Harrisburg Telegraph from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania • Page 1

a VOIi. IiVIH. NO. 133. USIVEDITION.

THFWATERE Paxton Creek Overflows. A Part of the City Flooded. People Rescued from the Flooded District. A VAST LAKE FROM MACLAY TO LOCHIEL, ALL TRAVEL WEST CUT OFF. The Flood in West and South Harrisburg.

THE GREATEST FLOOD EVER SEEN HERE. THE SUSQUEHANNA RISING. GRADUALLY 'The greatest flood in the history of Harrisburg" everybody said, including the oldest inhabitant and bo, of course, it goes into historv as such. From 4 o'clock on Thurs day afternoon until 3 o'clock this morning it rained unceasinelv. Thirty five hours of solid rain, a continual down pour of water, driD.

drip, drip, all the time. A roaring, rushing volume of water that threatened to inundate everything and did cover a good bit of Harrisburg's territory. It filled Pax ton creek so full that its banks were over flowed early in the evening, and the people east of the canal got out in a hurry when they found the water sneaking quietly into their front doors or fillinz their cellars or claimine intimate relationship with their sec ond story bed rooms. They had to move lively, too, for it was scarcely dark ere the waters had enlarged their boundaries, and from Maclav street to the lower city limit there was a vast lake, bounded on the east by the foot hills along Eleventh and Twelfth streets and on the west by the canal bank. J.

he water, however, was not so placid as that of a lake. There was a swift current, and at Herr, State and Market street bridges a roar ing, rushing, turbulent volume of wetness went booming down with great rorce. At 12 o'clock last night the waters had reached their highest point along Faxton creek, being two feet two inches above the flood in that stream in 1865. At this point it stood until about 4 o'clock this morning, when it slowly began to recede, but not to such an extent as to lessen the volume very much. At 10 o'clock it had fallen a foot, and it was conceded that if the Susquehanna river did not rise rapidly and force back the Faxton creek waters the danger along the smaller stream was over.

The river, however, is steadily rising, and it is impossible to tell what height it will be forced to when the waters from the North and West Branches and the Juniata come down. North of Market Street. From Market street north to the Maclay street limit there is a lake of dirty, muddy water, and boats ply on it and ferries run. This lake did not exist yesterday, but all the same it is there now, and to the serious inconvenience of sundry property holders, who were forced to leave their homes and places of business to the mercies of the cold, cold And exceedingly muddy water. They didn't like it a bit.

Let's Take a Walk. Take a walk with the Telegraph scribe along the flooded district north of Market street. The first place we get evidence of the high water is at MarkeJjBtteet bridge, possessn yards and the water crept up to the windows of the buildings on the low lands. Market street ifl the dividing line of the flood in fact it is the only street that can be walked over dryshod from end to end. It is a strip of land through the lake.

On either hand the waters stretch away as far as one can see, while the roaring mass from above pours "through the culvert and cuts its way beneath tha ground on either side of the bridge. The water in Cameron street has entered the front doors of the houses, and men go off in boats to see that everything is safe in the upper stories. Along Tenth and Cameron to State every house is full of water not too full, but full enough to drive the people to the upper stories. Many of them absolutely refused to leave their homes, and remain there contented. Callers will find them at home.

The vacant lots were like small lakes and were filled with wreckage, consisting of out houses, chicken coops, carriage tops, boxes and barrels, 'which floated about on an equality a soaked fraternity. Boy Overboard. As the Telegeaph man waded through 1 the mud at Cameron aud Market a great cry went up from a thousand or more people that "a boy is gettin' drownded." Sure enough, it was so. A lad named Eddie Hartman, who was navigating a rude craft, in the shape of two boards lashed together, got into the water and was rescued by his father, who carried him into the house. This was only one of a series of similar incidents la which the small boy figured and got wet And the gondoliers heroically rescued him Some Damage.

The coffin factory was deluged, and dried lumber, machinery, excelsior, damaged to the extent of about if 800. Smith's to bacco warehouse had a thousand cases of tobacco on the nrsc noor, all ot which was damaged, and may be a total loss A Sewer Bursts. On Market street, above Cameron, a sewer burst early last evening, and in an instant the terrific pressure of water had washed out the earth under the street car track, making a hole big enough to drown an elephant n. The water undermined the street further down, and another big hole Was made into which a Queen Anne cottage with a bay window and a painted verandah might have been planted and lost to view. The water in the vicinity was at once shut off.

That is the city water was snut on, not ine water that was fallinz from the heavens. The man who could have shut that off would have made big money. wuiao me street cars couiun run any uiure, uecause tneir tracks hung like tele graph wires across th rhnam Timnunji. of people took a peep into the big holes today, and wondered what would become of inem it they fell in. Nobody fell in, except yiuppeu Hp me pipe.

The sewer showed evidence of defective workmanship. Itoadu Damaged. xuKct lu ouite street Irnm UU east side of the flood you must go np Market iuii, men out Thirteenth to State, ana wnen you get there you will the werst damaged roads vou ever Great gullies and ruts were cut by the water and driving was dangerous on Thirteenth street. xou can get into the cemetery from the front roads, because there aren't any front roads. The one leading from State street to Superintendent Barnes house has been washed out, and what was before a nice road is now a great chasm into which the rain dumped huee trees and the wayside fence.

Ihe only way to get to the cemetery is by the way of Market and Jniteentn streets ana into me Herr street entrance. Funerals will have to take that route for some days to come. The load to the cemetery from Cameron and State that winds around the hill is a sheet of water five feet deep muddy water, In the Cemetery did much damage. Graves that rain is in is to are lot a all a I Till i HI li ii" hollows deep, and many tombstones fell and wer broken. Mr.

