The damage wrought by the recent flood appears to be much
greater in many individual cases than some of the estimates first
given. The business men of this section lost heavily and after having
taken a careful inventory of their stock are able to figure their
approximate losses.
While nobody has been completely put out of business the losses
are in many cases severly felt and the good spirit shown by those
whose interests were damaged and the spirit of cheerfulness with
which many refer to their losses is indicative of the splendid innate
courage of the people which is apparently strengthened by this
additional catastrophe.
The two heaviest losers by the flood are the Boston Blacking
Company and the Eastern Carbonic Gas and Acid Company on West Third
Street. They estimate that they were damaged to the extent of $20,000
each, the latter firm losing two compressors, valued at $6,000. In
addition their fires were put out of commission, their buildings
damaged, their pumps rendered useless and a large quantity of calcite
and other material ruined. Peter F. Tague, the superintendent, says
it will be at least a month before they are able to begin work.
The Boston Blacking Company had two large naphtha tanks blown up,
and the machinery and a large quanity of cement were badly damaged.
They also will be unable to resume business within a month.
One of those who feels his loss severly is Benjamin Shure of 263
Second Street. He has been 26 years in this country and loses nearly
everything. His house is condemned, his stables and sheds practically
ruined and his henhouse overturned. He lost his horses and wagon, and
his piano and furniture are worthless. He estimates his loss at
$5000, at the least.
S. Feinberg of 211 Second Street has a loss to the extent of
$10,000. The loss consists of three houses and a barn. The barn at
231 Second Street is condemned and the wall of the house at 213
Second Street has been undermined. The furniture in the houses are a
total loss.
Abraham Lipson with his 8 children received a severe blow. One of
the children is suffering with diphtheria while two others are
confined with a touch of the grippe. They are all separated, staying
with friends in nearby cities. His former house at 205 Second Street
has been condemned and his furniture is ruined. In addition to this
his barn and two shops are badly damaged. His loss is $6,000.
Forster & Wolf, dealers in woolen rags, of Pittsburg, PA., are
losers to the extent of $10,000. They had a large quanity of woolen
goods stored at 95 Auburn Street.
Rosenberg Brothers, located at the corner of Auburn and Maple
Streets sustained a loss not less than $5,000 for goods stored in
their basement.
The loss to M. Salter & Son, 67-75 Spruce Street, will not. in
all probability, exceed $1,000. Though much of their stock received a
thorough wetting according to a member of the firm, it can be
carbonized so that the loss will not be severe.
Special Police Officer H. Goldstein suffered severly, his house at
230 Second Street and the shop and stable in the rear being badly
damaged. About four tons of hemp, valued at 5 cents a pound, was
soaked by the water. He estimates his loss at $3,500.
There are many cases where individuals have been helped by the
relief committee, where the suffering and destitution are pitable and
while it is not deemed expedient to print names, the following is an
example: A certain man had his leg broken the day of the flood and
had been unable to seek much needed relief. Upon hearing of the case
Commissioner George H. Dunham visited the man and relieved his
immediate wants at once.
Mrs. Bessie Armstein of 235 Second Street sustained damage to her
property consisting of a stable and a shed. Her henhouse was
destroyed and all her poultry were drowned. Her loss was $2,000.
There are from 10 to 15 houses and barns that have been weaked as
a result of the flood, although they were not in good condition
previous to the flood, and these have been condemned by Inspector of
Buildings Frank Weymouth.
The firm of Cutler & Speck at 181-193 Second Street sustained
a loss of $3,500.
S. Brimberg of 193 Second Street had his house and barn damaged to
the extent of $1,000.
The storehouse of Jacob Barger at 243-244-265 Second Street and
another on Carter Street contained goods, the wetting of which caused
a loss of $3,000.
Samuel Weiner sustained a loss of $1,100 to his house and shop,
the former at 236 Second Street, the latter at 204 Maple Street.
John J. Lawlor, whose residence is situated at the corner of
Auburn and Maple Streets, estimates his loss at $1,500.
M. Lourie, proprietor of a small blacksmith shop at 217 Second
Street lost about $300.
The stock of J. Gordon at 85-87 Auburn Street was damaged to the
extent of $500.
The W. A. Snow Iron Works on West Third Street was forced to
suspend operations for a week. Their loss is about $1,500.
The United States Paper Stock Company at 202 Second Street
sustained a loss of $1,200 due to the wetting of their goods.
Gordon & Goose, dealers in cotton rags at 87 Summer Street
suffered damage to the amount of $1,500.
D. Narwitz, hay and grain dealers at 162 Second Street had a
quanity of hay stored at 177 Second Street which was damaged to the
extent of $400.
David Fisher, cotton and woolen rag dealer at 81 Summer Street was
damaged to the amount of $1,000.
Cutler & Brickman, dealers in burlap on Second Street, lost
$1,500 as a result of the soaking of their stock.
The Colonial Bed Company at 289 Second Street was damaged about $1,500.
The loss to S. Rubin and sons whose places of business are located
at 95 West Third Street, 85-87 Vale Street, 51 Elm Street, and 78
Summer Street is estimated to be $5,000.
The New England Furnishing Company at 86 Spruce Streetlost $2,000.
Damage to stock, $1,000; machinery $500; Building, $500.
J. Lipsitz, 151 West Third Street, estimates his loss at $4,500.
M. Soway, dealer in bottles, at 270 Second Street, figures his
loss at $8,000. If the building is damaged it may amount to a larger sum.
E. Kosnof, who conducts a grocery business at 266 Second Street,
estimates his loss at $1,100.