The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-02-22
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PORTLAND DAILY PRESS.
The Freshet On the Kennebec,
The Waters SIO,ULy Sasbsidi7ag,
NIX iety Still Felt.
NIX iety Still Felt.

Especial Dispatches by International Line.l
augusta, Feb. 21.-The water at this point
has been slowly falling since 10 O'Clock last
night, and is now about seven feet above high
water mark of yesterday. The jam between
this city and Hallowell still holds, but it is
gradually wearing away, the water gradually
working from underneath it large pieces OF
ice. There is jam five miles in length, with
three small buildings and two bridges on it,
commencing nine miles above this place, which
is causing much uneasiness among our citi-
zens, and many reports that it had started
have at different times during the day gained
credence; but up to this time it has not made
its appearance. 1t is feared that should it
start before the gorge below gives way, our
streets and buildings will again be flooded, as
it could not fail to pretty effectually dam up
the city below us. The city government is
making strenuous eXertions to save the Ken
bee bridge, the eastern span of which has
shown unmistakable signs of weakness and
has settled in the middle several inches dur
ing the day. Workmen are busily engaged in
braciDg it, and it is hoped that the efforts to
save it may be successful. Mails from the east
reached here this forenoon, having come partly
by rail and partly by stage. The management
of the Portland & Kennebec Railroad is evil
IDENTIFY in efficient hands, for they are ener
getic in their preparations for rebuilding theil
| lost bridges. They promise that Au gusta shall
now have railroad bridge that ice cannot in
| jure. All trains are running with regularity
| between this city and Portland. CUsHNoc.
| HALLowELL, Feb. N.-The excitement o.
| Yesterday has somewhat subsided, and to-da,
| has been characterized by persistent, contnu
GUS efforts to clear away the debris in orde t.
render Water street passable. Near the foo
of Central street, between the stores OF Masters
Smith & Co. and j. B. Thomas the ice is nov
| piled up to the height of about thirty-tiVe fee
above low water mark.
| In the vicinity of Bodwell and Wilson
| stone yard the water still Cverf0ws the stree
| to the depth of four or five feet, and will re
| auire vast amount Of labor to render tn
street passable after the water entirely sub
dues. Huge masses of ice, together with de
molished houses, barns, &C., constitute block
ade of formidable magnitude, fearful to behold
| A large amount of finished stone work in til
ward of Bodwell and Wilson was covered wit
mountains of ice, and their Office, sheds, SC
are totally wrecked and mingled in the gene
raj ruin. We cannot give an adequate pc
picture of the complete desolation of the VI
entity 1t must be seen to be appreciated.
is impossible at present to estimate the amour
of loss by this calamity. Nest OF our mel
chants have been damaged more or less by wa
ter and ice and many buildings suffered PAL
tial or total demolition At present the ic
gorge remains firm and the water is slowly re
cedng, baving already fallen off about fiv
feet. Our merchants hesitate about repacin
their goods in stores until all danger fror