o
the valley in which the two villages, with a total population of about
four thousand five hundred, are located.

[Illustration: MAP SHOWING DANGEROUS RESERVOIRS IN OHIO]

AKRON

The big state reservoir three miles south of Akron, which supplies water
for the Ohio Canal, broke Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock, sending a
flood of millions of gallons of water which swept away farmhouses and
other buildings from the banks of the canal and damaged several million
dollars' worth of property.

The huge volume of water which had been gathering in the three
hundred-acre reservoir caused a report that there was danger of the
concrete walls bursting. Most of those living near the canal sought
refuge in Akron.

When the heavy rain continued over night the dam began to show signs of
wear. Cracks in the concrete appeared. All during the night horses were
kept saddled to carry the news ahead if the danger became imminent. When
the masonry showed flaws Thursday morning the riders were sent out. They
started several hours before the dam collapsed, and warned everybody
near the canal in time for them to escape. The rush of water from the
broken dam struck the city within a few minutes after the break.

Most of the bridges in the county were swept away. The city was in total
darkness at night, and telephone and telegraph connections were
destroyed. A few bodies were seen floating down the canal. Many houses
were swept away.

MASSILON, FREMONT AND TIFFIN

At Massilon five known dead, three thousand homeless, half the town
inundated and heavy property damage was the toll of flood water from the
Tuscarawas River. The town was without light and gas. Citizens raised
$11,000 to aid the sufferers.

The effect of the flood at Fremont was very severe. The water in Main
Street was fifteen feet deep. Wires were down and buildings collapsed.
Several lives were lost.

Death and intense suffering marked the great flood which swept clean the
Sandusky valley. Tiffin became a city of desolation. Every bridge went
down, and half the city was under water. Many were carried to death in
the treacherous currents.

CHAPTER XII

THE FLOOD IN EASTERN OHIO

MOUNT VERNON HARD HIT--MILLERSBURG CUT OFF--THE TUSCARAWAS
RIVER--COSHOCTON IN DISTRESS--ENTIRE CITY OF ZANESVILLE UNDER
WATER--MARIETTA FLOODED--SCIOTO RIVER AT CIRCLEVILLE--STRUGGLES OF
CHILLICOTHE--FLOOD AND FIRE IN PORTSMOUTH--HOMELESS IN EAST
LIVERPOOL AND WELLSVILL