The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-02-08
THE ICE GORGES.

THE ICE GORGES.
/ The ice gorges in the Susque hanna are
still in statu quo, as the lawyers say. The
mild thawing weather of this week has
had softening effect upon the frozen
masses, while the muddy water, caused by
the melting snow has doubtless served to
cut away the under portions of the gorges
and considerably weaken their hold
Should the thawing, mild weather Of the
present week continue through another
week without any considerable quantity OF
rain falling, in all probability channel
! will be opened through the gorge at Port
Deposit, and passage made that would
give free access to the great flow which is
expected from above. The rain on Mon
day caused considerable alarm to the in
habitants of the town; for in case Of
rapid rise of the river above, the gorges at
McCalrs Ferry and higher up would most
likely be started, and meeting with the
resistance which the heavy gorge at Port
would offer, there would he very faint
t prospect of any property in the town escap-
ing either total or partial destruction
Every hope of safety depends upon grad
ual thaw, which has been the salvation OF
the place many times in the past, and we
| hope will prove its deliverance from pres
ent danger. The mouth of the Susque-
hanna is providentially in much warmer
climate than its sources.
Advices from Port Deposit, on Thurs
day night, say the water rose in the street,
on Thursday, Is inches, with every indl-
cation of continued rise. The danger to
the town is imminent. if the rain of Friday
extends to any considerable extent among
the head waters of the Susquehanna. The
Baltimore Sun of Friday says:
"The preparations for removing the ice
gorge here are still being discussed by the
town commissioners of Port Deposit, and
the nitro glycerine proposal is being urged
by Mr.. Kavepey, contractor on the Fort
Deposit and Columbia Railroad, who uses
the explosive material constantly, and
claims to be able to blow out channel
-
| His proposition is being considered, but
some of the commissioners deem it imprac-
ticable.
Captain Myers, of Havre de Grace, who
has fitted up steel pillow boat, announces
that he will make the trial of his pillow in
opening a channel, to morrow friday
morning, and feels confident of breaking
open channel sufficient to pass out the
ice in safety
Candlemas Day.-The second day Of
February is styled Candlemas Day. Last
Sunday being the second day, was cele-
brated in the Catholic Church, in the
usual manner.
Candlemas Day, like many other relig-
ious festivals, had lis heather prototype.
The old Romans were in the habit of burn
ing candles on this day in honor of the
mother of Mars, and Pope Sergius turned
it to account by enjoining similar offer
ing of candles to the Virgin Mary. In an
old English document, it is said "that the
bearinge of candles is done in the memorie
of Christie, the spiritual lyghte whom
Simeon dyd propecy." The candles conse-
Grated on Candlemas Day were supposed
| to drive away all evil influences and to pro-
tect the houses in which they were kept.
| Candlemas Day is also called Christ's
Presentation" and in the North of Eng
land, the "Wives Feast Day." In Scot
| land it is one of the four term days ap-
pointed for the payment of taxes, rents,
&c.
This festival is quite strictly kept in the
Roman Catholic Church, and in the more
| ritualistic of the Protestant Episcopal
Churches. The ceremony consists in a
procession with many lighted candles,
after which, by prayers and sprinkling
with holy water, the candles required for
| the ensuing year are consecrated. All the
members of congregation are expected to
make offerings Of candles; each person gen.
orally bringing many more than they want
themselves, the surplus going to the
church, which is thus fully supplied
| Those which are returned to the giyers are
| laid away ano used to burn around the
corpse of deceased friend
Improving Elk River.-The following
summary Of the report of the Engineer on
the improvement Of Elk River is printed
in the Baltimore Sun of Tuesday:
! "The Secretary of War has submitted
to Congress report of the officers of the
engineer department on the subject of the
improvement of Elk River, Maryland, Pc
titioned by the citizens of Cecil county
The improvement proposed is channel
seventy five feet wide at bottom and seven
feet deep at low water, from Elkton to
Cedar Point, and similar channel fifty
feet wide from Cedar Point to PartridEe's
| wharf, at a cost of about $2S, 900. The
town of Eikton is situated in Cecil county,
about one mile above the confluence of Big
and Little Elk creeka. which form the Elk
river. Tidewater in Big Elk creek extends
! to Elkton; both of these cresks furnish
fine water power, the fall being cousidera-
BILE. The report shows that Elkton contains
manufacturing establishments of various
kinds, rolling mills, paper mills, &c, and
that the Philadelphia, Wilmington and
Baltimore railroad is the only means of
transportation, because both of the creeks
! are INSTRUCTED by bars. Heavy and bulky
articles suffer from tha high rate of freight
necessarily charged by the railroad. The
population of Elkton is 1900, with num-
Der of stores and a trade of $500, 600 an
| nually. Navigation has heretofore been
! open to Elkton, but the obstruction was
| formed by the sinking of two barges loaded
with granite, upon which a bar has formed.
| The large trade of the surrounding country
would be greatly benefited by the improve
| ment."
Teachers Normal Association.
PORT DEPOSIT, Feb. 4th, 1878.
The Teachers Normal Association met