Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

121. the one ready to go out. Riveting hammers going everywhere filling the air with a staccato roar that was really not unpleasant- Acetylene torches in use, like the fitful flashing of heat–lightning only of an intense white glare shading out to pure opaque cobalt- the air dense with bluish smoke of the color of wood smoke- men prowling in pits & in the iron cylinders with torches- all men with goggles and some steel helmets like drivers use. Cranes going on three double tracks, carrying anything from a wheel to a full complete locomotive. At one end a contraption for heating the tire of the big engine wheels so it could be removed and a new one put on. The wheel surround by two circular pipes with perforations on the inside. Gas at high pressure forced thru and flames shot at the wheel. A spectacular sight, looking as [Jessup] of Fortune, said like the corona of the sun. When the “tire” is sufficiently heated it is hammered off by a workman.

Sketch all afternoon-

     By this time rumors of flood conditions are beginning to seep in, talk of this bridge being out, that road closed- of certain towns with 8-10-12 feet of water in some sections. Rain continues. Train service slops (sic) in evening – many people stranded in Altoona, many come to hotel. About 10 o’clock, the lights go out- the absolute dark outside & in, is profound, and frightening. It did not take much effort to imagine- now is the time to hear the roar of waters. They came on soon again, and that was [mainly] Altoona’s only inconvenience during the flood week.    

10^th Day – Wednesday (18^th)-

     News of disaster to many towns comes in – bulletins on local paper’s window. Denehey reports spending the night telephoning to his superiors and newspapers. Receives orders to go to Pittsburg (sic), where the worst flood of all