Barnes is trying to right mat ters, but has a big task on his hands. From State Street. At Cameron and State the water rushes through the culvert under the bridge, but it in sueh volume that the culvert can't accommodate it, and as a consequence the water flows across the street with a swift current. This improvised stream is about a hundred feet wide, and it washes around the side of the bridge in a way to threaten tne bridee destruction. Men ana noys piayea the water unconscious of the great danger, and floats, rafts and boats ran to the flooded houses.

Looking up Cameron from btate it a vast sheet of water from Cemetery hill the canal, and all of the houses partly submerged. On a vacant on Cameron street a sign post rears its head out of the water. The sign reads: "These lots for sale." Hollow mockery. Damp delusion. Away np the street boats were rowed, and a man with a batteau took woman out of a house where she had been night.

Near the bridge the water has flooded a coHple of houses that stand back from the street. It was in trying to rescue a weman from one these houses that mayor Frltchey Almost Lost His Life last night. He and Officer Murphy had procured a skiff and were pushing it towards the house where the afftighted woman was wringing her hands, when the force of the current turned the boat's head down, and the rush almost carried them into the roaring waters under the bridge. Both jumped and were almost sucked under when Murphy caught a board that stuck up in the debris and clutching it tightly reached out and grabbed the mayor, who in turn grabbed him. It was a case of mutual arrest of motion.

The excited firemen on the bridge Hartman's tannery was blazing nearby threw them a rope and dragged them away from their awful peril. It was a most perilous situation and one never to be forgotten by those who saw it. The tannery was destroyed and a toy factory, run by Kauffman next door, was damaged slightly. Looking down from State street bridge one can see the Gilbert powder house, the Smith tobacco warehouse, fhe Star carpet cleaning place and scores of houses with their feet in the water, catching cold. Along the Tow Piitb.

The Telegeaph tramp had himself ferried over the water in a wagon at Tenth and State, and then struck out along the tow path for the upper district. At State street weigh lock a large number of boats are tied up, because of the break at Dock street. From State to Herr streets the long strip of land owned by the Harrisburg car company, and on which their saw mill and several important departments are located is completely under water, the flood looking in at the windows of the big buildings. Of course all work has ceased'and the buildings look like islands in yellow sea. Down near the building where the oil tank cars are put together a row of bright, freshly painted cars stand in the water with their wheels rusting.

Great stacks of lumber are half hidden by the waters, and it will be a long time before what was "seasoned stuff" will be again seasoned. From Herr Street. From a point off Herr street bridge one can see that that portion of the city popularly known as "Sibletown" or the "Brooklyn Annex" has more water than it knows what to do with. In fact it is all water, and the houses resemble the lake dwellers of Switzerland. There are some peo pie in the houses, too, who refused to leave when the waters rushed on them, and there are some, also, who were compelled to stay to take care of their sick; for, sad as it may seem, there are some sick people over there in the flooded district to whom it would be death to move, and their kindred are staying with them.

One of them, a colored woman, who is seriously ill, was taken out in a boat this morning and removed to the house of a friend. All over this district men rowed boats and puBhed rafts, up one street and down another, peeping into windows to di3 tQyrjBdenceso life and conversjngjwittr thosewEo remametK At Hbtr" Street there were great crowds of people who tried to catch drift wood, but didn't sncceed. It was a poor catch. Some of those who were Chased Out of Their by the rushing waters, brink and Badly gazed panse at their homes. Comfortable Homes stood at the water's across the damp ex One man, a colored man, with a volubility of speech, entertained a crowd in telling them of the scene when the water came npon them.

"We wuz all sleepin'," said he, "an' the fust thing we know we liked to got dronnded," and then he told of the rescue of women and children in boats, and the hurry and scamper and run of the affrighted people for the high ground and safety. One woman, with a sharp nose and a sanctimo nious voice, said: "This is a warning to peo ple the way they carry on. Nobody knew co whom she referred, but she evidently had never became acquainted with the milk of human kindness, or she wouldn't have made such an uncharitable remark. How High it Was. At Herr and the canal a boy fell off the retaining wall just in time to let the Telegraph man see him aud get all the facts.

tie was rescned with alacrity and a long pole. The cement pipe works got a wetting and there is water up to its ankles. At Wilcox pottery, near by, everything had been made ready to "fire" the work made, but the water got into the furnace room and it was only by very quick handling that the wares were removed to a place of safety. In the store room the waters raised up the pyramids of crocks and things and toppled them over, breaking many of them. Mr.

Wilcox kept a record of the high water in 1865, and says the water this flood was 2 feet 2 inches above that of 1865. This is what you might call progressive. The Shamrock hose house, on Herr street, has its share of water, and that is the reason the company couldn respond to the fire this morning. It was a sad disappointment to the boys. Speaking of the fire, it might be well to say here that the Mt.

Pleasant engine company's fire dog was drowned below State street bridge, the current preventing him from reaching shore. From Herr to Maclay it is a Wide Sea of Water dotted here and there by houses, the second stories only of which are breathing fresh air. At Keily and Canal the Zimmer man brick yard is completely submerged and the tall kilns stand like monu ments over the grave of waters. A large crowd gathered here, and there were men in boats who rut oft to see what could be done to relieve the people on the farther shore who wanted to cross and couldn't swim, and didn't have boats of their own. Swarms of SnuUes.

Albeit the Telegraph pilgrim is a man of sober mien he saw a most singular sight on the tow path above Keily street. The water flooded the fiats and drove the snakes to high ground on the tow path, where the boys could get a fair whack at them, and twenty dead snakes were counted in a dis tance of fifty feet. Distressed Cattle. From the tow path cattle could be heard in the flooded district crying distressfully. When the waters came their owners moved off so quickly that they had no time to think of their cattle and forgot to release them.

A man in a boat said he was going to hunt the cows up and feed them. Standing on Ma clay stceet bridge and looking north it could De seen mat tne entire country was under water. The Barns brickyard lies beneath five feet of ecru colored aqua, and etzei woous is more or a lake than a woods. Near the old Stock Yard Hotel the road has been washed into the canal, making the channel very nar row. At tne west approach to the Maclay bot jlxeet bridm tbn hpayj HARRISBURG, SATURDAY EVENING, JUNE 1, 1889.

