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AN APPALLING CALAMITY.Details of the Disaster in WesternMassachusetts.OVER TWO HUNDRED LIVES LOST !ofthecitytheTheeachWhole Families Swept Away by the Flood—Gathering Up the Dead.FEARFUL SCENES OF DESOLATION.Large Structures of Stone and Brick Overturned by the Torrent.FULL LIST OF THE LOST.Upwards of $3,000,000 Worth of Property Destroyed.THRILLIXG INC1WEXTS-NARU0W ESOAPES.The Gate-Keeper’s Ride to Williamsburg —Heroism of Collins Graves.CAUSE OF THE CATASTROPHE.Etc.. Etc., Etc.{WEClAf. DESPATCH TO TUB BOSTON POST.]Northampton, Mass., Mat 17.Never before has Hampshire county experienced such intense excitement and deep gloom as that which at present pervades its entire length and breadth. Certainly no greater calamity could have befallen any community than that which, in such a brief space of time, swept so many souls into eternity or destroyed such a vast amount ol property as the disaster of Saturday morning, which had it3 origin in a little village called Goshen, situated in the northwestern part of the county. Almost in the twinkling of an eye a mighty torrent burst its bounds in the lastnesses of High Ridge Mountain and came rushing down the beautiful valley ol Mill River, conveying with it death and destruction, and nearly devastating three flourishing towns in its course. At the head of the valley and about three miles from the town cf Williamsburg was a reservoir built several years ago and used for the purpose of supplying the mills at the above and other towns along the valley. This was only used during the dry season w hen the river was low, and for about seven or eight months there has been no extra drawage made upon it, and the surplus water passed harmlessly through the overflow pipe into the river, This is the main reservoir, although there are two smaller ones on the Goshen branch, both of which are partly supplied by the upper one, which is fed bv steam from the head of the river and range of mountains which lie directly back 01 it. The reservoir was built on a stone wall, and on this base was constructed a stonebasin of nearly semi-circular form. Outsidethere was an embankment of earth one hundredand twenty-two feet thick at the base, thethickness decreasing in small ratio until the top was reached, where it had a thickness of full sixty feet. This Luge basin covered an area of one hundred and ten acres. The heavy rain of Friday night caused a rapid rise in Mill r iver, which, with the streams from other sources, poured into the reservoir, and on Friday morning is said to have contained over forty feet of water. This immense pressure greatly weakened the base, and at about 8 o'clock Saturday morning sent its great volume of water with the force of a giant cataract down into the valley beneath, sweeping before it factories and dwellings, together with their occupants, more than two hundred of whomperished. The town of Williamsburg was nearly washed away, but few houses being left standing, and such as did escape are located some distance from the banks ol the river, which was the course pursuedby the torrent ot water.THE FATAL LEAK DISCOVERED.It appears that at a few' minutes before 8 o'clock in ihemotninga lad employed in one of the mills, while passing close to the reservoir, noticed the water pouring out from places above and below the main pipe which feeds the dam. The boy immediately notified Mr Collin Graves, who saw at a glance that danger was imminent. He unharnessed his horse :*ml drove as quick as possible to the nearest mill on the stream, which was Adams’s grist mill, and gave the alarm, but hardly had he done so when the waters began pouring out, a very deluge rushing on like a huge mass, and, as one ol the persons who saw it said, “It seemed a9 if the river had risen from its bed and was rolling over the land, engulfing everything in its path.” Down it came, the first obstacle it met being the above-mentioned mill, which contained some ten or twelve workmen; next it overthrew Spelman’s button factory, in which was nearly fifty men, women and children, but few ol whom escaped death, either by drowning or burialbeneath the debris of the toppling building.ONWARD MARCII OF THE TORRENT.Passing this point it swept away ten wooden dwellings, averaging from one and one-half to two and one-half stories in height, all being occupied by the mill operatives and their families. Next came James’s woollen factory, a large three story brick building, the foundation of which was carried off first, and then the great structure toppled over into the stream with a loud crash, filling a portion of the liver with its ruins and creating a dam, which checked, for a moment, the fury of the water. But only for a moment, for, gathering in volume, it burst all temporary barriers and swept on with redoubled velocity, rushing high on to the meadow lauds on either side, and takmgall human beluga and buildings in its track. On came the deluge to the next town, a portion of Haydenville, known to the people hero-abouts us Skinnersville, from the fact that at this bend in the river Mr Skinner owned an immense brick structure, which he occupied as a silk manufactory, giving employment to nearly three hundred people. This building shared the fate of the others further up the stream, and was soon, with its valuable contents and machinery transformed into a shapeless mass of ruins. The fine residence of Mr Skinner on the bank or the river seems to be the only one spared by the flood, although it was badly damaged, the front underpinning being torn away, as was also a large portion of the verandah and its coping. A quarter of a mile further down the river was located another large brick structure occupied by Hayden, Gear Co. as a brass foundry. This met the fate ol the others and was wrenched from its foundation and hurled over into the river, which is quite shallow at this point. A large flue boiler in this establishment, weighing many tons, was hurled across the river and landed on the lawn of an estate some four hundred feet from its former position. At Haydenville Centre, the new bank, known as the Haydenville Savings Bank, which has recently been erected at a cost of $10,000. was demolished m less than a minute,as stated by an eye-witness,and the officers and clerkshad barely time to lock the vault and escape from the falling house