The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-02
DAMAGE ON THE HARLEM ROAD.

DAMAGE ON THE HARLEM ROAD.
TRIP OF MAIL TRAIN YEsTERDAY-scENE AT WILL
Observation-Disclosures BRIDGES DAMAGED-AP-
PBARAHCE OF THE COUNTRY AFTER THE FLOOD
sUBsIDED--ALARM OF THE MILKMEN-EMPTY
TRAINS ON THE TRACK.
We despatched special reporter along the line Of the
Harlem Raiirosd yesterday order that he should OBJ
tain more full account Of the damage which done
by the late freshet to e track itself bridges over
which it passes and also the surrounding country
The ordinary mail train leis the CITY Hall at seven
O'Clock in the morning. under the charge of Mr. Kelly
At Harlem Melrose and Morrsania there Wa Nothing
particular to he observed in the appearance of the fe
owing to better system of drainage and cultivation
the rsnwater had entirely disappeared The thick slime
of mixed mud and sand which is deposited lands re-
Gently flooded could be opposite some houses built
in low situation.
AT Mott haven large building used as 'teel and
iron factory thrown down but it was said that TINS
was the result of the gale which Immediately preceded
the rain storm and not from any undersapfns OF the
vans W 'ne "e'' .~.-~ ~ a.S passengers, however,
maintained that the disaster produced ~ the rain
After passing Mott Haven, the approach the banks
OF the Bronx river was marked by collection OF
light plank, small trees garden shrubs pieces of fence
rail- and all the other deLris which
sua food The river which is naturally an insignificant
Wood ht, IL; rr,ys were lined 80 i9ss OF
parts
When the train arrived at wiausbrdge it was found
that owing TO the I'M Jury done 10 the abutments some
eight ten feet of the bridge had been completely taken
away in order TO insure the security of the entire About
one hundred men busily engaged in repairing
damages. The under piles injured and others
were in process OF preparation TO replace them Railroad
iron was being made ready Will view to lay the double
track and tradesmen busily work preparing to
lay suitable switch. In the meantime, the difficulty
was how to get the cham. On approaching it, Mr.
the engine was slowed and halted on the brink Of the
gull Planks were laid across to the firm rail- and all
the passengers walked over. 1t was curious
There were tmid young ladies, strong minded women
Temperance men and men just of Sunday spree halt
and active-and all seemed little afraid in ad-
venturing the feat. However, owing to the kind
assistance Of the conductor, Mr. Demarest and
other oachts Of the road all the passengers reached
the opposite side in safety The mail bags were next
hauled over and other cars with an engine benr pro
cured new train was made up and the journey recon-
menced The surrounding hin sides were furrowed into
deep trenches through which the flood had rolled to the
plain and the red sand swept from them was heaped up
to the very edge Of the track.
After passing Hunts Bridge between Fleetwood and
Bronxye trees were Frustrated every side large stones
had been rolled from the edges Of the land
and the Bronx river s greatly swollen Upon the left
hand side OF the track pretty high hill is capped with
an orchard fenced with stone Near the base of this
hill two very extensive Land slides had taken place and
large extent of garden fencing rolling in the water
which appeared TO be about 1--WE deep on some pas
ture fields The side of the rail track was filled with
brushwood. which had been carried down by the flood
This appearance Of the country prevailed up to the de-
pot ~ Bronxvle and continued far the eye could
reach on either side, from that spot.
The bridge at Scarsdale was completely shaken down
aud large land slides had occurred near to H. Passen
gers had 10 walk over this obstruction also.
Above Harris Corner several land slides we're obserya
pie and some very large trees had been uproocd and
swept into the stream.
At the White Plains station stood the train which Mr.
Demarest had TO abandon Saturday night lust in the
position in which IL loft To the left OF the the
road which crosses over to Tarrytown gradually sced
and passes through beautiful valley hlled with neat
houses. Most Of these buildings had been flooded 10 the
upper story and from one swept the rocking chair
and other furniture, which fastened in the branches Of
the trees in the reported in the HgRAID yester
day The moyables had been all taken indoors again
but even yesterday the people had very uncomfortable
quarters, as the lower floors covered with mud
The little bridge at hsHVlace demolished.
1he railroad bridge near to Fleasantylle complete
" demuf ed The solid masonry OF the piers and abut
nents could not resist the pressure OF the water and
huge pieces OF the stone work had been rolled into the
stream Inc banks on either side had given way and
= iesriui looking ehasm produced. Here |
the train had 10 halt third time and the |
mails were taken out and forwarded on n truck n
the village OF Pleasantve Mr. Camheld taking them In
charge Passengers who must continue their Journey
walked with them, but many accom- the cars back
to Unonye In order to return to New York and try TO
reach Albany by the boat.
At Unonville there was a tremen ious cop,mo
ton among the milk dealers Of New York Owing 1
TO the vast number Of small bridges which had been
swept away the persons BY whom the city traders are
supplied could not bring the milk and il appeared as
the ireshet had produced perfect hydroph0ba In the
article ior as the stream of water advanced the stream
Of milk receded notwithstanding the very cssse affinity
which was heretofore supposed to exist between them
gentleman OF this city, who supplies oycr two thou
-and quarts day there deyisng means In order 10
quickly serve MS customers whilst many lay around
and could not be moved.
II Is considered by many old persons along the route
that destructive frcshet has not occurred IN that
part OF the country for twenty years but IL very din