SIX away a portion of the road and the sewer pipe is exposed along the channel. At this point the telegraph man ended his pilgrimage. SOUTH HARRISBURK. One Wide Sea of Water From Conoy Street South Boating in the Streets Mills All Closed Passenger Trains Dash ing Through the Water. Down in South Harrisburg the Paxton creek, Pennsylvania canal and the Susquehanna river have joined forces, and most of the people are either living in the second floor or have abandoned their homes alto gother on account of the deluge.

Such scenes as have been enacted in the lower section of the city dnring the past twenty four hours have surprised and dumbfounded that ubiquitous individual the oldest inhabitant He never saw the like before and his ancestors don't seem to have handed down anything approaching the present flood in the way of legend. There is water everywhere below Vine street and when the river reaches that point it must inevitably reach at the present rate it is rising the whole southern section of the city will be submerged. Sheesleytown, that portion of South Harrisburg east of the canal, is covered with water to the depth of four feet and more. About one o'clock this morning the employes of the Central iron works Jwent through Sheesley town and aroused the people who were sleeping. Many were already awake and women stood at the upper windows crying for help.

They were taken out in boats and those who remain are living on the second and third floors. Parlors are under water and much damage must result. All the mills are closed and the men are anxiously looking after the safety of their families. There are grave apprehensions that the river will rise much higher when the tremendous volume of water comes down from the north, and then the condition in this section will be immeasurably worse At noon the flood was the overflow of Paxton creek, but when the river breaks over its natural confines the situation will be alarming. At 12 o'clock to day the river was 17 feet above low water mark.

Boating in Race Street. The Telegraph man jumped into a row boat at the intersection of Bace and Hanna streets and rode up Race street to Conoy. The water covers the tracks of the City Passenger railway to the depth of two feet and all kinds of canoes and rafts were afloat. Neighbors visited each other in boats and that particular locality resembled Venice, though not so picturesque as the famous city abroad. As the reporter's boat passed up the street he was greeted on all sides with good natured remarks, and the people seemed to be accepting the situation as philosophically as possible.

Women sat at the windows and waved their handkerchiefs, while men stood in their parlors in a foot of water and invited the newspaper man to call. Stores were in tha soup, also, and barrels and boies and packages floated about in a confused mass. Front steps of wood were tied with ropes and floated about in the street. Beer saloons have more water in them along Eace street than has ever been seen there before. View from Dock Street Bridge.

From the overhead bridge which spans the Pennsylvania railroad and canal, at Dock street, the view was simply awful. Water everywhere and houses rising out of it on every hand. People being taken from their flooded homes in boats, women anxiously inquiring about their children, shop keepers trying to preserve their soaked goous ana men fastening their fences with ropes to prevent them being swept away. Such desolation was never witnessed in this city be fore. One of the most remarkable sights the trains on the Pennsylvania railroad ploughing through the water on the submerged tracks.

This water was within six inches of the Are boxes ot the locomo tives, and it was only by constant firing that the trains were enabled to get through. When they first struck the water the spray flew higher than the smoke stack ani sen ted a beautif nl spectacle. AMFZtie mail train at 1 1 o'clock apBfieaeKecT the bridge the passengerstoanofTrom the windows and Their hats and handkerchiefs. The fireman shoveled in coal lively and the train pulled through all right. On the rear platform were a lot of men, and a boy on the lower step was within a few inches of the water.

The water covered the tracks to a point opposite the Wister furnace. Freight trains labored very heavily in the water and barely pulled through. On the bridge the crowd conld see down through Sheesleytown, and to the river beyond, as well as up Race street and toward the Pennsylvania railroad station. It was probably the most advan tageous spot for a view of the flood to be had in the city. Some Scenes and Incidents.

Letter carriers delivered their mail on Race street and in other sections of South Harrisburg this morning in boats. They collected the mail in the same way. Sheriff Sheesley lives in the submerged district and is one of the most solicitous for the welfare of Ms neighbors. People from all parts of the city went down Front street this morning and thence reached Dock street overhead bridge where they could see pretty much everything and get a good idea ot the extent ot the Hood. The stone arch bridge spanning the creek that runs through Senator Cameron's farm was washed away.

Two or three bridges on Cameron street have been carried away, and the East Harrisburg electric motor line is not in operation. The operator in the tower of the P. R. R. below the Dock street bridge was compelled to keep very wide awake.

He was running a railroad and a navagation line in one today. It is thought that the choking ot the ac queduct near McGormick's furnaces was the principal cause ot the creek spreading itself over the entire vicinity. Two boys drove down Ninth street in a covered wagon this morning. When at a point opposite the Paxton furnace their wagon was floating, the horse nose was scarcely out of the water and he was swim ming for his life. The youngsters appeared oblivious to their danger and were rescued with difficulty.

The Trinity Lutheran Mission church is surrounded by water and the family of Mr. Joseph Young, who is superintendent of the bunday school, had to be reached with boats this morning. Amateur photographers were out in force, and numerous views were taken. Several interesting negatives were secured from the Dock street bridge, the highest point ot safety in that locality. It was found necessary to quit work at the Central iron works, Chesapeake nail works, Lochiel and Paxton iron mills, and" the Hof fer flouring mill last night.

The water will do great damage in these industrial estab lish meats if it gets much higher. All along Tenth and Cameion and Race and Ninth streets the people have suffered great loss in damage to personal effects and property. Great quantities of lumber for the Harrisburg car company's saw mill at Herr street swept down Paxton creek and out into the river. This will entail a heavy loss. H.

A. Brinton's grocery store, at Race and Hanna streets, is almost ready to float away. His goods are in bad shape. The water is two feet deep in the waiting room of the City Passenger railway on Race street, near Hanna, and passengers sit on the roof, if they sit anywhere. Cellars are inundated all through the southern district, and many poor families will suffer on this score.