with their lives. The safe or vault and its contents lie now in the bed ol the river, and doubtless are uninjured. Scattered along the banks of the river w ere from thirty to forty houses, all occupied by the workmen and their families, and in each one from one to six people resided, mostly the wives and children of factory employes. The majority of these poor people were paralyzed with fear, and of course were swept onward by the flood, many ol them being drowned, while, as in other places above, several were killed instantly, while others were dreadluliy bruised and mangled by the floating and tumbling avalanche ol ruins from Haydenville.THE DELUGE REACHES LEEDS AND FLORENCE.The roaring and seething deluge came tumbling down to Leeds, a town four miles distant from the one heretofore mentioned. Here all the flood appears to have spent its fuiy, but only when many lives were sacrificed and over $500,000 worth of properry destroyed. The waters reached here about twenty ruimues after 8 o'clock, and carried away the dam of the Nonotuck Silk Company, next taking a large frame boarding-house belonging to that company. The upper part ot this structure was carried by the waters one hundred and fifty feet distant, to a fire engine house on the mam street, completely demolishing it, and piling it up on the bank in an inverted position. In the main street the water rose up suddenly to a height of six feet, and for a long distance on the line of the stream scarcely a house is left standing. The brick structures owned and occupied by 31 r George P. Warner for the manufacture of pearl and ivory buttons were completely wrecked, and several small buildings adjoining them were carried down the street nearly seven hundred yards, and then thrown high and dry upon the bank, all totally ruined. A new and large barn belonging to Mr W. F. Quigley was also wrecked, or nearly so. In Florence, a town between Leeds and Northampton, the damage done to property, though heavy, was much lfss than to any other town or village through w bich the torrent passed.A TOUCHING INCIDENTof fidelity to duty was exemplified m the instance of Mr Ralph Isbam, a young gentleman employed as book-keeper at Warner’s Factory in Leeds. When all had sought safety in flight from the approaching flood he remained and began to gather up all of the most valuable books and papers of the house, and was on Lite point ef leaving when the water struck the edifice, completely turning It over ami buryingMr [sham at the bottom of the river with the greatmoss of debris upon him. At Haydenville the deluge seems to have met with an obstacle, and instead of following the river it diverged to the eastward and furrowed out a new path describing a perfect semicircle for nearly a thousand yards and finally returning to the main stream. In Florence, the Vernon Paper Company lost part ot their dam, and their mill | is flooded to the second story ami consequently badly damaged. At the Messrs Giemeut Hawks’swot ks the water cut a channel about seventy feet wide, and at the Hospital meadows the water pourod in great volume over the abutments.AT NORTHAMPTONthe water rose far above West street, and numerous ditches and culverts now mark the places that only a few days ago were noted for their beautiful and symmetrical appearance. All the houses above the dam here w'ere either washed away or badly wrecked, but the Hoe Factory, which is above, was left standing and sustained but slight damage. During the morning the West street iron bridge, a fine structure, was swept away; the South street bridge was considerably damaged, aud the railroad bridge over the XL and N. R, R. was entirely destroyed. The buildings of the International Screw Company were more or less damaged, as was also several small dwelling-houses close by. The occupants, however, had ample time to escape from their homes before the flood reached them.THF PROPERTY LOSS.The total number of buildings destroyed is about forty; also twenty bridges, including twelve of iron, one of stone and the remainder of wood. The total amount of property destroyed by the flood, and as estimated by various gentlemen who were engaged in manufacturing on the river, will not fall short of $3,000,000, and of course this is dead loss, there being nothing to cover the damage as in case of fire. Undoubtedly several branches of trade carried on here will be abandoned as far as Mill river is concerned* such being the sentiments ol not a few ot the business men here.NAMES OF THE LOST.Tiie names of the people who perished by drowning and from other causes by this appalling calamity, as lar as can bo ascertained up to late this eveniug, are as follows, beginning with those who resided in the town of Williamsburg, which includes Skinner-villeand llaydenvilJe:—IN WILLIAMSBURG.Dr E. M. Johnson, wife and three children.Mrs Elbridge Kingsley.Mrs Elbridge Kingsley, Jr., and two children.Henry Birmingham (superintendent of James’sfactory)* wife and three children,Mrs Dwight Adams and two children,Mrs Jerome Hillman,Mrs Albert Lamb.Conductor Chandler’s wife and child.Christian Kepler, wife and daughter.Mrs Jacob Hill.Ely Bryant.Robert Hayden,a little sou of Capt. Joseph Hayden, Mrs Morris.Miss Johanna Williams.Two young children belonging to Edward Thayer.Mrs Hogan.Edward Moakler.Francis Brooden.Three children belonging to Henry Melor.Mrs John Williams and three children.Mrs Lewds Messia, her daughter and three children, Mrs Luke Posey.Stephen Vi ley and wife.John Downey, wife, mother and an infant.Patrick Skully, wife and three children.Mr Spence Bartlett and wife.Mr T. J. Hitchcock.William Adams, proprietor of the grist mill.Mr Payson Hubbard, his daughter, Mrs Wood, and her infant.An unknown man employed iu Heudlcfelt’s blacksmith shop.Wm. Ward.Three children belonging to Samuel Miller.Martin Burke, wife and six children.Michael Cahill.Miss Livingston S. Bartlett.Viola B. Collyer.Mrs Snow.Willie Tilton.Mrs William Sarter.R. J. Louchone.Widow Electa Knight.Widow Mary Brennan.Alex. Roberts, wife and two children.Mary Ann McGee.Mrs George E. Lamb.E. C. Hubbard,Fred R. Bird.Jan os Stephens.Mrs W. D. Adams and son Willie.Widow Johnson.Frank Murray and wife.John Atkinson,George Ashley.Frank Train and wife.John Kaplinger.Mrs John Wilson and three children.Mrs Antoine Brosier and two of her children.Mrs Napoleon Benoit, with an infant.Michael Burke.Archibald Lancoubie.IN LEEDSthe following persons have been recognized : —Mrs Cogan and two daughters.Andrew Hennessy’s wife, daughter and mother. John Hennon’s wife and three children.Charles Patrick, wile, mother and two sisters, both young women grown.Alexander Leauy.Edward Harmon, wife and four children.Patrick O’Neil.Carrie Bonnery.Mrs Fitzgerald, a married daughter and two children.Effie Sherwood.John Ryan, wife and two children.Mr and Mrs Burnett and five children.Thomas Vaugb, station agent.Miss Mary Woodard.Two children of John Clancy.Mrs Hurley.James Fennessoy aud wife.Lizzie Charpeutier.Mary Rose.Ralnh Isham.Ira Dunning.Samuel Davis.Mrs Martha Sharp.Mrs O’Sbaughnessev.Mrs Sarah O’Ryan and child.