Ligonier Valley Rail Road Newspaper Articles
We have compiled over 1,400 newspaper articles that mention the Ligonier Valley Railroad, or related subjects. The articles were originally published starting in 1873 and our collection runs through 1995. Enjoy!
Latrobe Advance
Wednesday, August 22, 1888
The Flood!
An Incessant Rain Causes the Loyalhanna to Overflow
Damage Done By The Water
Chambers' Historic Mill Dam Washed Away
The Greatest Flood For Years
How the Lower Portions of Latrobe Fared and the Condition of Affairs Along the Ligonier Valley Railroad
Latrobe has been visited by a flood.
In the early hours of yesterday, Tuesday, morning, rain commenced falling and from the looks of the heavens it was predicted that it would be a settled rain likely to continue for some time. After events proved this prediction correct. The down-pour continued steady and incessant throughout the entire day and the streets, gutters and in very many places the pavements, were covered with an angry, rushing flood of dirty water. The rainfall closed some time after 10 o'clock Tuesday night. This vast amount of water soon caused the Loyalhanna creek to assume greater proportions.
In a very little while it was bank full, the rain still falling and the water still rising. The lowlands along the creek were rapidly covered and in a short time the surging waters exceeded those of an ordinary flood. Beyond a curiosity to see it, no special thought was given the flood until it was made known that great piles of lumber of O'Brien & Toner's planning mill were in danger of being swept away. These were made a secure as possible with ropes by our citizens who worked manfully. The water continued to rise very rapidly and flat portions of Latrobe below the railroad were covered.
In a great many instance occupant of houses were driven to the second story where they insisted on remaining thinking that the water would soon subside. Still it continued to get higher and between 12 and 1 o'clock at night these persons, scared almost to death, were taken from their dangerous surroundings. Only two boats were available for this purpose; a great many were taken out in wagons while others, where the boats could not be waited upon, were carried out on chairs, etc., by persons wading and swimming.
Policeman Cannon was one of the first to discover the serious condition of affairs and did heroic service. He was ably seconded by M. J. Madigan and Bert Geiger, of the Advance force. These gentlemen boldly waded and swam to where assistance was needed, and notwithstanding the coldness of the water and chilliness of the atmosphere, took children and women of all ages and conditions, to places of safety.
The flood coming so sudden and unexpected, caused a great deal of destruction. Besides flooding cellars and washing away outbuildings innumerable, gardens and growing crops have been destroyed. The middle portion of the dam across the Loyalhanna at the historic Chambers mill seat, was torn out and washed away by the angry floods. Whether it will be rebuilt or not we are unable to say at the present wring.
Along The L.V.R.R.
The train over the Ligonier Valley Railroad left Latrobe about 7 oclock last evening and on account of the flood did not reach Ligonier until this (Wednesday) morning. A short distance beyond Bell's station they ran through water that touched the second step of the passenger cars. They reached a high piece of track just this side of Mill Creek, and, thinking the bridge might be unsafe, left the train stand there until morning. Had they crossed the creek the station could not have been reached on account of the entire railroad yard at Ligonier being flooded.
The water continued to raise until about 1 o'clock, a. m., and when at its highest the tracks of the Ligonier Valley Railroad were covered from near Long Bridge southward to Ligonier, with the exception of two or three small high points.
The water also covered the tracks at one point near the old blue stone quarry just south of Kingston station.
At Idlewild Parks the water covered the railroad tracks, took away the foot bridge and floated one building that stood near the cottage into the adjoining field. Considering the heighth of the water the damage at this point is exceedingly light. At Baker's station a large sleeping house, used by the men employed in the quarries, was moved a considerable distance down the stream, but does not appear to be materially damaged. This is the greatest flood the Valley has known for years. The Ligonier Valley Railroad, although inconvenienced, did not suffer greatly.