South Deerfield’s contribution the the Mill River flood relief fund was typical of the generosity shown by villages near the disaster-stricken region. Financial contributions totaled $93,000, while goods of all kinds, such as blankets, clothing, and food easily surpassed that. In the 19th century, charitable contributions were the main source of aid after a disaster. When the Williamsburg, Massachusetts, reservoir dam broke on May 16, 1874, it flooded a valley lined with factories and farms, killing 139 and leaving 740 homeless and in need of relief. It was the deadliest dam failure in the U.S. at the time.
Greenfield Gazette and Courier. “South Deerfield article from Gazette and Courier newspaper.” June 18, 1874. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/l05-010/. Accessed on October 16, 2024.
Please note: Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.