± Nellie Feunessey.There are quite a number of others missing, mostly French operatives in the mills, and this afternoon seven more have been taken from the water aud ruins, many of whom are so disfigured by wounds as to be almost unrecognizable. Dr Johnson* of Williamsburg, when found in the river, liad his two little children clasped tightly to his breast, his wife and her infant having also perished#STATEMENT OF AN EYE-WITNESS.A gentleman who witnessed the catastrophe from a point between Haydenville and Leeds states that he w as riding along on horseback to Noitbampton when his attention was suddenly called to a noise resembling the roar of Niagara Falls, anti preceded by violent wind. On looking in the direction from whence the sound came he beheld the river which, as it seemed to him, only a moment before was rolling along in its usual placid manner, lifted up from its bed and rushing towards the embankments, which for hundreds of yards were overflowed, and the meadows covered to the depth of from four to six feet. Urging his horse on to a gallojrlhe man put himself out of danger, and then paused to make sure that he was not mistaken, or, as he said, dazed. The waters in the river continued to rise rapidly, and soon building after building was toppled over, some into the stream and others hurled a great distance on both banks. Huge piles of ruins were bwift’y borne along, colliding with each other and ilien going to pieces. Men, women and children were seen for a moment tossed on the huge waves, mothers holding their babes above their heads, as if imploring for aid to save their darlings. Strong men attempted to buffet the mighty torrent, but in vain, Mid were soon out of sight under the water or buried under wrecks ol bouses.A TERRIBLE PICTURE.Following dow n the stream from the unfortunate reservoir in Williamsburg to Florence, a scene of desolation which beggars description meets the eye as it turns to Mill river. Everywhere along its margin are piled up ruins of dwellings and factories, some of the structures being thrown on their gable-ende, while others rest upon their roofs. Some have a side entirely ripped off,but the largest number now being only fit for kindling wood. Crowds of sorrow-stricken people are searching among the ruins for relatives and frantically calling upon them by name. Husbands looking for their wives, wives for their husbands, fathers and mothers for their children; and, when a body is recovered, all silently scan its features, when, perhaps, as in several cases which transpired to-day. a wife would recognize her husband and a mother her child and then throw herself upon the corpse, uttering heartrending cries. In a building in Haydenville this morning were placed some forty of the dead, recovered during the night and morning. These were ranged side by side, and,as fast as identified,placed in coffins and either taken away by friends or immediately buried. The relatives of many of the victims being in indigent circumstances could not bury them and sadly resigned that sacred duty to the kindness of strangers. During the day several carloads of plain but neat coffins were sent up from this town to the various places requiring them.SEARCHING FOR THE LOST.Last evening a call was made by the Selectmen of Northampton lor two hundred men to aid in searching among the ruins for bodies. This number responded quickly to the summons, but owing to so many bridges being washed away and the bad condition of the roads the men could get no further than Florence. This morning, however, at an early hour, they took the care for Leeds, and their numbers were rapidly increased by volunteers from nearly every tow« and village in the county. A large force was distributed at various points along the route of the disaster and continued to work until nightfall. 'I he relief committee have just issued another call for two hundred more men to meet at the depot tomorrow morning to assist in the search. To-night large gangs of men are prosecuting the search with the aid of lamps and torches. Seven more bodies have been recovered this evening, but have not yet been identified. To-morrow morning renewed efforts will be made towards recovering the dead, and thus definitely ascertain the correct number of the victims.RELIEF FOR THE SUFFERERS.Relief committees were at once organized and a call w as made for clothing and provisions tor the now homeless survivors of the sad calamity. The greater part of those who escaped, however, were poor people who lost everything except the clothing they wore and are now in an extremely destitute condition. Theresponse ol the charitable has been most praiseworthy, and hundreds of garments have been received and distributed by the relief committee of this and other towns. This afternoon a despatch was received from Mayor Lewis, of New Haven, proffering assistance, which was thankfully received by the authorities. Similar despatches have been received from Springfield, Hartford, Worcester and other places. At Leeds a citizens’ meeting will be held iu the Town Hall to-morrow evening, to consult upon action for relief in the future.AN IMPROPERLY CONSTRUCTED DAM.The entire area covered by the reservoir is now completely drained of w ater, and the principal part of the outer wall ot earthworks is completely levelled to the ground. Competent engineers who have heretofore visited the dam and made an official inspection of it, state that it was improperly constructed to contain so great a pressure. Col. Dim-mock, a member of the Reservoir Committee, staled that it was the intention of the Committee to officially inspect the works last Friday