Through it all the people behaved remarkably well and women being taken from their homes in small boats exhibited much coolness. noon the water in Paxton creek was said to be slowly receding. There was a regular sea at the intersection of Tuscarora and Race streets this morning. Several ladies were rowing about in boats aud vanrjarently quite brave. awley, secretary of the M.

C. lives in the new McCauiey on Race street. He satin his parlor this morning as the Telegraph man floated by, wondering whether he ought not to move to the attic. Many people in South Harrisburg did not sleep a wink last night. Good housewives who had just finished house cleaning are thinking of another or deal of the same sort when the flood sides.

sub The Water at Newport. A dispatch received here at two o'clock tbis afternoon states that the Pennsylvania station at Newport, Perry county, has two feet of water on the first floor. is evidently under water. DRIFT CAUGHT HERE AND THERE. Culverts Swept Out and Bridges Carriea Away.

The Snsquehanna Canoe club's house wa3 floating on its side at the end of a stout cable just below the Market street river bridge. A culvert on the river road, leading to West Fairview, opposite the Haldeman farm, washed out and entrance to the town will be difficult. On the Northern Central railroad, near Marysville, a culvert caved in, and this will canse much delay. The river road, at the Schuddemage planing mill, is two feet under water, and the water is fast encroaching upon the main road farther up. Hargest's island is covered with water, except the ro idway.

Mr. Hargest's family was taken off this morning. His live stock, except the hogs, were removed in safety. Mr. Hargest will lose all his crops, the island being a valuable truck farm.

The bridge across the pike, near Paxtang Station, was carried away last night. Up at Maple Park, where Mr. David Watts resides, the water backed up to Third street and Mr. Watts was compelled to drive down Ridge avenue. Yellow Breeches creek in Cumberland county is booming.

It has never been so high in its history. At Bridgeport the culvert is closed and the water has backed over the switch. This morning a raft on which was a man, a horse and a couple of hogs floated down the river. A steamer put out and rescued the party. The wooden boat house on Hargest's island and several small boat houses along the river shore have been swept away.

A great many Harrisburgers who have relatives and friends in Johnstown haunted the telegraph and newspaper offices in search of news of the frightful disaeter. It looks now as if the worst has not been told. Highway Commissioner Seiler was out very early this morning. He will immediately prepare to repair the damage on Market, State and Herr streets, putting on a big force ot men. The brick yard owners are the heaviest sufferers.

Their loss cannot be placed now. Nobody pretends to give an estimate of the damage done. It will approximate a million dollars. The Yellow Breeches creek in Cumberland county is higher now than it has ever been. Colonel George W.

Hunter, of the Lochiel Hotel, and Fred W. EbeL of the National Hotel, took care of a large number of people from the flooded district and fed them. A dispatch from Iroquois Station, Poor Man's Spring, says both of the Iroquois fishing club boat houses on the uniata have been swept away, and it is feared the club house will go. The water is 20 feet above low water mark. The dam, ice house and bridge at Cold Springs were washed away.

It took ten hours to clean the debris Off the track between Rockville and Dauphin. A farmer from Cumberland county says he doesn't believe there is a squirrel or bird in that county. A culvert on the Cumberland Valley rail CI. SwAm. a A a nr.aliail Three boats were Vineatrettlrelow If arris Park.

The Steelton steamer plied up and down the Harrisburg shore this morning. Two painted fish houses were observed floating down the river this afternoon. Those who saw them think they may be those of the Iroquois and Juniata elubs, of Harrisburg. There will not likely be services at the Nagle Street Church of God to morrow unless the members go in their bathing costumes. The second edition of the Telegraph was sent to South Harrisburg subscribers this afternoon and distributed by the carriers in boats.

People were still being taken out of the inundated districts this afternoon. Mayor Fritchey led the relief expedition in Sibletown last night and proved himself a hero. At 4 o'clock this afternoon the Susquehanna river was 18 feet above low water mark. It is expected that the logs from Wil liamsport will pass down this evening. The Cumberland Valley railroad bridge at Falling Waters was swept away this morning.

Correspondents of the New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore papers arrived here this morning on their way to Johnstown. They could not get through and were compelled to remain over. The New York WnM men jumped a Cumberland Valley train to connect with the Baltimore and Ohio at Martinsburg, but only got as far as Hagerstown. AT THE RAILROAD. Telegrnph Lines Down and Tralus Annulled.

Train Master Dunbar informed a Tele ORAPH reporter this afternoon that all trains on the Northern Central have been annulled that the telegraph lines are all down from Clark's Ferry up, and that he did not know when they would be ordered out. The Granville bridge, about eight miles above Lewistown, on the main line has been swept away. The Lewistown bridge over the Juniata on the Sunbury and Lewistown railroad at Lewistown has also been swept awav The Thompsontown county bridge is also gone. Ail mans ior tne west are sent by way of Passengers for the west have been returned to their starting points free of charge. No trains will go west or north until further notice.

j. uu uuu mviu i.uluu"u Lrain mm the east the passengers of which will be re tnrnea. Beginning to morrow there will be local trains run on an time trains Gentlemen desiring to go West telegraphed iu uniumuic, lu uscciuuu wneiner li. (J trains are running, received the following reply: Baltimore, June 1. Baltimore Ohio main office says: No trains through for 'Ihe Cumberland Valley railroad bridne .1.

1 it uvei iud uiuwav; nver, ueiOW tlapersfnivn has been swept away and all trains stoD at I 'PL ungcioiuiYu. Ancic wtts wasnout of fortv feet on the Cumberland Valley railroad at Williams' Grove. Bnsiness on the Gettysburg and Harrisburg railroad waj suspended to day. FINANCIAL AND New Vork New York, June 1. The following are the closing quotations lor to day: Clos.

Am. C. S. Oil N. Y.

cen. h. k. North West N. Pacific prel Omaha Common Atchison C.

