The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1862-01-16
THE GREAT CALIFORNIA FLOOD.
Hundreds of Cinnamon Drowned.

tutt Otates causing an iW neuee oeF''
ton of property.
The flood was caused BY heavy rains
which melted the snow in the mountains
by which the various streams we're rapid
ly swollen and rose to great hight. Al
Sacramento the levee OF the American
River first gave way, letting an I'M
volume of water in upon the eastern Sec
ton of the city. The tendency OF the
current was along the southern section of
the citJ-the R-street levee dampiuz il
up and preventing, its natural flow toward
Suttersile.
The streets 10 that quarter we're quick
1y filled by the advancing waters, which
moved so fast that the residents had
hardly time to realize their situation be
fore the foods we're upon them. Many
women and children we're be On med in by
the waters before they get away from
their homes, and bad 10 be removed by
neaps of horses, mules, wagons, &c. A.
early as o'clock in the morning, says
The Sacramento UIsi0R, tiere was a very
general movement among stock owuer-
and lively stable keepers TO drive cut OF
the city horses, mules, cattle, hogs, 60,
snd throughout the day large quantities
of stock were driven across the Yoo
bridge and down the levee toward Sut
terVilIe. TIE water at 10 o'clock vas so
deep at the lower portion Of the city as to
set a6oat and turn over large number
of houses in the vicinity of Fifth end
Sixth streets. From very o,suy Of these
houses women could be seen at doors end
Windows calliog foF bosts, which we're for
Ii me scarce, and for hile it secR, d
as though usny lives must inevitably be
lest. All the boats at the levee we're
soon brought into rcqui>tion !or the Pur-
pose OF resouinl them, and they we're re
moved to places Of safety.
When tie water arrived in The vicirit,
Of the Pavilion. corner Of Sixth aa3 N
streets, that building was thrown open
for the reception OF the 6ying refugee,
and during the dag the Howard Beneso
lent Soeiety aceoI nodst thyre somc
200 persons, keeping 4 boats constantly
running. TO bring Of those who had lo
means OF transportation. This punker
was fea bs cauldtoo being prepared for
the supply OF .oup, and supply Q! blan
kets was furnished them at night.
The food continued 10 advance, and
soon after l o'clock, NJ. l.. X. and J
streets sere from , to 4 Ieet under water
The inmates Of one story residences gen
orally deserted them. while the occupants
Of two story bouscs Lastily rcnosed their
property into the upper story. The cellars
in the town we're, OF course, Elied wiih
water, and large quantities OF stores we're
destroyed. Boats, scoss, RATS, aud eve
rs ina gin able kind of water craft we're
brought iUto requisition. At II O'clock
in the forenoon, the chain Gang cat aa o
pening in the Il street lesee, between
Fifth aud Sixth streets. The water
rushed through in perfect torrent, and
large number o! houses in tie viainity
were swept along ans dashed to frag-
mebts. This operation bad the effect oiI
reducing the depth Of water on j and X
streets about foot, By 3, o'clock.
Late in the evou;nk. r hen the cqui!it
rium of water on each size Of L street
was established, the hack water filed up
all portions of the ciiy, and attained al
higher point THAI that Of the earlier Pc
riod Of the day. Several per-ons were
drowned during the dag. During the
greater portion of the day, the only dry
portions of the city were | street. the ii
yer front, the r street levee. and Power
ty Ridge | street ana the le7ee were
crowded much o? the dag with live stock
which Tas taken there for safety. 10 the
evening, Eauy boats we're occupied in !
taking passengers to AMI from the very
few restaurants anj hotels that we're able
20 furui-h meals The mot of them had
their fires ex,iugui,bcd. and were there
fore unable to Go their cooking The
steamer Sesilow attempted to pass
through the draw5ridge 10 the afternoon,
but was dashed against the pier, stssing
iu her side, and seserrly injuring two o.
ber gers, Miss Elizabeth Near and
Mrs. NJ Wyer.
The railroads we're Obliged to suspend
operations, and toward night the road to
Sutteryille and Camp UuiOU was ren5er-
ed iupsssable. At sundown the water
was 2I1 feet above low water mark, but
ct 10 O'Clock had receded an inch or two.
Ou the 18th Of Deco ber the food had
SO far abated that the two principal street,
we're again 10 travelling condition through
part Of their leUsth. The general aP
pearauce of TIE flooded city on The l0tb,
aud some idea of the damage done. are
thus described and given by The Unton.
The roruiDg sun yesterday rose bright
aud beautiful oser our city, but It's beams
fell upon desolatc and dreary scene
The waters bad subsided during the
night three or four feet, leaving L street
and all the streets north Of it beds Of nuj,
strewu with planks from sidewalks and
crossings. and AMID which boats and
RATS, used in their navigation the day be
fore, lay helplessly stranded. South OF
L street, boweTer. all the city was still
submerged, and boats and RATS afforded
l. hon