and take suitable measures to guard against accidents, This, he states,could have been done by allowing a certain quantity of the water to flow into the river and by building anadditional wall.VISITORS TO THE SCENE.This morning as early as daylight the roads leading to Northampton and the ruined places were lined with carriages and vehicles of every description, ail filled with people hurrying to the ill-fated towns. To-night the place is full ot strangers, and every hotel and lodgmg-liouse is crowded to its utmost capacity. The trains from New York on Saturday night brought large numbers of people, some having relatives who were lost in the flood, while others came to view the terrible scene.ASSOCIATED PRESS ACCOUNT.GRAPHIC DETAILS OF THE SHOCKING VISITATION-TERRIBLE SCENES AND INCIDENTS—THE DIRECT CAUSE OF THE CALAMITY J CONDITION OF THE RESERVOIR AT THE TIME OF THE BREAK; STATEMENT OF LEWIS BODMAN AND OTHERS — A WALK AMONG THE DEAD — HEARTRENDING SPECTACLE—FUNERAL OF NINE VICTIMS—THE DESTITUTE, ETC., ETC.Springfield, Mass., May 17.—The most terribledisaster in the annals of Massachusetts occurred in Hampshire county on Saturday. The Williamsburg reservoir, covering a tract of over one hundred acres, gave away earlv in the forenoon, precipitating the vast mass of water it contained three miles down a steep and narrow valley into the thriving manufacturing village of Williamsburg, and thence farther down the valley through the villages of Haydenville, Leeds and Florence into the Northampton meadows, where the stream empties into the Connecticut. The huge torrent dashing into Williamsburg sw ept away in a moment the manufacturing establishments and numbers of dwelling-houses, causiug enormous destruction of property and terrible loss of human me. The lower villagessuffered only lesslawfully. The latest figures of the loss of life make the total number 144. divided between the three places, as follows: Williamsburg, 60 ; Leeds, 49; Haydenville, 36. These figures only represent the persons whose loss i6positively known, though the bodies of al. are no*yet recovered. Bodies are constantly being found, and in some cases of persons who w'ere not supposed to be lost, So that it seems perfectly safe to say that the total loss ol life will exceed 150, if indeed it does not more nearly approach 200.THE DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY.It is utterly impossible, as yet, to give detailed estimates of losses, aside from the buildings destroyed and damaged. Bridges have been carried away, roads ruined, and hundreds of acres of meadow laud rendered almost valueless. The total loss must lar exceed one million dollars, but will probably come nearer two millions. The following is a general estimate oflosses by places„Williamsburg—W. H. Aromiss, flouring mill swept away, $10,000; H. L. James, mill destroyed and left without water power, $20,000; houses, barns, etc., gone, $40,000.Skinnersville—William Skinner's silk factory, and twelve tenement houses destroyed, $130,000; others houses and barns, $13,000.Haydenville—llayden, Gere Co., brass works, savings bank buildings and tenements swept away, $250,000; Hayden Tobaeco Co.’s null carried off, $7000; Hayden Foundry Machine Co.’s works damaged $5000; other houses and stores, $30,000; gas works, $8000; Leeds Nonotuck Silk Co.’s dam broken and several buildings and houses carried away. $25 000* George P. Warner’s button factory destroyed and three tenements, $100,000; other houses, bains,etc., $20,000. _Northampton— Emery Wheel Co. damage, $20,000.Floreuce— F lorence Ma nu factitrmgCocapany,brush factory, damage to stock, $3000; Nonotuck Silk Company, silk mill, partially torn away, stock damaged $8006.The damage to the town of Williamsburg by ih6 Joss of bridges, destruction of roads, and complete ruin ol the best meadow lauds, is at present incalculable, but it is such as to seriously cripple tiie town. Three iron bridges were carried away in the village of Williamsburg; one wooden and two iron bridges in the village of Leeds, one bridge was taken off; and in the village of Florence one iron and two wooden bridges were swept, away. Hayden, Gere Co., of Haydenville, one of the most important firms which iost their establishments, will have a card in the Springfield Republican ot to-morrow morning saying that they intend 10 rebuild their factory at once and advertise for workmen for that purpose. Their employes will be paid as soon as the accounts can be made up, andthe tu rn generously offers aid to those ol their workmen who need it.CONDITION OF TIIE RESERVOIR.It appears that serious doubts as to the safety ol the reservoir have been felt ever since it was built, nine years ago, though less the last year or two than in its early history. The gate-keeper has several times expressed fears to his employers, calling special attention once to the point w here the break occurred, but the examiners always reported everything sale. Vastly more important testimony than this of the gate-keeper, however, is that furnished by Mr Lewis Bod man, a life-long and well-known reside nt oi Williamsburg, and for many years connected with its manufacturing interests. Mr Rodman is thoroughly familiar with the reservoir, which he helped to pay for, being at that time the owner of the James Mill, which he sold to the present owner six yeai s ago. Mr Boctman was interviewed by a reporter Saturday evening, and gave bis opinions with great frankness. He says that the proprietors were not satisfied with the reservoir when it was built, and felt that it was not safe. Mr Bodman accompanied the late Lieut -Gov. Hayden when the reservoir was first filled, which was not till the Spring ot 1866, and says that they both expected to see it go off at that first trial. It manifested no special weakness, however, and at different times subsequently it was strengthened, the most important operation aud one of the more recent being the “ Rip Rapping.” Mr Bod-man, however, confesses that lie never felt quite sat-ihiicd w ith the reservoir during the three years of its history when he was mill proprietor and so part ow ner of it. Since then he has maintained bis interest iu manufacturing enterprises so fully as to keep himself well in formed of the reservoir’s condition, and be says that he has become constantly better satisfied with.it until had he been asked the day