The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1924-04-03

the Maryland end OF the structure
moved down stream from four to six
inches.
The most serious damage, is that
sustained by the West Maryland rail-
way at various points along its line
from Cumberland west to Blaine. op-
posite Kitmiller. At Blaine the road
was built upon sharp curve to con-
form to the bend in the river. For
several hundred yards at this point
the roadbed was washed out and the
rails and ties in their stretch of per-
haps thousand feet were carried
bodily by the water across the river
and deposited on the Maryland side.
The experiences of some of the peo-
pie of Kitzmiller were thrilling.
Mrs. William Pool, sister of Mr.. M.
R. Hamill of Oakland, had very mar
row escape, as did also her three
grandchildren. The family had been
aroused and were out of the home
about fifteen minutes when it over
turned and was carried away in the
food.
1t has been estimated by railroad
men that at least sixty days will be
required before the road is again in
a condition to operate. In the mean
time the people of the entire Potomac
Valley will be compelled to depend
upon the country roads over which to
transport foodstuffs and material for
every purpose.
Monday it was estimated that in
Kitzmiller there was a weeks supply
of food, this being exclusive of bread.
The same evening a truck started
overland to Keyser, West Va, to haul
this and other necessities. The truck
reached its destination, being in the
charge of Mr.. R. A. Smith and his
son, but whether it was able to make
the return trip is questioned as the
snow of Tuesday morning reached q
dept of more than foot and prob
ably blocked the roads.
A greatmany of the people Of Kitz-
miller have been rendered destitute
by the calamity which befel them and
calls for aid have been sent out. In
answer to these the County Commits
sioners of this county have embraced
the opportunity and has rendered sue
cor to the community, seconded by the
local chapter of the Red Cross, the
women's organizations of the vari-
Gus churches Of Oakland, who met at
the Lutheran church yesterday and
forwarded large supply of clothing,
and also by the Oakland Chamber of
Commerce. The Frostburg people
have also needed the call and a tele
phone message to The Republican
from Mr.. I. c. Darlington, secretary
of the Frostburg Chamber Of Com
merce, Tuesday afternoon conveyed
the information that a sum Of money
of considerable amount had been col
lected and would be sent here for the
purpose of buying food and to be
transported to the stricken town.
In the northern section of Garrett
county, notably in the vicinity of
Friendsville, large number of peo-
pie sustained more or less damage.
Friendsville is in the Youghiogheny
valley and the waters of this stream
were as high as ever before known.
River bottom farms were inundated,
while in the town of Friendsville it
self many families residing on the
west side of the river were compelled
to vacate their homes to escape the
encroachment of the water,
One farm, owned by Mr.. W. w.
Savage, who is also a merchant in
Friendsville, was practically ruined
by the water flowing over it and car
rying away the soil to a depth of sew
eral inches.
The business section of Friendsvil!e
suffered comparatively little, from re-
ports, which are meagre, coming into
Oakland as communication by tele-
graph and telephone are both cut off.
| The c. & o. Railroad, running from
Confluence, Pa, into Friendsville, IS
badly washed out. Several bridges
have been swept away and at Som
eriield, Pa, where the railroad crosses
the National Highway, the road was
submerged several feet Saturday af-
/ ternoon and the roadbed washed out
in number of places in that vicinity.
1t will be several days before COM
munication over this road can be again
established, according to reports from
railroad officials.
Yesterday morning the first relief
from the outside for the Kitzmiller
/ people reached that town when an
j Oakland Garage truck, containing a
! lot of clothing and foodstuffs in
charge of Mr.. Ben A. Harlan,
/ director of the disaster relief of the
/ Washington area of the American Red
Cross, arrived at the stricken town.
/, Mr.. Harlan, upon his return to
Oakland last night stated that he
found conditions at KitZmiller not as
acute as at first reported, but that the
/ ,zo1..Jo IL 4A,,,,