B. 102 1 Can. 55X Del. Hudson 4B 111 67 36i Ore. Pacific Mail Del.

Lack. 143 Erie 28 rnna. Phlla.Co.(Nat.Gas) Rich. st. Paul Texas Union Pacific Western Jersey 100X Kansas Lake Shore 105 73 C7' Liouis.

s. 70 Missouri PaclUc 74 New Kngland OH Quotations for To day. June l. Opening, 82: THE GREAT FLOOD! CITIES AND TOWNS FLOODED HUNDREDS DEAD IN JOHNSTOWN! Houses, Bridges, Culverts and Barns Swept Away by the Re resistless Tide. TtfGrREATEST FJOOO OF THE CENTURY DEVASTATES A PORTION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

The the Damage! Incalculable and Loss of Life Very Great. THE TELEGRAPH LINES OUT OF SERVICE AND THE NEWS MEAGRE. The great storm of modern times raged yesterday. Hundreds of lives have been lost and millions ot dollars worth of property destroyed. The storm started in Colorado three days ago and extended rem the Great Lakes to the Gulf.

Yesterday it, raged furiously throughout that portion of Pennsylvania west of this city. Rain fell in torrents throughout the day, and last night there was scarcely a telegraph wire working between ibis city and Pittsburg and communication with any point west was almost impossible. Oat of more than a hundred wires to this city, one or two only were kept moving at intervals. The damage so far as reported is enor mous, both in loss of human life and property. The great destruction was at Johnstown, where the loss of life runs into the hundreds and the loss of property in simply inestimable.

The signal man at Sang Hollow reports having seen more than two hundred bodies float down the Conemaugh river. This indicates that the total loss of life in the ill fated city must have been terrible. It is reported that a large reservoir above the city burst and the water swept down the mountain and submerged the city, destroying life and property almost instantly. There is a bad washout at Lilly's Station, the first station on the Pennsylvania railroad, south of Cresson, which will delay all trains until to morrow. At Carlisle considerable damage was done by rain and lightning.

The Potomac valley was flooded, but without great damage. The tjrest branch of the Susquehanna has risen to a point not eqalled since the phenomenal flood of 1865, and it promises to rise stillhigher. Forty five million feet of logs arelin the river, hung up in booms at Williamsport, Lock Haven and other points, which threaten to break and let the logs drift down the river, where they will be useless. Much damage is reported in the Clearfield region. From many parts of the State come reports of washouts on railroads, loss of bridges, flooding of collieries, delay of trains and destruction of property of all kinds.

Outside of Johnstown the loss of life is not great so far as reported, but news is yet too meagre to estimate the full extent of the damage. 'CTksy mindreds dead. Johnstown Swept Away by a Flood fMk. ble Destruction of Life and Property. Pittsburg, May 31.

Johnstown, the thriving city at the foot of the Alleghenies, where the great Cambria iron works are lo cated, is a mass of ruins. Houses without number have been demolished. Dead bodies by the score have been swept down the surging current of the Conemaugh river, and it is feared that the loss of life will reach far into. the hundreds. The greatest flood ever known has nearly obliterated the place and almost a twinkling has swept to death many 6flts citizens.

The Jnrst news ot the terrible disaster came from Stag Hollow, about five miles this side of Johnstown. Telegraph poles had been uprooted, and the wires in every direction, tangled and broken, and the first intimation of the flood came when houses and trees were swept past the station, and dead bodies were hurried along in a current which rapidly rose above the banks of the little stream and grew into a miguty ana awiui river. Story of the Disaster. The win which began to fall at Johns town last night increased in volume as the moruingi'jjrogressed, and by noon it swept down tJw; hillsides in streams, swelling the Conenialtgh river and the Pennsylvania canal, which ajgp runs tnrougn tne The witter rose rapidly in the Conemaugh, which um5 treacherous stream and very sensi tive to heavy rains. It overflowed the bank, mounted higher and higher and hooded the lower portions of dwellings, while the streets almost impassable, were no longer defined by the boundless waste of water.

It no longer seemed to rain. The water poured down in sheets. While the terrified citizens of Johnstown were witnessing the unprecedented downpour with gloomy forebodings about 5 o'clock, a terrible roar and crashing came from above them, wbich completely drowned the sound of the tempest and carried consternation. "The dams have given way "The reservoir has burst The cries went up from the frightened people. All seemed to know that the reservoir which supplied the town with water had given way, and that death was upon them.

Swept Awn; by the Flood. Many started for their homes. Others turned to run to higher ground, but it was useless. A devastating river of water swept down upon them in such terrific violence and with such irresistible force that in the twinkling of an eye almost it swept everything be fore it. The terrible fear which had flashed upon the minds of those who saw the approaching delage had now become a certainty.

The two great dams the Stony Creek and Conemaugh had burst their bar ripra aud pent np millions of gallons of water were hurrying down upon the place, Houses were swept away as the hood came nn them like chips before a wave. The water rose in the streets far above the honse toDS. It surged through the windows and doors dwellings, lifted them from their fnnndations and swept their living inmates nlontr before its resistless power. scene of horror defies accurate de seriotion. Almost everything was swept hpfore the oeiuge.

ivieu, women ana cnii i IT 1 1.1 dren, caught up in the grasp of the raging torrent, clutcnea at everyming mat promised support from a watery death. Many were unable to find any assistance and were drowned outright. Others were killed by the crushing of timbers. Some secured pieces of planking or sought refuge on floating trees or endeavored to find support in detached portions of the dwellings that had been swept away and carried down with them. i'Many of them were enabled to hold on for time but were knocked off or lost their hold as the objects swirled around or went to pieces.

FiehtinK for Llle. The toirent which had been set free followed the course of the Conemaugh river, whose chnnel had now become of fearful depth, and everything was therefore swept into the raging flood, with the dying and dead upou its surface. The struggle for life was a tearmli one. Some were abl a foothol of li PAGES all of the houses were swept away all were flooded, and one report has it that only two houses have been left above water. Those who were swept away to their death were mostly citizens in the lower portion of the town and in the lower portion of the houses.

