as / hurried away. Some of them were
without clothing, all of them were with
out food, and many were so badly in
jured that they could not walk
Everything 1 have in the world is
swept away | am pennileSs, but l am
happy th have escaped with my life.
The Washington herald., 1911-10-01
G. W. U. DEBATERs MEET.
Peter r. FeIdman Named President
Mt Openinr Meeting.

The Columbia Debating Society of
George Washington University held its
opening meeting last night. Speeches
were made by Dean Gregory, Profs. Gle
phane and Earnest, OF the law depart
ment. and President lie Due, Of the So
ciety.
Dean Gregory urged a renewal of in
tercollegiate debating, and 1t is the
purpose OF the society to direct consid-
erable attention to this feature. Tho
following officers were elected: Better
r. Feldman. president: M. Marcus, vice
president; Arthur Chamberlin, treas
urer; Mrs. Sanbcrn, secretary; executive
committee, w. e. Galley, H. B. Gerhart,
and Mr.. Spencer.
The Washington herald., 1911-10-01

Hnins to Re Released Tomorrow.
Albany, Sept. 30-Gov. Dix to-day sign
ed the pardon of Capt. Peter c. Hains.
too late for his release before Monday.
The Washington herald., 1911-10-01

His eyes were so badly injured that he
was only able to identify this man by
the hat he wore. He stated the three
men had approached him and endeavOred
to borrow money. When he refused. he
said. Cleveland ran toward him and
struck him in the eye. The other men
Joined in the attack and beat him until
he lost consciousness. Grove was later
taken to Emergency Hospital for treat
ment.
The three men will be held for a COM
plete investigation. Police officials as
sert that Cleveland. believed to be the
ring-leader, has been arrested before
Cn the charge of highway robbery.
The Washington herald., 1911-10-01

HOMESEEKERS, we will
give you a title to a lot worth
81, 900 for $35, enabling you to
raise funds from building asso-
Citations or banks on the first
mortgage, we taking second
mortgage for the cost of the lot,
providing you will build a home
at once.
Lots situated in convenient,
desirable northwest section of
the District. Write for particu-
lars. BOX II, Herald office.
The Washington herald., 1911-10-01
FIELD DAYS AT FAIRGROUNDS
School officials VIII Cooperate
with Supervisor Martin.

School authorities are to cooperate
with F. S. Martin. supervisor Of Wash
ington Fairgrounds, in arranging Sc
ries of inter-school field days, to be
held on the Fairgrounds in various sec
tions OF the city.
The first will be held tomorrow at
Georgetown playground. Thirty-third and
Q streets and will be participated in by
pupils from Addison. Hyde. Curtis, Fill
more, jackson. Threlkeld, CorCoran, and
Trinity schools Mrs. Agnes Stewart
and Frank c. Wood will have charge OF
the programme.
The events include chinning the bar.
standing jump. races. basketball. and
volley ball, for the/ boys; basketball.
tether ball. shuttle relays, pass ball re-
lays, and potato shuttle races for the
girls. The school winning the highest
number Of points will be awarded a
banner at the close of the meet
The Washington herald., 1911-10-01
1000 ARE DROWNED WHEN
PENNSYLVANIA DAM BURSTS

ened workmen rushed out toward the
village Men, women, and children left
their breakfast tables and fled off through
lumber trails to the hills. The men fol-
lowed with what few household belong
ings they could snatch in their haste.
But that time the walls held and the
Scare was soon over.
The Washington herald., 1911-10-01
PENROSE SLATE,
EARLE At HEAD,
CARRIES THE DAY
Philadelphia Rejects the Rey-
burn Ticket.
VARE LOSES BY 10000

