Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1907 — RIVERS IN A RAGE. [ARTICLE]

RIVERS IN A RAGE.

Lltm and Property Lost When Mountain Stream* Break Bank*. The loss of several lives and great property damage have resulted from heavy rains throughout Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio nnd West Virginia. The rivers and mountain streams are out of their banks, live stock has been drowned, bridges and buildings haw been washed away, railroad tracks have been swept off or undermined, trolley systems demoralized, electric light plants put out of commission and hundreds of families compelled to abandon tlicir homos nnd seek refuge on higher ground. In Pittsburg the rivers have risen five feet in ten hours. Reports from above the city say that recurring storms during the last fortyeight hours have resulted in a precipitation of from, three to four inches, which, being at the headwaters when then reach this city, nitty cause some damage not expected at present. Parts of West Virginia have sustained heavy loss. Miles of track of the Western Maryland and the coal and iron railroads In Tucker and Barber counties have been washed away. The service on those roads is said to be at a standstill. The Dry Fork and Baltimore and Ohio Railroads aro under water tor many miles. In the Tygart Valley the towns of Grafton. Rowlesburg nnd Timnelton are almost submerged, the damage amounting to nearly $250,000. At Elkins the rainfall was five inches. At McCornb, W. Va., the homo of Mrs. Mary Ballard was wrecked by the high water, and three young children were drowued. The bodies wore washed away. While hundreds of persons watched the raging Tygart River a church floated down past Rowlosburg. Fifteen bridges were counted passing Grafton.