before the disaster whether he considered it sate he would have unhesitatingly replied in the affirmative. Indeed Mr Bodman did thus assure a townsman, who only a week ago, as with some premonition oi the fate that overtook him onSaturday and particularly questioned him whether there was not danger the reservoir would give way. This opinion ot its safety, Mr Bodman says, was coincided with by all the manufacturers, who, he remarked, had most reason to feel anxiety if there were any ground for it, as having most at stake iu the matter. Upon being more closely questioned as to his opinion of the construction of the reservoir, Mi Bodman gave an opinion, w hich fully confirmed the impression that the reporter had received from avisit to the rums, viz., that the work as a whole was not satisfactory, and that the upper third of the wrall especially was slovenly built. He says that when the contractors reached this stage it was getting late in the Fall and cold weather was coming on. The engineer was sick some of the time, and did not exercise so constant and close a supervision as his position demanded, and the contractors hurried up their work as rapidly as possible withtoo little regard, Mr Bodman thinks, to the qualityof their work. Notwithstanding, however, Mr Bod-tnan’s confession that both he and other proprietors of the reservoir were dissatisfied with the style of construction, it was examined cud accepted by the Commissioners of Hampshire Countv, who have, also, since then more than once examined it and advised as to repairs upon it.THE DIRECT CAUSE OF THE DISASTER,aside from the general weakness of the dam, must remain a subject ol speculation, The gate-keeper detected no sign of danger when he examined the situation at early dawu, and what the last straw was that broke the back of the reservoir can never be definitely known. Perhaps as satisfactory a theory as any is one advanced by a man familiar with the case, that the frosts had started the earth so that the water had found numerous little, courses through it which finally carried off the first mass of earth, Saturday morning, and at once precipitated the catastrophe. The gate-keeper, as already said, has at various times feared trouble from tiie fact that a stream of water flowed constantly through the bottom just east of the gateway, wnile there were also a number of smaller streams, some of them quite minute, along the bottom oi either side of the centre. It is a curious tact, by the way, that the gate-keeper has always felt most anxious as to the spot where the break actually came. The proprietors of the reservoir, who had fears as to its safety, feared the opposite side. As to these little streams of w’ater, a gentleman familiar with the construction of reservoirs, says that it is quite impossible to construct such a dam so that there shall be absolutely no show' ot water on the lower side. This gentleman was fully conversant with the construction and character of the Williamsburg reservoir, and says that he never felt that there was ground for alarm in such small Streams as trickled through it; the soil he says w*s full of springs, and from these springs he thinks came most of the little water flow s.LOSS OF DR JOHNSON AND FAMILY.Most prominent among the victims at Williamsburg was Ir E. 31. Johnson, 36 years of age, the village physician, and it is a curious fact, by the way. that he had perfected plans for visiting New York to-day, intending to place himself under medicaltreatment, necessitated by his dose attention to hisprolessional duties. He was seen rushing out of his house tow ard a place of safety, with two of his three little children, bis wife, w ho was a native of Frederick, 3Id,, carrying the other ; but the whole family were overtaken by the flood and lost together. Dr Johnson came to Williamsburg after the close of the w ar, in which be had served as surgeon. He lor-inerly lived at Feeding Hills, being a nephew’ of Dr Bell, well known in that region, aud graduated at the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1862. lie was conscientious and ambitious in his work, universally beloved, a rising man in his profession. of which he was the only represeiative in the village. He was a deacon in the Congregational chinch and prominent in religious matters,W. H, ADAMS,whose flouring mill was one of the first buildings to fall, was lost with iiis assistant, Mr Hitchcock. 31 r Adams, nearing of the coming disaster, wreut down to his house, and, warning his family, “ The reservoir has broke.” attempted to regain the mill, whenhe was met by the coming wave and swept away. His house and bits family within were almost miraculously saved, the house of Hiram Hill, which stands in the track ot the flood, breaking its force. 31 r Adams was about 55 years of age, and formerly ran a flouring mill at West Chesterfield, coming to Willianisburg about four years ago,THE BIRMINGHAM FAMILY.One of the saddest cases was that of the H, Birmingham family—father, mother and three daughters, all swept away together. The family w ere all at breakfast when the water struck their house. 3ir Birmingham w as the Superintendent in James Mill, andhis daughters, Mary, Lizzie and Carrie, were aged 19,14 and 8, respectively. Miss Mary was a teacher in the South Street Primary School at Northampton, and bad come home to speud the Sabbath. It was a most lovable family, and their unwarned deathforms one ol the most touching scenes of this terribledisaster. Mr Birmingham was formerly a member of the Hinsdale Woollen Mill, firm of Birmingham Brothers, and was well know n in Western Muss*-chuseits,RUINS OF THE RESERVOIR.A reporter who examined the ruins of the reservoir a few hours alter the disaster describes the general aspect as follows: The eastern section of the reservoir, on which the first break occurred, has disappeared from top to base, with the exception of a few rocks at the bottom, almost to the eastern bank near the centre of the stream. The stone wall which inclosed the iron tube remained almost intact on the upper side, but on the lower side a considerable number of stones have been carried away by the force of the torrent. The western half of the reservoir has suffered less seriously, though even on that sideonly theextreme portion, where comparatively little of the pressure came, remains unimpaired. Much more of the base