The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-03-23
The C,ty Inundated.


dreaded back action or the Paxton Greek
had commenced Soon the water over
flowed the banks of.the little stream, sub
merging the Pennsylvania Railroad bridge
across it. Its encroachments now reached
the city limits. The Paxton and Lochiel
Iron Works were deluged, aud quite a
little town of working men, who earned
their little homes by years of toll, lost
their all. They fed from the scene In
terror, women and children, wandering
in every direction, in want and poverty.
This indeed was sad. As the inunda-
ton spread the distress increased. From
the upper end of the town to the extreme
lower terminus of the creek the water
had formed quite lake, submerging the
houses between Sixth street and Allison's
Hill. Families moved to the upper sto-
ries or entirely deserted their homes
Boats aud stray planks became their means
of locomotion from place to place. Thous-
ands of dollars worth Of property was des
troyed. And this, we are told, is but one
of the many instances of damage and dis
tress along the bank of the river.
The scene, indeed, begsars description.
Stretched along the banks of stream, and
along the borders of inundated districts,
were men, women and children, gazing
upon the turbid torrent as it rolled past
them, in awe and silence betimes, as if
the river were living thing, a demon,
bearing on its bosom the stains of hun
dred murders. AS of fire so may be
said of water when it becomes master.
Stretching far as eye could reach, almost,
was the yellow, muddy element, raging
and roaring where it met with obstacles.
like the pillows of troubled sea, split
ing its white foam in mad glee. An i'm
mense concourse of people were intent
upon watching the bridge and the mad
capers Of the floating timber. 1t was not
thought the bridge could possibly stand
so long. A large island in the middle of
the river, on which is farm house and
large barn, was entirely covered by the
raging clement, aud bystanders busted
themselves discussing the probable fate
of live stock stabbed in the barn
a report was current, Notwithstanding
the absence of communication by tele-
graph, that the bridge over the North
Branch at Northumberland had been
tswept away, and the inquiry was momen-
tarily propounded, "W hat effect will it
have upon our bridge when it comes
sweeping down p In the morning block
house-one of those erected by the Penn
sylvania Railroad during the raid last
summer-came down on the western side;
and hitting pier Of the bridge, was
knocked to pieces in twinkling Good
bye, block house !"
About half-past six this evening span
of bridge came down, but on the wes-
tern side, where it could pass under the
railroad bridge. Old watermen stood by,
with arms folded, coolly watching splen-
did saw logs passing. They did not exert
themselves for their capture, because Of
the miserable pittance allowed by act of
Legislature for the risk Of life and limb.
This act was passed after the flood of
1858, at the instance of the boom corpo-
rations along the upper branches, who
wished to recover their timber at as little
expense as possible, and this has given
great offense to river men.
Bystander to urchin, catching small
timber-'There's large log passing you,
bub." " Don't want it; boom log"
The Night Scene.
And 50 the day passed, until night, with
her mantle Of darkness, covered the scene
aud even then crowds fingered near the
bridge, Ike shostly sentinels, awaiting
the fall of the structure. About nine O.
clock train Of passengers passed over
slowly and cautiously, to avoid too great
shock to the timbers. The river was still
rising, and the logs and timber were form
ing dam against the bridge It was
manifest that the strain was becoming too
much for the bridge, and at about half
past nine it gave hud groan Of pain, and
groan succeeded groan.
As the bridge would make these mani
festations shouts would ascend from the
crowd on shore. The scene in Schillers
BraUc Han could not have been more an
imating, only there was no particular ter
ror here to lend enchantment to this mid
night scene.
Signal lights were waved along the road
At every creak Of the timbers a guage
would be taken to the extent of the dam
age. A terrific wind from the west pre-
vailed, driving the drift against the east
ern shore, and lashing the water in foam
crests against the bank and bridge.
Saturday morning dawned clear and
beautiful, with prevailing wind from the
west. 1t was found that the river had
risen some two feet during the night. It'll
was now twenty-five feet and half above
low water mark, an increase of three feet
six inches over the food of 1916.
The bridge contrary to all expectations
was still standing, though it's timbers
were strained and shattered It had
moved some twenty inches during the
night, Notwithstanding the stays contriyed
to keep it in its place. Huge ropes were
tied to it, connecting with trees on the
land, drawn at tight tension, and several
cars loaded with iron wara nIoood unon