The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-03-19
L0CAL CoRREsroHOENCE. e.
FGH Particulars Of tie Late Flood-Aitsmpt-
ed hce1sdiariSm--Accid Road
Meeting, Sc, SC.
JoHNsTowN, March Is, /


zens. On Monday and Tuesday large guam
titles of ice came down the Conemaugh river,
and as a gorge had been formed at the old
Aqueduct on Sunday night. the water was
forced out of its natural channel over the
low ground known as "Goose Island" and
carrying with it great body of ice, the lat
ter locality was in short time completely
submerged. The families who reside IN the
vicinity Of the river were with great diff
Cuitv rescued, as in some of the buildings
the ice was damned up above the first story,
and entrance had to be effected thro' the up-
per windows. On Tuesday evening another
large quantity of ice came down and packed
in So firmly us to turn the water across INTO
the old basin, at the head of Portage street;
and backing up to WoodvIle, the lower end
of the latter village was soon about five feet
under water The apprehensions OF the peo-
pie residing on Portage street were consider
ably aroused by this time, and they nearly
all abandoned their houses, taking refuge on
tie other side of the basin. For several
hours the entire body of water ran down
Portage street and the old basin, and at
Squire Fattery's residence, on Clinton
street extension, it returned to It's natural
channel by way of the main street on
Goose Island" The water on the tilst
floor Of the 'Squire,s residence was about
commenced running about O'Clock on
Tuesday evening, and a few minutes after
wards the Kernville end of the toll bridge
was carried away. The ice almost immedi-
ately gorgeG, and the structure was left in
perfect condition on the top of the gorge.
About 10 O'Clock the ice again started, and
large quantities from an upper gor5e coming
down, the pier Of the toll bridge was carried
off and the balance of the bridge with it.
Both portions sailed down in Noah's Ark
style until they reached the confluence of the
rivers, and there coming in contact.with the
piers of the iron bridge they were. as I heard
a young man expressively remark, ''reduced
! to toothpicks.' AS far as l can learn 20
! other damage was sustained by the breaking
of the ice in the Stony creek.
The losses and damage to property along
the Conenlaugh cannot be accurately estima-
tel but the following are among the heaviest
sufferers Mr.. HetZline, house torn away by
the ice and carried about one hundred yards,
when it was overturned and almost entirely
demolished; Mr.. BifTinger, stable torn down
and portion carried off; Mr.. Clark, house
partly tIrned over and about half Of it under
the ice; A. Akrrs lost five fine hogs. five
barrels Of salt, as also, his building consider
, ably damaged. The prize steer was with
great difficulty removed on Monday morn
Z z,
: on Goose Islaud' lost . great portion Of
/ their furniture and provisions. lime
house belonging to the Mechanical Works,
and partly filed with lime, took fire and
burned down. A large quantity of liquors
was lost by tavern keepers on PortS ge street,
as the water filed their cellars so fast as TO
prevent them from removing their stock
Two COWS and great deal of other live stock
we're drowned.
After the ice had packed IN around the
house of Mr. Lemon, some dastardly wretch
walked over the cakes, and getting through
an upper window, arranged CombustiDle
matter, including a can of oil, on the floor
and set it on fire. The flames were observed
by Mr.. w. Headrick and L. Furlong, who
Immediately made their way to the house
and with great difficulty extinguished the
FIRE. An attempt was made 30 start the
gorge at the Aqueduct, on Wednesday even
ing by inserting a charge of twenty five
pounds Of gunpowder in the ice. The blast
went off but the gorge didn't. About s
O'Clock that evening, however. it started of
its own accord, and half an hour afterwards
our terrified citizens were satisfied that all
danger was past. Fortunately the channel
was clear along Cambria borough, and no
further damage was sustained.
A rope ferry is in operation between town
and Kernville, and preparations are making
for building temporary bridge.
OF scenes and incidents connected with
the late food 1 could fill columns, but as
such things are only ''nine days wonder"
forbear.
John Strayer, Sr., an old and esteemed
citizen Of Yoder township, this county. died
not long since at the patriarchal age of "a.
Mr- Henry Fisher had his leg broken last
week. owing to fall received while on his
way to work. He was going from his home
in Kernville by way of the hill around the
Stony creek, and as the path was narrow,
dangerous and slippery, be fell with the re-
suit stated.
a public meeting was held in Council
Chambers on Saturday evening. to take the
preliminary steps towards having the Johns
town and Somerset Railroad incorporated.
A committee of five, consisting of Messrs.
Scn!l and Baer, of Somerset. and Messrs.
Potts, Ed ,r and Osborne Of this place. was
appointed to prepare charter, which will
be presented. to the Legislature before their
adjournment. SKU BAL.
Az Narc1