Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-01-22
From the poylestown Democrat.
Destructive Freshet.

ware, Oh the evenings of Thursday and Friday,
and continuing at lis height the greater part OF
Saturday. The large bridge erected across the
river at Reiglesville is entirely swept away,
By the undermining of the abutment en- the
Jersey side, one half of the Centre Bridge at
! Mitchell's old Ferry, went down, and In It's
course, struck and carried off one hall OF the
New Hope Bridge--the entire Bridge at Tay-
lorsvile, and one half ofthe Iardleyvllle Bridge.
! The only Bridges remaining on the Delaware
are those at Trenton, Easton and Belvidere---
the latter much injured. During the whole
time the river was filled with houses barns,
sheds, out-buldings, canal and coal boats, lum-
Der of every description, logs and tmber---va-
rious articles of household goods and kitchen
furniture, family cradles, and even coffin was
seen going down. The dead bodies of horses,
cattle, hogs, sheep and poultry. Many valu-
able buildings on both sides of the river have
been undermined, and entirely ruined Hun
dreds of families abandoned their dwellings in
time to save their lives, but such was the rapid
rise of the water, that all their clothing and
goods were either swept away or destroyed
1t is supposed that the Delaware Division Of
the Pennsylvania Canal, has sustained very Sc
rious damage by the washing away of the banks
The water wheels at Wells Falls have been
carried off---and the several acqueducts either
carried off, or very much damaged
There has been great destruction of private
property, and particularly among the lumber
merchants. Among them are Coryell & Muir
ray, Kenderdne & Thomas, Newton Treichler,
and others. At New Hope, Thomas mill was
partly inundated, and Parry q Britain, and
II, n. Beaumonts store cellars were filled with
water, destroying and damaging large guam
tlty OF pork and groceries Extensive damage
was sustained at Point Pleasant KintnerSviIIe,
Monroe, and at other points on the river,
We have heard the damages estimated along
the river from Morrisville to Easton at upwards
of FiUe Hundred Thousand Dollars, to the state,
companies and individuals. In many places
the bed of the road running parallel with the
river and canal, has been swept away.
No lives fortunately were lost that we have
heard of, but George B. Fell, merchant at Cen
tire Bridge, had most providcntial escape.
He was standing on that portion of the Centre
Bridge which was undermined and went down
the river, but was so fortunate as TO regain po-
sition on the fabric above the water. Aware
work TO make a platform of floating timber,
separate from the part he occupied. In the
mean time, his nephew and neighbors mounted
on horses, and went down the river to give the
alarm and procure assistance. At New Hope,
4 miles below, he was seen approaching the
Bridge, on his frai bark, few yards in ad-
vance of the arch of the other bridge. Mr.. Hi
ram Scarborough, and another individual, whose
name we have not learned, at the imminent
peril of their lives, left the Pennsylvania shore
in boat 10 assist Mr.. Fell, but such was the
rapldlty OF the cnrrent that it was of no avail,
and all passed under the bridge togetherNlr.
Fell lying flat down and feet foremost. and Mr..
Scarborough and his companion also and land
ed on the Jersey shore, without being able to
afford any succour to Mr.. Fell The striking
and concussion of the Centre Bridge carried of
nearly one half the New Hope Bridge. Mr..
Fell rose, and called for help, and many Of his
friends continued on down the river, watching
anxlously for an opportunity TO assist him. He
passed through Wells Falls, and continued on
until he began to approach near to the TayIors-
vile Bridge, being still in advance Of the float
ing bridge. He discovered that the water was
up 10 the frame work of the bridge, and gave
up for lost; he laid himself fiat down, and for
tunately, just as he came TO the bridge, he was
forced under by the current, and came up on
the lower side without receiving any injury.
He then continued going rapidly down the
stream, until he came to the Bridge at Yard
leyvile, where we learn, by the daring lntre
pidty Of young man by the name Of Nchol-
son, he was rescued, by getting into boat;
and brought safely to shore on the Jersey side.
lie was somewhat bruised, but returned back
the same evening to LambertviIle, and his safe
ty was announced to his anxious family and
relatives and friends, by the blowing
of horns and firing of cannon, as the water was
too high for any communication by crossing
with boats The escape in passing under SO
many bridges, with the water running SO near
TO the wood work, and surrounded on every
side by large masses of ice driving in every
direction was truly remarkable.
BY the stage we learn, that the destruction
at Easton, and from the mouth of the Lehigh
upwards, is of most destructive character
The large bridges across that stream at Eas-
ton, Jaretl's, Bethlehem, Allentown and near