Those who had time rushed to the upper portions of their dwellings, bnt the water rose almost as fast as they conld ascend, and in many instances swept away their dwellings from the foundations. Hundreds are believed to have perished in their dwellings, and 200 or more corpses were counted strewn along the resistless tide. Of course it is useless to make any attempt to estimate the dead, but before darkness set in houses were seen floating away down the river, and the people who were free were panic stricken and were fleeing to the mountains. At a point near New Florence eighty five persons have been seen floating down the river on driftwood. The Covetown and the New Florence bridges were washed away and all the buildings along the Conemaugh between Johnstown and New Florence, a distance of fourteen miles, have been carried away.

The railroad towers have been abandoned by the operators. Trains that go by Johnstown on the way East have been stopped at Lilly's by a great washout. He Saw Over Five Hundred Dead Bodies. New Florence, June 1. "How can anybody tell how many are dead," said a railroad engineer this morning.

"I have been at Sang Hollow with my train since 1 1 o'clock yesterday, and I have Been fully five hundred persons lost in the flood." J. W. Esch, a brave railroad employe, saved sixteen lives at Nineveh. The most awful culmination of the awful night was the roasting of a hundred or more people at Mud Flood. The ruin of houses, old buildings and other structures swept against the new railroad bridge at Johnstown and from an overturned stove or some such cause, the upper part of the wreckage caught fire.

There were crowds of men, women and children on the wreck and their screams were soon added to the awful chorus of horror. They were literally roasted on the flood, and soon after the fire burned itself out others were thrown against the mass. There were Fifty People In Slht When the Ruins Suddenly Parted. It broke up and was swept under the bridge into pitchy darknees. The latest news from Johnstown is that but two houses could be seen in the town.

It is also said that only three houses remain in Cambria City. The first authentic news was from W. N. Hayes, of the Pennsylvania railroad company, who reached New Florence at 9 o'clock. He says the Valley Towns are Annihilated.

The Associated Press now has the only wire between New Florence and Pittsburg and has its connection with the main circuit. The details are meagre, but will be furnished at the first moment possible. WILLIAMSPORT ENDANGERED. Millions of Feet of Loss Almost Ready lo Be Swept Down. Williamsport, June 1.

Bain has been falling here with only brief cessation since yesterday afternoon, and at a late hour last night it was still coming down in torrents. The reports from Clearfield and other points at the head waters of the west branch show the water to be unusually high, being several feet above the 1865 mark. In Clearfield it was on the floor of the court house. About forty five million feet of logs are back and will be brought down by tbis flood. Fears are felt for the boom at Lock Haven when these logs reach it It is even feared that the Linden railroad bridge above this city will be taken should the expected jam reach here.

The Philadelphia and Erie railroad, between Bidgway and Benovo, is submerged at a number of points and trainB were behind this afternoon. The Beech Creek road is also damaged at a number of points. Every preparation has been made h4 tor the flood, which is expected to be from sixteen to Venly eet by daylight A large torce ot men wereTCv to work on the boom to get it in shape. It is expertet tnat it win no a zauuu.ooo leet more with out trouble. The river is rising: at Kenovo at the rate of three feet an hour.

Loyal sock creek, four miles east of this city, is very high, and as there are 13,000.000 feet of logs along the stream it is feared that they will go out. Latest dispatch from Kenovo says the wa ter has raised there five feet in an hour, and is still rising one foot an hour. Water is sixteen feet high at Queen's Bun, a short distance west of Lock Haven. Bad washouts are reported on the Philadelphia and Erie railroad, and trains have all been abandoned. The latest train last night by the Beech Creek road reported the flood bad in the Clearfield region.

Trains could not get within eight miles of Clearfieldtown. A re port prevailed that several men had been killed. FIRE THIS MORNING. Hartman's Tannery and Its Contents En tirely Destroyed. Shortly after o'clock this morning an alarm of fire was struck from box 41 aud the fire department responded promptly.

They were called to Hartman's tannery, on Tenth street, above btate, which was soon a mass of flames. The building was surrounded by the overflow of Paxton creek, and the firemen were compelled to drag the hose through water that reached to their waists in order to get near the building. It is supposed the fire was caused by the water slaking the lime on the first floor, causing spontaneous combustion. The firemen fought the flames bravely and were able to save part of the building. The contents were destroyed.

At this tannery the principal busi ness was the tanning and dressing of Morocco leather. The insurance held by the owner is as follows Allen and Cast Pennsboro company, $1,500, placed with E. O. Dare Son, agents; $1,000 each in Home of New York and Liverpool and London and Globe; $1,925 each in Phoenix, of New York, Commercial Union by F. R.

Lieb, agent. Mr. Hartman thinks his loss on stock alone will not be less than $5,000 or $6,000. The building was worth probably $2,000. The stock was principally composed of sheep skin, leather and wool.

Much of the latter had been packed and was ready for shipment to day. A Card to the Firemen. To the firemen of the city of Harrisburg, and my family, extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks for their noble and unwearied efforts to save my property from destruction, at a time when the forces of nature held sway. J. B.

Hartman. The Flood at York. By Associated Press. York, June 1. The flood in the Cordorus here reached its greatest height about 6 o'clock this morning, when all the bridges, save one, were under water.

The business places and residences in the lower section were flooded to a great extent and the damage in this eity alone will amount to $25,000. The injury" to the Spring Grove paper mills, near this city, in heavy. By noon the water had fallen sufhcient to restore travel ever nearly all the bridges. Iu attempting to catch some driftwood James Mcllvaine lost his balance and fell into the raging current and was drowned. A number of bridges in the county have been swept away and the loss in tire county, exclusive of the city, is estimated at $100,000.

