Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-10-03
i've children, were saved by the sane process,
nat in time to see their dwelling pass down the

five children, were saved by the sane process,
lust in time to see their dwelling pass down the
stream.
The agony and terror of the fearful night
were too much for tho wasted strength of an
aged lady, mother-in'law OF Mr.. filzpatrck.
living on the island, and tho morning found
her o corpse
Several bridges and portion of the track
from Harper's Ferry, for several miles beyond
tho island. on the Winchester road, are said to
have been washed away.
Passengers, baggage and the mails arc now
transferred from Harper's Ferry to Halltown
nv stare. It will probably take some weeks to
rcnpir permanently the damage to the Win
chester branch railroad.
Tho water rose to within q few iect OF the
LARGO iron bridge connecting Mai yland and Vir.
cinia, over the Potomac at Harper Ferry, In,
nndat,nr tho lower floors of the hotel and
Adams Express buildings, but causing no
serious loss of property.
THE FLOOD INTFE POTOMAC.
The Washington Chronicle of Sunday says
IN rho immediate vcintr of Washington the
rain. though falling at intervals for three days,
was not 30 heavy as to cause any serious apprc'
honsious of eshct in the Potomac. No in
tc)lirence of the rlsUg of any OF the streams
cntelinr therein had bee, communicated from
tbc northern portion OF Virginia, and our pco
ME were about felicitating themselves that the
storm mad PASSED without inf'ctiDg any damage
unou them, until yesterday morning at an early
hour. when the Potomac began RAJ sing rapidly,
ard all the evidences of trcshet were upon
them At 6 o'clock the heavy timber which
passed down tho river, dlilt-wood and wreck OF
all kinds betokened that too 5000 the people OF
tho District would also suffer ON tho watcly
element.
The Chain bridge, located above Georgetown,
at an earIv hour parted, and that portion be.
tween the clnal and channel OF the river sank
down. tho timbcrs floating on down the river,
which were soon recognized by those specta.
tors who had assembled along its banks,
Water street Georgetown was filled V tn
floating boats of all descriptions. Boxes, tubs
and bar. els were cxtemporized into floating
vessels, to carry off goods to places OF safety.
Teams too were busiIy engaged in the same 20
cation. The Aqucduct bridge during the day
was lined With spectators, drawn thlthcr to wit
ness tho work of destruction which was gong
on. The large boats mooled to the docks were
lashcd together, and made secure ty the add:
ton of several cables attached to then, and
firmly secured on tho shore. Cords of DRIFT
wood and tho wrecks of houses which came
floating down the river lodged against them,
and tho services OF the wreckcrS were constant
lyin demand in the removal of the same. AT
II O. clock the excitement somewhat Increased,
when Marbury's wharf was washed away.
So rapidly had the water crowded 10 upon
| tho buildings located along the wharf that be-
fore the goods could be removed much valua
| bic property was swept away or damaged SO as
| to be rendered worthless.
| The Guano company were, perhaps, tho
heaviest losers, their merchandise being OF such
q nature as to become unfit for use when mixcc
| with water.
| Mr.. Marbury sustains serious loss by rea.
son of his wharf having been carried off.
Mcssrs. Dougall & Burrows also lost heavily
! Mr. Pasano lost some fifteen pleasure boats
| Other private boats have been swept away
some fifty or sixty altogether. including severa
| fishermen boats, between the Chain bridge aud
Georgetown.
| MIR. Edward Lyons had large quantity o.
wheat in his warehouse, which will cause @
serious loss, ty reason OF being damaged with
| the Wa.cr
! A drove of sheep, which had been nasturpn
on The low grounds in the vicinity oithc Chain
| bridge, were unable to resist the strong cur
| rent, and passed down the river with 1t.
In many instances Individuals have suffered
| to an alarming extent, and it is safe 20 presume
that the food will have occasioned loss in
value nearly 100000 A large quantity Of
mill gearing and barrels of -four passed down
carly in the morning, which is supposed to
have come from the Seneca Touring mills. All
manner and description Of household furniture
has been borne on down the river, which gives
evidences that the inhabitants near the river, In
! At ,r,Iond boua cnffornA Oroot nytnnt
The damage in Washington is not as great,
nor attended witt, the results that bcfel George
town. Early yesterday morning the canal and
tho Tiber began to rise. The narrow dlmcn-
sions of the Tber, and its distributing channel,
tho canal, were not largo enough to hold the
additional water, and at convenient points the
stream found an outlet into the streets. All
along tho liuc, until reaching Third street. the
walls were oVc1howcd, and gradually tho water
made its approach to those having their habi
tations 10 that locality.
The restaurants of the Fountain Hotel Du-
bant's, and the Marble Saloon were completely
| rendered unfit for &C, i've opera 'ons. Barkeep-
ers perchcd themselves on the counters and
gazcd va serenity upon the scene. The bot
ties which wcro wont to hold tho fluid TO re-
l;evc the thirst OF customers were given sea-
son Of rest. The tempting fluid of oil kinds
res; on the Up OF the wave, cnc1scd in box
C., blrres and kegs.
About noon the tide reached the Nation
Hotc', I'D soon tho basement floor was over
flowed Some of tho stores were somewhat
dana ed, but &C majority of them were re-
moved TO pa ofsafety.
The ST. James Hotel also suffered, but by
tho : d OF force pr'nps the water was pumped
out.
The lies of tho plumbing and gas fitting
establishment of I X. Shepherd & Brothers
were flooded md some damage done to wares
stored there.
On Tenth and Eleventh streets, ION G to
the canal, people had to be ca lied from ono
DWELLING to another o. the backs of those who
waded or that purpose.
AT ut O'Clock tho easements of many oil
tho residences on tic south side Of PennsyVa-
MIA avenue, between Tou- and has and Se!,
enth streets, were ovcrhowed.
Most OF the wharvcs in Washington we're