Philadelphia, Sept 9O.-In to-day's pri-
mary election. the Republican ticket.
headed by George H. Earle, jr.. as may
orally candidate appears to have been
successful over that headed by Mr.. Ware
The vote was heavy, and returns are
very slow coming in. but enough has
been CLEANED to put the Earle plurality
at about 10000.
The following would appear to be nom
mated on the Republican ballot:
Mayor. George H. Earle, jr.; sheriff,
A. Lincoln Acker: recorder of deeds,
Ernest L Tustin. and city solicitor,
James Alcorh.
City comptroller-John NJ. Walton.
Clerk of quarter sessions-Thomas w.
Cunningham.
Coroner-William R. Knight.
The nominees on the Keystone ticket
are as follows-Mayor, Rudolph Blanken-
burg; sheriff, Z. o. Lewis; recorder,
George D. Porter.
PenrOse Gratihed.
Senator Penrose said tonight that he
was highly gratifed at the result Of the
election, and it only proved that the
contractor government and wanted a
business administration. He said that to-
days result presaged a victory at the
polls in November.
Mr. Earle spent the evening with his
family at his home at Radnor. When
advised by telephone of the result of
the balloting he said:
'As 1 said at the beginning. I knew
the people would support me, because
always trusted them. and they have al
ways done so and never suffered for it.
Earle Is FOrgIvfnG.
IAN offenses committed against me per-
sonally during the campaign 1 have al
ready entirely forgotten, and every Tan
in Philadelphia, whether he has bought
it his duty to criticise me or lot, vii
have my friendship so long as he helps
TO keep the pledges that 1 have made to
the people.
L am very much gratified, but more
grateful"
Allegheny in Doubt.
Pittsburg, Sept 3O-At midnight the
results of the primary election are still
in doubt. United states Senator George
T Oliver claims a victory for his entire
ticket, while the faction controlled by
Mayor William A. Magee say returns
from outside the city proper will show
that many of their candidates for county
Offices have been successful.
Arrests were made in nearly every vot-
ing precinct in the county. Fights were
numerous and two entire election boards
were taken to court for alleged irregu-
laritIes.
The Washington herald., 1911-10-01
Designer of Dam Talks.

Special to The Washington Herald.
Wilmington, Del. Sept. 3O.-T. ChalkIey
Hatton, a civil engineer of this city, de-
signed the dam of the Bayless Company
at Austin, Pa, when it was originally
built. He said tonight that two years
ago. when the dam became weak, he ad-
vised it be strengthened. He stated this
was done. but he was not employed on
the work and did not know the nature of
It, He would not venture an opinion as
to the cause OF the disaster.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-08-01
Publication Notice.

State of Illinois. Rock Island Coun-
ty-ss:
Probate Court of Rock 1slasd county.
To the September term, A. ID. 1911.
Petition to sell real estate to pay
debts.
Central Trust & Savings BasK. admin
lstrator C. L a, OF the estate OF Louis
Allars, William Alars. Frank Allars.
Jacob Waldman. and John A. Gavin.
Affidavit or the non-residence OF Sid
ney Allars, Don Allars and Frank AL
lars, defendants above named, having
been filed in the office of the clerk OF
the probate court of Rock Island coun-
~, notice Is hereby given TO the said
Sidney Allars, Don Affairs and Frank
Allars that the said plaintiff, Central
Trust * Savings Bank, administrator G.
[. q. OF the estate of Louis Allars, de-
ceased, has filed its petition in the said
probate court OF Rock Island county for
an order to sell the premises belonging
TO the estate OF said deceased, or so
much Of 1t as may be needed to pay the
debts Of said deceased, and described as
follows, tO-wIt:
All that part OF lot thirteen (13). in
Brashar's subdivision OF the west 74.77
acres of the north one eighth of section
eleven (ll), township seventeen (17)
north, range two 60 west of the 4th
+. M, which lies west of the Trt-City
Railways cOmpany's right OF way. said
premises being formerly known as lots
eleven Cd. twelve (l2). thirteen G3),
(l0), and the alley dividing them in Ed
ward III. Guyer's sub division of said
lot thirteen (l3), and being now Vaca-
ted, situated in Rock Island county,
Illinois. And that a summons has been
issued out OF said court against you,
rctuTnable at the september term, A. u.
1911, Of said court, 10 be holden on the
attn day OF September. a. ID. 1911. at the
court house IN Rock Island, in Rock Is
land county, Illinois.
Now, unless you, the said Sidney Al
lars, Don Allars and Frank Allars, shall
personally be and appear before said
probate court Of ROCK Island county. on
the FIRST day OF "a term thereof, 10 be-
holden at the court house in the city of
Rock Island, in said county, on the Attn
day OF September 1911, and plead. ans
" or or dcmuT to the said mplainant's
petition filed therein, the same and the
matters and things therein charged and
stated VIII be taken as confessed, and
a decree entered against you according
20 the prayer OF SAID bill
Rock Island, Ill. July /. 1911.
JOHN H.. FLEMING, Clerk Pro TEN.
Hugh h. Curtis. complainants so
lic1tOr.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-08-01
Publication Notice.