Ahead nt the End of the Fifth Inning In the game between the Philadelphia Giants and Ilarrisburgs this afternoon the score stood 2 for Harrisburg and for fhe Giants at the end of the fifth inning. A New Bond. Mr. J. O.

Oyler, musical director of the M. band, corner of Reily and Lo tuts, is meeting with good success in Us, and expects soon to have a first OU JOHNSTOWN ANNIHILATED. OVER ONE THOUSAND LIVES LOST. HUNDREDS OF BODIES LYING ALONG THE RIVER SHORE. ONE HUNDRED BODIES AT NINEVAH.

LATEST FROM JOHNSTOWN. A Tale of Horror Unprecedented In the History ot the State. By Associated Press. New Florence, June 1. W.

N. Hays, a Pennsylvania railroad official, has just returned from Johnstown. He says the place is annihilated. Conemaugh is wrecked and Cambria City is swept away. Fully 1,200 live3 have been lost.

Nevt Florence, June 1. One hundred bodies have been recovered at Nineveh. Seventy persons are reported to have burned to death in a fire at the Johnstown bridge. New Florence, June 1. Sang Hollow is the nearest point to Johnstown that can be reached this morning.

All telegraph communication between these two points are cut off, and it is yet impossible to secure definite information. New Florence, June 1. The gray morning light does not seem to show either hope or mitigation of the awful fears of the night We are at New Florence, fourteen miles from the scene of desolation at Johnstown. It has been a Hard Night to Everybody. The weary, overworked newspaper men who have been without rest and food since yesterday afternoon and the operators who have handled the messages are even now preparing for the work of the day.

There has been a long wrangle over the possession of a special train for the press between rival morning papers and it has delayed the work of others who are anxious to get further east. Even here, so far from the washed out towns, the horror is in our midst. Seven bodies have been found on the shore near this town, two being in a tree, a man and woman, where the tide had carried them. The country people are coming into the news centers in large numbers, telling Stories of the Disaster along the river banks in sequestered places. John McCarthy, a carpenter who lives in Johnstown reached here about 4 lie left Johnstown at half past four o'clock yesterday, and says the scene when he left was indescribable.

The people had been warned early in the morning to move to the highlands, bnt they did not heed the warniug, although it was repeated a number of times up to 1 o'clock, when the water poured into Cinder street several feet deep. Then the houses began rocking to and fro, and finally the force of the current carried the buildings across streets and vacant lots, and dashed them against each other and breaking them into fragments. These buildings were freighted with poor wretches who so shortly before had laughed at the Cry of Danger. McCarthy says in some cases he counted as many as fifteen persons clinging to buildings. McCarthy's wife was with him.

She had three sisters who lived near her. They saw the house in which these girls lived carried awav, and then they could stand it no Vjnger, so they hurried away. The husband feared Qis wire would go crazy betore he could drag ker away, and they left the flooded district ani wept inland along the country roads until they here. It is said to be to impossible to get to proper to day in any manner except by rom boat The roads are cut up so that even the couutrvmen refuse to travel over them in their roughest vehicles. The only hope is to get within about three miles of Johnstown by special train or by hatkd car.

This will be done by the Associated Press agent within the next hour. New Florence, June 1. Later The waters are now receding here as rapidly as they rose last night, and as tha banks uncover the dead are showing up. Already Nine Dead Bodies have been picked up within the limits of this borough since daylight None of them have as yet been recognized. Five of those fonnd are women; one lady, probably 25 years old and rather handsome, had clasped in her arms a baby about six months old.

The dead body of a young man was discovered in the branches of a huge tree which had been carried down the stream. The body of another woman has just been discovered in the river here. Her foot was discovered above tha surface of the water. A rope was fastened about it and it is now tied to a tree awaiting assistance to land it John L. Weber and his wife, an old cou ple, Mike Metzgar and John Forney were rescued near here early this morning.

They had been carried from their home in Cambria City on the roof of a house. There were seven others on the roof of the house when it was carried off by the angry waters. They were all drowned. They are unknown to Weber, they haying drifted on to the roof from the floating debris. Mr.

Weber and wife were almost helpless from exposure. They were unable to wait when taken off the roof at this place. They are now at the hotel here. The banks on both Bides of the river at this place are crowded with anxious watchers and with horrifying frequency their vigils are rewarded by the discovery of a dead body. Within the last half hour Three Floating Bodies Have covered Been Re at this point and hundreds of people from ubhnstown and the up river towns are hurrying here in seach of their friends and relatives who are swept away iu last night's flood.

The most intense excitement prevails here. The street corners are crowded with pale and anxious people, who tell of the awful calamity with still breath. 'Squire Bennett I has charge of the dead bodies and he is having them properly cared for. They are being prepared for burial hut will be held here for identification. Four boys have jnstcome from the river bank above here.

They sav that on the opposite side a number of bodies can be seen lying in the mud. They fonnd the body of a woman on this side. She was covered with debris, but they pulled her out. She had only a few tatters of clothes on. Her body was badly bruised.

No News Can be Received from Johnstown and it may be many hours before we can get anv. li. B. Rogers, justice of the peace at Nineveh, has wired the coroner of Greens burg that one hundred dead bodies have been found at that place and he asks what to do with them. From this one can estimate that Tbo Loss ol Llle Will Reach more than No one knows, no one can the sickenning sight that is expected to be met oy the correspondents when they arrive at the scene above.

A report has jnst been received that 20 persons are on an island near Nineveh, and that a man and woman are on a partly submerged tree. A. report has just reached here that at least IOO People Were Consumed In the Flames at Johnstown last night. It is said to have been an awful horror, but information can not be obtained here. The air is filled with and most incredible but has as yet confirmed.

"It ESTABLISHED 1831? is certain, however, that not be imagined. even the worst can WATER IN WILLIAMSPORT. The Boom Breaks at 9 O'clock this Morning. By Associated Press. Philadelphia, June i.

