The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-05-03

A Liquid .8raianche. Hamilton Madison, Co.
N. Y y Palladium Of the 25th contains the follow
ing vivid account Of the breaking away Of Canal
Reservoir in that county on the oath ult:
n Leaky Reserpoir.-The Lebanon Reservoir, one
of the costly structures devised for the purpose OF
treasuring water in the vicinity Of the summit level
of the Chenango Canal, about four miles from this
village, broke down portion Of its bank which was
supposed TO be as ndestructible the everlasting
bills, Monday last, and the havoc and destruction
which the mighty torrent made in its all conquerine
course, can only be imagined by those who have
taken a view of the stupenduous ruins.
| We have seldom if ever any thing that filled
our mind with such magnificent conceptions of power
The torrent rushed with inconceivable impetuosty
into the narrow and deep ravine through which the
stream passes, uproo ing of all sizes up TO two
feet in diameter, and forcing them along with the
current gu lilyng the rugged banks OF the ravlne
and absolutely quarryng hundreds Of solid perches OF
stones and carrying them from half mile to mile
and depositDg them upon the rich and fertile mea-
dows below. Several acres Of woodland were swept
entirely clean, taking of not only the trees, but the
entire surface down 10 the solid rock Two or three
saw-mills were swept away SO clean, that not YES
ge of amy thing is left to mark the place where they
stood.
These trees and rubbish, together with the stones
quarred out Of the sides of the ravne, deposited
IN immense masses and heaps upon the beautiful
meadows bord ring on the Chenango river, rendering
desolae and dreary som 100 TO $50 Of the <ar
est portion Of that delightful valley There is one
portion OF from 10 acres OF kngsly's meadow that
is perfectly covered, from one To four or five feet
deep, with stones and gravel and appears TO TO be
entirely ruined while the balance of the meadow
that received the deposites of gravel trees, and rub
Dish, is materially mjure dies the great labor OF
clearing it up.
To give some idea Of The power of this avalanche
of water, we would men ion that we observed q
boulder OF granite, in the mndst Of a great field
OF stone upon the meadow, the weight Of which
IS estimated at not less than ten tons, that could
not have been picked up within half mile of its
present resting place. People residing in the
ncighborhood describe the trembling Of the earth
to have been like that produced by AN earth
quake. large stone house, Mr.. A. Campbell's,
standing at considerable distance from the course
OF the enraged element, ad TO have exhibited de-
cided symptoms Of ague. We cannot, perhaps, give
better idea # the grandeur and magnifcence of
the scene, Than was given by gentleman who re-
sides in the neighborhood and Witnessed it.. On be-
ing asked how 1t affected him. he answered, that ii
made him feel as though he was not more than SIX
inches high, and withal very lean
The damage 10 individuals is very considerable
we presume not less than 4 or S5,000-the greater
portion of which believe, Is sustained by the
kingsleys and Mr. A. Campbell. The damage 10 the
State would be very great if this reservoir need
water for the canal from the other reservoirs, and
that this structure useless expenditure in the
first place, and probably will not be repaired