State of Illinois, County OF Rock ISL
and-ss.
In the circuit court OF the Fourteenth
Judicial Circuit of the state OF Illinois,
held in and for the county OF Rock ISL
and. To the September term, a. ID. 1911.
In Chancery.
Eliza Doty, Stella Doty and Gertie
Prouty, complainants. VS.. John Dill, the
unknown heirs or deViSeeS OF John Dill.
deceased, Hamilton Dill, the unknown
heirs or deViseoS of Hamilton Din, de-
ceased, Marian Dill. the unknown heirs
or deViseeS of Marian Dill, deceased
the unknown owners OF the northwest
quarter of section number seven in
township number sixteen, north of range
number five west. OF the fourth prinCi-
and and state of Illinois, defendants
Bill to quiet title.
To the above named defendants and
to everyone of them:
AffidaVit of your nOn-residenCe and Of
the non-residence of everyone of you.
having been filed in the above entitled
cause in the Office of the undersigned
clerk pf the circuit court of the county
of Rock Island in the state of Illinois,
you are hereby notified that said com
plaiuants have filed in said court their
bill of complaint against you on the
ChanCery side of said court that sum
mons in chancery has been issued in
said cause against you returnable TO the
September term, A d. 1911 Of said court
to be begun and holden in the court
house in the city of Rock Island in said
county and state on the third Monday
of September, a. d. 1911. at which time
and place you viii appear aid plead. an
Swer or demur 10 the bill of complaint
as you may see tit.
Dated at Rock Island. Illinois, this
eth day OF July. \. d. 1911.
GEORGE w. GAMBLE, Clerk.
walker Ingram * Sweeney, complain
ants solicitors.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-08-01

FOR RENT-A store. with living rooms
in rear. Can old phone west 1I64-K
Inquire 1922 Twelfth avenue
FOR RENT-A suite Of two office rooms
with steam heat, over Maths confec-
rtCleTy, cheap rent Apply To MI
r-tlI or Air. Math, city.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-08-01
GiIbort,s Wittx Comment.

Sir ". :. Giibert's wit and humOr
were always ready. He was a fine
raconteur and 4 good after dinner
speaker Rutland Darlington. the Old
Sayoyard, said that staying IN Gil
hcrts house was ike living in a lit
erary fireworks factory"
Darlington played the Captain in
'Pinatore." At rehearsal one day Gil
bert. who was an autOcratic aud mag
niicenC stage manager. told him to
Cross the stage. which represented the
deck of II. NJ. :. PinafOre, and SIT on
q skylight in q pensive attitude"
Darlington obeyed orders, but unfortu-
1ately the sEyiight had only been
rugged up temporarily. and the portly
harrington crashed through ii.
That's an expensive attitude said
Gilbert in a flash.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-08-01
LEGAL.
-
Notice of Publication.


State OF Illinois, Rock Island Coun-
ty-ss.
In the Circuit Court. September term,
1911. In Chancery; No. 65sS.
William \. Meyer, ct al. VS.. Mary b.
Frazer, ct al.
Affidavit OF the non-residence OF y. r.
Sawyer. implicated with the above de-
PENDANTS. Mary b. Frazer and Edwin G.
Frazer, having been filed in the clerks
office OF the circuit court OF said coun-
ty. notice is therefore hereby given to
the said nonresident defendant that the
Complalnauts filed their bill OF complaint
in SAID court, on the Chdncery side there
of. on the 3lst day of July 1911. and
that thercupun summons issued out OF
said court, wherein said suit is now
pending, returnable on the third Mon
day in the month of September next, as
is by law required.
Now, unless you. the said non-resi-
dent defendant above named. n. Il. Saw
Yer. shall personally be and appear be-
fore said circuit court. on the first day
of the next term thereof. TO be holden
at Rock Island, in and for said county.
on the third Monday (the 18th JaY) in
September next, and plead. answer or
demur TO the said compliments bill of
complaint, the same and the matters
and things therein charged and stated
viii be taken as confessed. and de-
cree entered against you according TO
the prayer OF said bill.
GEORGE W. GAMBLE. Clerk
Rock Island, Ill, July 81, 1911.
l. b. Olmsted, complainant solicitor.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-08-01
Administrators Notice.

Estate of Timothy Beecher, deceased.
The undersigned having been APP
pointed administrator OF the estate OF
Timothy BeecheT, late of the county of
Rock Island, state Of Illinois, deceased,
hereby gives notice that he win appear
before the probate court OF Rock Island
county, at the probate court room, in
the city of Rock Island, at the Seprem-
Der term, on the hrst Monday in Sep
TENDER next, at which time all persons
having claims against said estate are
notified and requested to attend for the
purpose of having the same adjusted.
All persons indebted to said estate are
requested to make immediate payment
to the undersigned.
Dated 18th day Of July. A. d. 1911.
j. d. BEECHER, Administration.
James w. AIauCker. attorney.