18 Feb 1891
Page 1
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Newspaper
Pittsburgh Dispatch
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Feb 18, 1891
Page
1
Terrifying flood drenches Pittsburgh and Allegheny as the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers surge beyond prior records. Streets flood, homes evacuated, and workers move goods to upper floors while residents seek shelter with neighbors. Trains, streetcars, and wagons struggle amid wreckage and rising waters.
The report notes limited structural damage aside from two gas explosions in Allegheny and one on Pike street. Rain persisted steadily, clearing by noon, then resumed heavy showers in the evening and night, affecting the city with intermittent downpours.
A flood devastates Allegheny with about 1,500 families surrounded by eight to two feet of water and starved for food or fuel. Flooded areas include Anderson street to Lacock and Monument Hill, houses and mills evacuated, and the Port Foundry and First Ward yards submerged. Fire district pumps struggle as waterlines rise threatening additional outages and the World’s Museum auditorium floods. A rescuer pulls a man from a floating railroad car at the Seventh Street bridge.
Residents of Johnstown adapt to flood aftermath as water levels recede. Reports describe inundated streets and property loss from multiple angles, with locals assessing damage and recovery needs amid continued weather concerns.
The B and O and Pennsylvania railways were in fair shape, with a land slide at Brooks tunnel blocking a Washington through train for seven hours. A severe slide at West Newton threatens fresh debris as hillside collapses recur. passenger trains are run around slides and full clearance may take a week. Serious flooding near Johnstown inundates Cambria City and river towns. three railroad tracks wash away along the Allegheny line and delays extend up to two hours.
Police escorted crowds to bridges after a false alarm about railroad property danger. The waters subsided by evening and watchers, mainly the same dozen residents, bunked with friends for another night before returning home.
Water inundates Duquesne Way and surrounding Penn Avenue area as cellars flood and residents seek refuge on upper floors. The rising tide forces many to relocate belongings to vacant houses while live stock suffers hardship amid the inundation.
Residents in the Point district faced widespread waterlogging with boats used as transport while floodwaters covered streets and the Exposition building, leaving the area cut off from dry land and prompting a dire, unsteady retreat as residents searched for refuge.
After a flood on Robinson Street Ferry waters recede at night with remaining floodwaters subsiding. The event was dramatic and destructive but caused no loss of life.
The Ohio River rise floods Chartiers Creek towns causing four feet of water on streets and widespread damage. Merchants lose cellars, rail and road services disrupted, bridges wash out, wires and poles down, 300 to 600 workers homeless as East Mansfield halts traffic and relief work slows.
Special telegram reports Rochester Pennsylvania facing 87 feet of water at 100, rising four inches per hour, approaching the historic flood mark. The narrative notes the flood nearly reaches the great flood stage, underscoring rapid water advance and ongoing danger.
Fragmentary report notes firms damaged and losses described as great. Mentions machinery, barns, and rising work disruption with unspecified figures and dates. The readable items point to economic impact and production setbacks in a rural or industrial community.
Williamsport reports rising Susquehanna water with nine to twelve feet recorded upstream and predictions of higher levels. River-side residents strengthen defenses as crews work the boom and railroad workers prepare engines and cars, fearing a flood up to 20 feet.
High waters are subsiding but several rail lines remain disrupted. The Baltimore and Ohio repairs at Elm Grove and Alexander are underway, while the narrow gauge line between Washington and Waynesburg is severely damaged with track slipping and trains suspended. Work crews expect several days to restore service as oil belt shut downs are reported.
Heavy rains push Beaver River to 1864 highs washing out water works and pumps. Mills relying on city water shut down while residents move goods to higher ground as Fallston and Rochester areas face rising floodwaters.
Special telegram from McKeesport reports major slides on the McKeesport and Belle Vernon road stopping all trains. The Baltimore and Ohio line and the Pittsburg Morport and Youghingheny traffic are halted above West Newton. A thousand yard slide above here is the largest in years at Brooks Landing and will delay east and west trains for some time.
The town of Freepoort Pa reports the lower area from below Fourth street flooded. at 9 PM the river channel holds 52 feet of water and rising five inches hourly. Business and distillery operations halt as water reaches pumps and threatens foundations. cattle displacement feared as flood rivals 1805 levels.