of the stone wall, however, remains here than on the other side, so that one can walk upon the remains of it to the very centre of the stream. Of the whole extent ol the reservoir, as it stood on Saturday morning, it is safe to sav that one-sixth now remains. The features that most impress one about the ruins is the smallness ol the stone wall, when compared with tiie immense extent of water which the reservoir held. This wall was understood to be eight feet thick at the base. Upon measuringa section of it, however, as it stood intact ten feetabove the bed of the stream, the reporter found that n lacked three inches of being six feet across. The upper third ot the wall as one looks across the chasm,at what remained of it on the eastern side, cannot fail to strike the average observer, possessing onlythe information and judgment of common sense, as seriously lacking in thoroughness and stability, without applying the tests, which an expert in such matters will doubtless soon put to it. A spectator from the opposite bank can hardly restrain the judgment of “flimsy” as he view’s the upper portion of the wall, and the general impression from an inspection of the wall as a whole, is that it lacked the strength which so great a strain demanded.THE RESLRVOIR— ORIGIN OF THE CATASTROPHE—CONDITION of the ruins.A representative of the Springfield Republicanmade a careful study of the reservoir,of the origin of the disaster, and the condition of the ruins, in the course of which he had an interview with the man who first discovered the trouble. His report is as follows : A little below the reservoir on the western bank, hut out of range of the flood, stands a small, dismal-lookmg dwelling in which lives the gatekeeper. This is George Cheney, a man of about 35, apparently an honest and well-meaning individual. of littie education and no more than ordinary intelligence. He has held the place nearly threeyears, his duty being to attend to the opening andshutting ol the gates, keep close watch of the condition ol the reservoir and report to his employers anything which seemed to demand attention. U has been his practice upon rising in the morning to go out and inspect the condition ol affairs. He went out as usual Saturday morning about 6 o’clock. Everything looked all ngbt. The reservoir was full, as it had been for several days. Water was flowing out the waste way on the west side past his house, the gateway having been cllt; 83d a fortnight. There was no sign of the impending catastrophe, and Cheney returned to his house. The family, including his wife, several children, and nis lather, sac down to breakfast. They were just finishing the meal when a great noise was heard, and the old man, who w.is standing at one of the eastern windows, excained: “ For God’s sake, George, look there!” About forty feet in length of the bottom oi the dam reservoir on the east side, just beyond trie gate, was shooting down stnam. Cheney seems to have realized the situation and thv*emergency at once. With a single eve to the discharge of his duty, and almost, as one would inter from hearing him tell the story, without stopping to consider the danger involved, he rushed dowm to the gate ami let on the water lull head, in the hope that this might possibly afford relief and avert the threatening danger. This done, he paused a moment to investigate the condition of the wrall where the break had taken place. A glance showed him that it could hardly tail, in a few minutes, to give way entirely. Streams of water as large as a man’s arm were forcing their way through, and new ones were appearing every moment; the wall was constantly crumbling away, and its utter downfall was evidently only a question of minutes.GEORGE CHENEY'S RIDE.Cheney rushed up to his house and told his father he was going to the village to warn the people; together they hurried to !he barn, a few rods below, and while Cheney was throwing a bridle upon his horse his father cut him a stick. Leaping on his horse’s back and plying vigorously his lash he rode at topmost speed down the rood that skirted the stream’s bank to Williamsburg, covering the three miles, he thinks, in fifteen minutes. It was then aK)ut halt-past 7 o’clock. Driving to the house of Mr .Spellman, who had geueial charge of the reservoir, he summoned that gentleman from the break-ast-table to startle him with “The reservoir is going.”It was but the night before that Cheney had been talking with him about the reservoir, and both had agreed that every thing looked all right for the sum mer. It is not‘strange, therefore, that Spellman could not at first credit the statement. He thought the man was a little “ scart ’’and to his startling communication replied. “ No! It can’t be possible,” but Cheney Quickly told him about the giving way of earth and the streams of water rushing through, and soon convinced him that the danger was most imminent. The first duty was to warn the people further down the stream. Cheney’s horse was exhausted, and Spellman directed him to go to the livery stable, where again precious moments were lost in convincing the incredulous proprietor that the messenger’s story could be true. Finally a horse was made ready, and a fresh man got off to notify the dwellers further down the stream.THE ILL-FATED RESERVOIRwas one of a system of dams and reservoirs, ow ned by a corpora t; on called “The Mill River and YVil liamsburg Reservoir Company,” w hich included all the manufacturing establishments on the line of Mill river, from Williamsburg to Northampton. It was situated on the “ cast branch” of Mill river, about three miles from the village of Williamsburg, aud in the northeastern corner of the latter town The stream which supplied it has its rise only about three miles above the reservoir, and after joining the “west branch ” at the village of Williamsburg, forms Mill river proper, which flows through Haydenville and Florence, and empties into the Connecticut at Northampton. The reservoir was constructed in the summer and Fall of 1865. though it was not filled and used till the following Spring. Emory B. Wells, of Northampton, and Joel Bassett, ol Faetbampton, were the contractors, and the cost was $35,600. A stone wall was first built, w hich was stipulated to rise from a width of eight feet at the hard pan to two feet at the top, which latter w as forty-two feet above