12 m. The wires to Williamsport are still down. A diaf patch received from that city, by way Reading, stated that the lumber boom had broken at 9 o'clock this morning, and the water was rushing through the upper end the town. NO NEWS FROM LOCK. HATEN.

All that Is Known la That the City Flooded. By Associated Press. Philadelphia, June l. A dispatch received from Williamsport at 1 o'clock this afternoon states that the city is flooded and the water is still rising. Up to 1 o'clock no news ot any sort had been received from Lock Haven as to the state of affairs there, and the condition of that water swept city is only a matter of conjecture.

The last news received showed that the place was overflowed by the bursting of the lumber boom located just above the city. A Whole Family Drowned. Philadelphia, Jane 1. Captain J. E.

Fitzpatrick, of the Central police detail, has received the following dispatch from his brother Peter, who was chief of police of Cambria borough, located across the river from Johnstown, Pa. "Rose, her husband and child and my wife and three children were all drowned. Some of Bob's children escaped." The persons referred to in the message are Rose Brady, Capt Fitzpatrick's sister; J. Brady, the husband, Ellen Brady, the daughter, Mary Fitzpatrick and her three children, two boys and one girl. "Bob" refers to another brother living there who had nine children.

THE WATER RAILROAD BLOCKADE Expected to be Greater Than That of the snow isiockade. By Associated Press. Philadelphia, June 1. All indications point to the present trouble as being the worst ever experienced by the Pennsylvania railroad company. During the blizzard of March, 1888, the road was blocked on the New York division and east of Altoona for nearly five days, and that memorable blockade the snow was caused by snow alone, the road not being damaged in any way.

Present suspension of traffic, caused by the washing away of the bridges and viaducts, heavy landslides, long and deep washouts and the heavy masses of rock from the mountain sides to the tracks below, between Altoona and Johnstown, a distance of about forty miles, and east of the former city, is expected to last fully as long as the snow blockade of a year ago. At the office of the general manager of the road it was stated this morning that the new bridge across the Conemaugh river at Johnstown, which was, reported to have been swept away by the water, is still standing as firm as ever, but the approach thereto for a distance of 300 or 400 feet between the station and the bridge has been washed out The information received from, that point is very meagre. An official of the road there telegraphs that it is impossible to describe the calamity and desolation that followed it No particulars were given beyond this. Situation of the Trains. The positions of east and west bound trains on the Pennsylvania main line, as placed in these dispatches last night, remains unaltered.

The New York and Chicago limited, east bound, is still at Wetmore; the Atlantic express and Seashore express are at Portage; the Day express from Chicago and mail train are at Conemaugh Philadelphia express, east bound from Pittsburg, is at Bolivar Junction. The three west bound trains from New York to Chicago are still at Altoona. No definite information can be given as to when these trains will move from the stations at which they are now laid np. On the Middle division, between Harrisburg and Altoona, the line is very badly blocked, but the rain has ceased falling, and the flood in the Juniata is likely to decrease. As soon as the water falls the extent of the trouble can be ascertained and the prospects for running trains stated with some degree of accuracy.

From II arrisbnrg norm to williamsport on tne Uen traT diyjLsion the condition of the track is nearly rbad as on the Middle division and uo trains will be run until the track can be r.w Pnijwry 1 Williamsport on the Philadelphia and Erie branch, the small amount of information received is enough to show that the running of i. i. 1 urtmia is uui uj. me question. vm me lortn ern Central branch, between Harrisburg and Baltimore, there are several bad washouts and no trains have yet been run on that division.

On the Philadelphia division, between Harrisburg and Philadelphia, the storm was not of sufficient violence to do any serious damage, and the road is, therefore, clear between these cities. At Havre de Grace, the water in ihe Susquehanna is reported to be very high, bnt no serious damage has as yet been reported. "Vice President Frank Thomson, of the Pennsyl vania railroad company, left this morning on a special train tor the scene of tha blockade, and the efforts to clear the line and restore travel will be made under his supervision. Bound for the Scene of the Catastrophe. By Associated Press.

Sang Hollow, June 1. At 9:30 the first train passed New Florence boned east It was crowded with people from Pittsburg and places along the line who were going to the scene of the disaster with but little hope of finding their loved ones alive. Rich and poor were on board the train, all thinking of bnt one thing, and that was, "What will we see It was a heartrending sight Mothers mourned for their children. Husbands paced the aisles and wrung their hands iu mute agony. Fathers pressed their faces against wmaows ana endeavored to see some thing, they knew not what, tl would tell them in a measure of dreadful fate that their loved ones had met with all along the raging Conemaugh.

The train stopped and the bodies were taken on the express car, being carried by villagers who were out along the banks. The Flood nt Pittsburg. By Associated Press. Pittsburg, June l. The body Welsh woman 60 years of age was of a taken lroiu Jtun Ejver near lue suspension unlit other bodies were seen, but owing to the mass of wreckage which is coming down the river they could not be recovered and passed down the Ohio river.

A citizens' meeting has been called to devise means to aid the sufferers of the Johnstown flood. ThfiPenn sylvania railroad officials have alreftdyplacci cars on Liberty street for the purpose of receiving provisions and clothing, and up to this hour many prominent merchants have, made heavy donations. The Boom at Lock Haven Breaks. By Associated Press. i Williamsport, Juiio l.

About clock this morning word, was receive Williamsport that the boom at Lock Haj had broken, and that the plae was oi flowed. Since then no news has been ceived to the condition of affairs, as" I wires between Williamsport and Lock Uaven went down immedintely after the sending of the dispatch hud communication hasnot been restored. Big Lumber Loss at Lancaster. By Associated Press. Lancaster, June .1.

Sixty five rafts broke loose from their moorings near Wrightsviltik. this morning and were carried p. down the Sdsqnehanua, involving a loss of over The rafts belonged to Bill Small, of York. The Port Royal and Mifllintown brid over the Jnniata are gone..