A telegram from Reynoldsville reports water higher than since June 1889 with a large jam at Falls Creek six miles above town. Rising water threatens property as people move supplies. the R F Co railroad track at Falls Creek is washed out and no trams are operating.
A disastrous flood floods Bittanning to the second story and leaves Ford City nearly submerged. Isabella Young, six, of Donegal township, drowned after falling from a foot bridge. her body found downstream.
A steamer on the Cincinnati and New Orleans route struck a bridge pier near the Chesapeake and Ohio line and wrecked. Two members of G F McCleane Moorhead and McCleane were killed, including Mrs Cleane and her granddaughter Brown, with many others reported saved or missing along the river.
Mrs. McCleane aged fifty two or so, daughter of the late Maryland Governor Dewey, and a Pittsburg social leader, died during a health tour begun with her husband Mr. McCleane their granddaughter and a daughter of Stewart Brown of Brown & Co. The trip aimed to restore Mr. McCleane’s health after his intensive business duties.
The Ohio River at Wheeling rose to 4 feet 2 inches with forecasts of a 43 foot peak and rumors of 45 feet. Merchants move goods above the line as streets flood, boats collide with piers, and several lives narrowly escape drowning while rail traffic is disrupted.
In a major rainfall, towns report widespread flooding and evacuations. The Big Sandy in Kentucky and rivers including the Allegheny Ohio and Beaver rise to record levels with many lowland areas submerged. Bridges wash away and timber losses reach substantial amounts.
The Moyer mine burns fiercely as rescuers battle flames. Three men are dead and three foreigners are reported missing. Pinkerton guards patrol the scene while investigators entertain theories blaming strikers or a lamp ignition.
The American Loan and Trust Company faced a diminished run with about $1,000,000 still due depositors. Small accounts were paid on demand while large withdrawals were deferred for a few hours. Examiner Preston stated books and securities align and the bank appears able to meet all engagements in full.
A special telegram reports the Wheeling and Lake Erie line east of Bowerston abandoned as washouts prevent trains from meeting. The Cleveland and Lorain line near Richville is washed out for a mile and power lines are down. The Tuscarawas River rose rapidly, endangering nearby homes.
A ammonia tank at an ice factory in Suffolk Virginia exploded killing superintendent Thomas Bb Bald win and seriously injuring two colored men. The factory owned by eease and M F Lloyd Co is a complete wreck.
Glap De Toris recovers from Monday night indisposition. Belgium workmen plan a universal strike over lack of universal suffrage. Coust Von Taare Austria prime minister suffers lung inflammation. Australian union wool shearers threaten dip if non union men are posted. Prussian Council of Ministers decides against prosecuting Bismarck. Brussels Workmen Council invites Socialist groups to an international congress in August. Death of Baron Haovsen in London, noted Austrian Greek architect who designed Vienna’s Athene Academy and Parliament. It was not Count Schoarralof who warned Bismarck. Duke Ernest did three weeks ago.
A brief snowbound entry notes a gorge near Sonmnecrapy New York with a ten hour rise at night as treetops indicate the nearby islands. The fragment hints at a river or gorge feature observed during a cold February night.
Telegraph dispatch from Zanesville reports the Muskingum River rising 15 feet with ongoing surge threatening bridges and floodlines. City officials warn more evacuations as floodwaters advance, endangering residences and transport routes along the river.
Flood chaos in Allegheny followed by two catastrophic gas explosions injuring eleven people. Three houses were destroyed and five families left homeless. One blast struck B T Hubbard at Lacock street last night. another hit Samuel and William Haslett on River Avenue at 9:30 this morning. The first blast showed no fire before or after, adding mystery amid the widespread destruction. Thousands gathered to Lacock as residents recall the event. The Hubbard house fronts crumpled after the explosion near 179 and 181 Lacock.
James Fletcher, thirty, head injury and internal damage. McLaughlin with head cut. Hazlett with scalp wounds. Samuel Hazl? knocked. Eliza Whits bruised with bad head cuts. all seven occupants sustained injuries. recovery uncertain. continued on FYI Page.
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