the bed of the stream. This wall was contracted to be laid in the best known cement, and the projectors claimed would be as strong as a single shall ol granite. Enveloping this stone w all on either side was a mass of earth which sloped down on the w ater side at an angle of thirty degrees, and on the lower side at an angle of forty-five degrees. A lateral section oi tnis earthen support measured about 120 feet at tiie base, the greatermass of which was on the water side. At the centre ofthe Stream, enclosed in a stone wall running at right angles to the main wall of the reservoir, ran an iron tube of two feet diameter for controlling the flow of water, extending of course a few feet beyond this earthen wall. At both extremities of its bae, this wall of earth was 120 feet wide at the bottom, was sixteen feet across at the top. covering the crest of the stone w ill a depth of two feet in order to prevent danger fromfrost, and along its top furnished a good drive way. The water never rose quite to the crest of the darn, being kept about two feet below that line by means of a waste way at the western side. The reservoircovered an area of 111 acres, and its average depthw as Iw enty four feet,A WONDERFUL ESCAPE.Of thrilling incidents and interesting details there is absolutely no end. From a large mass collected byreporters of the Republican in the various villages,the following are selected as the most striking: A most wonderful rescue, and probably the only one of an adult peison from the flood itself at Leeds, was that of Mrs Mary C. Harding, sister of Miss 3Iaria Clark, oi this city. She was at work on the second floor of the silk factory when the alarm was given, and hardly had she reached the ground when the shout was- raised. “ Run across the bridge.” She started, leading the whole company, but soon the cries w ere of another sort, aud “ Come hack’’ and “Don’t go over” were sounded on every side. It was too late for Mrs Harding, though; she was on the bridge,and going back was as perilous as going forward. She ran as woman seldom ran before,’aud no sooner had she and perhaps half-a-dozen others readied the farther shore than that immense mass of debris struck the bridge, aud it went down with a crash, carrying with it six or seven girls and women, who were just a little too late. The woman kept on running for Ross’s store, and making, as she avers, “ pretty good time,” while her companions, who had crossed the bridge, entered the fated boarding-house. She passed the little gale near the bridge, and just got through the larger gate below the steps leading lo the store, when the water rushed up, (tarried off the gate and threw her down ne.tr thelower stair; luckil) twro men were on the bank and she w as drawn up, but not a moment too soon, for just then the steps went ofl and the three bad to seek safety higher up the shore. The escape trom the bridge, from the descending debris, from the chance of entering the house as her companions did. and from the water afterward, make Mrs Harding’s case a most marvellous one. She only of all the thirteen who started over the bridge was saved. It so happened that one ot her rescuers was Willie Swift, the lover of her room-mate, Mary Woodward, who was swept aw ay m the tide. Mrs Harding lost everything she had, her property being in the boarding-house, but thoroughly wet and somewhat bruised as she was, she went phirkily to work, spending most of the afternoon attending to the dead and the bereaved living, and starting at night with friendsfor this city#SAD SCENES.One of the saddest cases was that ol three French children, none of them over nine years old, who sat among the living and dead in Mr VVarner’s house at Leeds and told questioners that they had lost three sisters, a brother and their mother, but their father was safe and attending to some of the dead people ; but many well knew he was among the dead also, yet none had the heart to break the terrible news to the children. Two of tiie little ones have been adopted bv Mr Hillett, one of the overseers of the silk factory. Mr H. H. Tilton, of Williamsburg,was carrying Ins aged mother, widow’ Sarah II. Snow, to a place of safety, when the relentless waters seized them. She was carried away, while he grasped a tree about fifteen feet high, standing on a bank and was saved, though the waters reached and swayed him. Messrs Hannon and Rhoades, living in the same house, got across the streetinto another dwelling, the lower story of which was flooded, but some apple trees broke the force of the wave and the house stood. Three men.J. M. Stephenson and two new hands, whose names are not known, fearing the boarding-house in which they were with a number of others w ould give way, despite the entreaties of their associates, left it and climbed an apple tree near by. The latter fell undqf them and they were drowned, while those at the boarding-house remained unharmed. One man ventured upon the rool of tin* board mg-house, and though it crumbled under him he clung to it and savedhis life. John Atkins, foreman of the weaving room, died in saving the lives of his wife and two children.ANOTHER HERO.One of the heroes of the occasion is Collins Graves, a milkman, w ho was at the livery stable in Williamsburg where the gate-keeper, Cheney, was trying to get some one to spread the news below. “II the dam is breaking,” said Graves, after listening to Cheney’s fragmentary story, “ the folks must know it.'’ and lashing his fleet horse into a run he dashed away toward Haydenville, shouting. “ Tue reservoir is right here; ’tis all you can do!’’ It was now quarter ot 8 and meanwhile Belcher and Cheney had rung the bell of the Congregational church to further warn the village folks. On wenthorse and driver spreading the alarm, shouting all ibe way. lie made directly for the manufacturing establishments, for said he, “The people could hear it, but the roar of the factories would drown any warning for the operatives.” At Skinnersville the pair were five minutes ahead of the coming torrent, but at Haydenville they had but two minuiesin w hich to spread the glanu. Here the famous ride, which will be suiiir in story and told to the credit ot Collms Graves around the firesides of VV illiamsburg forever as the-salvation of many hundred lives, ended at the hotel. The horse and rider were both exhausted, and here another herald took up the tidings. Graves could hear rHe thunder of the corning flood, but not fully appreciating its extent he turned to go back toward Williamsburg. At the “Dugway” the disaster which he had predicted burst upon his sight and be had just time to turn ofl’ into a bank near Capt, Kinsley's when it crashed past him.