CABLEGRAMS. THE FLOODS IN AMERICA MOST APPALLING SCENES. FEARFUL LOSS OP LIFE AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. WHOLE TOWNS SWEPT AWAY. New York, June 3.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 374, 5 June 1889, Page 2

CABLEGRAMS.

THE FLOODS IN AMERICA MOST APPALLING SCENES. FEARFUL LOSS OP LIFE AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. WHOLE TOWNS SWEPT AWAY. New York, June 3.

Ir appears that tho residents of Johnstown were warned to take refuge in tho highlands, but took no hee«l of it, and whilst they were still laughing at the warning the danger became apparent, ami immediately they were overwhelmed ;by the floods, One hundred houses toppled over from their foundations, and ; floated away with the floods. The sc?ne i was a dreadful one, tho floating houses ; dashing together through thu force of the waters, on til they were destroyed, while 1 meantime tho imprisoned inmates were shrieking for help. The dnmage done is something enormous and cannot easily be calculated ; it is, however, estimated that it will amount to twenty-five million •dollars. The towns of Southwark, Mineral Point, Covenrnangh, Woodville, Cambria City, Morerillp, and Sheridan have been destroyed, and scarcely a building stands in any of these places, and the former residents are nearly a)l drowned, For a distance of twelve nules around Johnstown every twin and village has been wholly destroyed,, while the railways and telegraphs for many miles have been swept away and the houses destroyed. , The scenes in the neighbourhood are of a perfectly appalling character. The floods atComuuangh are now receding, and the weather is clearing, and every river U drawing the waters off. At Vlleghnriers t'.ie storms are ranging and it is still rain in if in torrents. Many j collieries are flooded. Energetic measures for relief are being organised. Twotrams- on the Pennsylvania railway were swept away and the passengers drowned. At Johnstown piles of debris crowded with refugees were fired almost every few minutes, while floating horses, crowded with victims, were dashing constantly into the flames, carrying the victims to a frightful death. The milway officials compute fnlly- 1,500 people have been roasted to death in carnages on the various lines of railway