Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1922-03-10
THREE DROP INTO
ICE COLD WATER
Putnam Mfg. Co. Men Precipi
tated Into River When
Gates Collapse
ouinebsug. swollen By Storm. inun-
dates Low Lands Bordering Stream


Emile LaBonte, 5r., Alphonse La
cross and Iudger Lavalle were thrown
into the frigid waters of the Quine-
haug river Wednesday morning when
the gates and huikhead at the plant Of
the Putnam Manufacturing Company.
Providence street, gave way under the
tremendous pressure from the swollen
river. The three men. employees of
the mill. were in the act of partially
closing the gates. to shut off the flow
of water to the turbines. when the
gates collapsed, precipitating them
into the swirling water for an early
morning, unexpected plunge.
With heavy timbers about them IN
the turbulent waters. the trio man
aged TO quickly get to place of safe
ty and finally to the land adjoining
the bulkhead. After changing to dry
clothing, they did not seem to have
suffered by their experience. 1t is re-
garded as very fortunate that they es-
capped with their lives. perhaps, and
at least uninjured, from what hap
pened SO quickly to them.
Mill Ran But Two Minutes
IL was TOP o'clock Wednesday
when the gates collapsed un-
der the pressure Of the river. which
had risen about four feet during the
night owing TO the torrents Of rain
that fell and by the melting of the
thick coating 81 snow and ice that
covered hill aud dale. The mill had
been running but two minutes when
the power had to be turned off. and
after an investigation. employees were
dismissed.
1t was determined after the acct
dent that the flashboards did not give
way when the rising river began to
increase the pressure on them. III
these had been carried away, perhaps
the bulkhead gates would have held.
But as they didn't, something just had
to smash, and the gates seemed to be
the weakest spot though they were
only few years old and considered
solidly built. But then, it has been
years since the river had risen 10 such
an extent. so it is not surprising that
the gates burst from their fasteninga.
The machine shop at the mill was
flooded by about four inches Of water
as result Of the accident. The shop
Is over the old raceway and there il
always water in il. When the gates
burst, the water backed up" in the
canal and finally flooded the machine
shop.
Freshet Conditions Prevail
During the night the Quinchaug rose
to freshet conditions, and low lands
were inundated for miles along the
course of the stream. There were in
instances of property
along the way being damaged by be-
ing flooded. numbers Of people report
ing that their cellars We're more or
less flooded. In the Manhasset Vii
lage section several houses were sur
rounded By water, making IL necessary
10 get people from their homes by the
use Of auto trucks. And there were
two instances Of hen coops being
flooded, forcing biddies TO roost good
and high.
The old fair grounds, south of the
rity. were partly under water. partial
" Narrowing a family occupying a
little house that has been built on the
back stretch of the track.
Part Of Golf Course Flooded
The westward section Of the Put
nam Country Club golf course was
flooded, the Quinebaug OVERLOOKING
lis banks, creating quite a lake" at
the spot indicated.
Falls in this section presented beau
tiful sights with the uncontrolled wa
ters sweeping over them. And Car
gill falls certainly were a picturesque
sight, many people being attracted To
Pomfret street to view the unusual
light
At North Grosvenordale bridge
near the Copeland farm was swept
away by the swollen river, making
people drive for miles to find another
'rossing point.
Water Enters Mill Boiler Room
Water got into the boiler room at
he John NJ. Dean Corporation plant
and prevented the building Of fire.
So the mill was closed down all day
Wednesday, operations being resumed
Thursday morning.
Both the lines Of the telephone COM
pany and the electric light company
9ere affected by the gale-likc wind
hat prevailed during the storm. As
a result of wires being blown down
people were without electric lights
and telephone service. Tclegraphie
out Of Putnam was al
% affected by wires being broken
Gangs Of workmen Of all three com
panies, however, were on the job
bright and early Wednesday morning
and have since been working TO repair