^ was not twenty seconds too soon, and as it was he had almost despaired of reaching a place of safety and had thought of abandoning his tired teed to its fate. Graves, by the way, is a Williamsburg boy, and has a pleasant home on the hill, out of all danger of floods.ANOTHER LOOK AT THE RESERVOIR.The scene at the ruins of the reservoir is thus described by a reporter of the Republican: Allthrough the centre nothing remains of the high wall of stone and earth which rose to a height of forty feet m the bed of the stream save the stone work running at right angles with the dam at the bottom, w hich includes the gateway. In the very bed of the stream nothing is left, and where the water now flows harmlessly along its ancient channel not a stone remains from top to bottom. A small portion of the eastern part of the reservoir and larger section of the western still remains. In all, perhaps a sixth of the original extent is broken and jagged on the edges. Above the eye sweeps over the bed of the leservoira tract of 111 acres, covering the southeasterly corner of the town of Williamsburg, near the Conway line. This land, nestled in among the bills, is for the greater part tolerably level, sloping of course more or less on every side and dotted over a large part ot its surface with stumps of trees that formerly occupied it. Below the reservoir ihe sight is most impressive. The vast mass of water suddenly let loose and dashing dow n the narrow valley has wrought such devastation as one would not have believed possible without having seen if. The very bed of the stream has been cut in Diaces manv feet below the original course, and for a long distance the valley is dotted, sometimes ( lammed, w ith huge rocks torn from the wall of the reservoir: while the trees that in many places lined us bank have quite vanished, and those that marked the outer edge of the torrent are all tattered and torn, indeed as one stands on the remaining wall of the reservoir and looks about the scene is most desolate and impressive.PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPES.Mr Dunning, of Leeds, after floating nearly a mileon a pile of debris, gained a tree-top and was*saved, as was also Thomas Keunssey, after being carried nearly two miles by the flood. A young French child was found safe asleep on abed in a wrecked house, in attempting to escape from which the remainder of the family perished.RELIEFrThe citizens of Williamsburg held a town meeting Saturday evening and appointed a committee to raise subscriptions, look after the destitute and organize to search lor the missing. Northampton and adjoining towns have been sending in supplies of food, clothing and money since the disaster, and contributions w ere taken up for the sufferers in the churches throughout Western Massachusetts. The collections in the churches of Springfield amounted to about $2000, and subscription papers will swell this amount to about $5i 00. All the large towns and cities are organizing relief measures.FUNERAL OF NINE VICTIMS.funeral of nine victims of the disaster took in front of the Congregational church atWilliamsburg about 3 o’clock this afternoon. Seatswere arranged in the yard, and the presiding ministers had chairs on the steps, and the premises about were crowded w ith clergymen from the surrounding towns, who conducted the services.GOV. TALBOThas been in Northampton since Thursday, having come from Boston to attend the memorial services ofhis father-in-law, ex-Lieut, Gov. Hayden, which were to have taken place in tiie Congregational ( hurcn at Haydenville yesterday. He was among the first on the scene of the disaster Saturday.AID FROM NEW HAVEN.New Haven, Conn., 31 ay 17.—The people of this citv have been much excited by the news ol the flood disaster at Williamsburg, and much sympathy has been developed. As soon as it was announced Mayor Lewis sent a message offering assistance, which has been answered and aid will be sent, contributions for the sufferers were taken' in the churches to-day, one church giving $450.FIRE RECORD.IN ROCKLAND. MAINE.ROCKLAND. ME., May 17. — A fire broke out a few minutes past 12 o’clock last night in 3Iy itie neai Main street, in a building of small value used as a carpenter shop, which was destroyed with its contents. The fire thence communicated to a two-story wooden building on Main street, occupied as a store by White A Case, and as a dwelling above, which was almost totally destroyed. Most of White A Case's stock was saved in a damaged condition; also most of the furniture from the dwelling. Loss on building probably $1600; insured for $1200. Loss on stock not ascertained, but is covered by m-urance. Two small shops adjoining also caught tire, Ihe origin of the fire is unknown.IN BLOOMFIELD. VERMONT—TWO CHILDRENBURNED TO DEATH.GRAVETON. N.H., May 16.-The dwell? ng-house and barns of Wallace Stevens, in Bloomfield, v t., w'ere burned at a little past noon yesterday, iwo adopted children of Mr Stevens, aged 3 and 5 respectively, w'ere asleep in the room where the fire originated and perished in the flames. -Mrs Stevens was the only person, beside the children, in the house at the time. Hearing one of them cry out she opened the door to the stairway, but was met by the smoke and flames and compelled to fnirn back. t*our oxen, two horses and two hogs were burned in the barn9. Loss about $2500; small insurance.IN BANGOR, MAIXK.Bangor, 31 e.. May 17.-Two stores on Mercantile souare were gutted bv tire this morning. ( ne was owned by Blnke; loss, $3000; insurance, $2000. It was occupied by E. M. Blackwell as a saloon, loss, $2000; insured, $1400, The other was ownedbv the heirs of Cyrus Emery: loss, “I?11™*1*$300. It was occupied by D. h. *1 field Co.grocers; loss, $1500; insured, $1*200,Theplace
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Boston Post
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Mon, May 18, 1874
Page 2
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Lenox L.
MA, USA 12 May 2023
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