Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-01-27
THIRD EDITION.
3:3O p. M.
Frem Port Deposit.

tn SITUATION on sATURDAY-THE ICE GORGE -FOUR
MILES LoNd-BUsINEss sTIIL SUSPENDED.
Coleman, of the Philadelphia Ledger, tele-
graphed on Saturday;
The ice gorge in the Susquehanna, at this
place, not only continues. but the packed ice now
fills the river as far up as Howlandsville about
four miles above the upper or northern end Of
the town. The water has been falling gradually
for the past two or three days, and to-day the
streets are free from water, with the exception
Of about stretch Of half mile, commencing
near Rock Run and extending southwark. Here
the water still runs through gardens and into the
Easements Of dwellings, though some Of the
former occupants have returned TO them, but
use only the upper stories. At this point the
greatest damage has been done In the destruc-
ton of fences, sheds, stables and outbuildings
Of various kinds, some Of them having been
foated down several hundred feet, and now lay
half buried In the ice.
During the height of the food In this locality.
when the only means Of reaching dry ground
was by means Of boats, an old lady, Mrs. Ebel-
man, had to be removed from her dwelling,
through hole cut In the roof, the water having
risen above the tops of the highest windows.
The railroad track from Perryville to point
opposite the handsome residence of Mr. Jacob
Tome, has been cleared of the logs and canal
boats that had been deposited upon the road
when the freshet first occurred and the usuR
number of trains are now running. No connec
tion is made, however with the Baltimore Gen
lThl hhllIOAut pocAunot lOf uihbduCo VI nearly
two miles, the track is covered with immense
cakes of ice, In some places to the depth OF from
eight to fifteen feet, while the depot is COM
pletely surrounded with ice that will require
many days Of sunny weather to remove.
As to the loss sustained by the lumber mer-
chants it is impossible to give any definite est-
mate. In some of the yards, the most valuable
piles of lumber remain in position, while others
have only been overturned or moved short dis
tance but there is no doubt, in the present
condition Of the river, that IL a sudden rise
should take place and start the ice, but little Of
the lumber and but few Of the buildings near the
river could be saved. The result is very much
feared, particularly, since recent reports as to
the condition Of the river above have been re-
ceived. 1t is stated that there is q fearful
gorge at McCall's Ferry, about twenty-five miles
above. and another at or near the mouth of
Connestogo creek, the ice being piled up from
thirty to fifty feet high. The water at these
and other points is backed up, overhowing the
adjacent villages and country.
Business Is still suspended, the excitement
being too great among all Glasses to settle down
TO the usual dull routine Of trade. Work has
not AZ yet been commenced in the quarries,
though they are far from all danger from the
ice, but it is still difficult to reach them. No
fears felt for the safety Of the Philadelphia,
Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad bridge at
Havre de Grace, the river below and for some
distance above being entirely free Of ice.