Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-01-28
TINE SUSOUEHANNA FLOOD.
Rescue of Imprisoned Islanders.

80
river. From the Baltimore Sun of Thurs
day we copy the following account of the
rescue of a family on Cars Island:
RESCUE OF Tue ISLANDERS.
The rescue of the families imprisoned on
Cars Island, above Port Deposit, whose
cries for help had enlisted such profound
sympathy on the main land, was the great
event of the day. In Port Deposit Mr. j. J.
Abrahams, of Baltimore, and Mr. j. Nc.
Caveny. of Port Deposit. had offered 500 for
the rescue of the islanders, but there was no
one to undertake the task.
In Havre de Grace yesterday, however.
rescue party, composed mainly Of duckers aud
fishermen, was formed. who went to Lapidum
and from that point accomplished the difficult
and honorable feat. The expedition was or
ganized and headed by John Leitheiser, who
Oh Tuesday evening last called for volunteers
among his comrades. Tn few moments at
least dozen brave and hardy men enrolled
themselves. and all the necessary preparations
for the next day, when it was resolved to att
tempt the rescue, were made.
The party met at o'clock yesterday morn>
ing when a two>horse wagon was loaded with
the life-saving appurtenances. These consis-
ted oe two good-sized lifeboats. covered with
tin. Upon the bottom of each boat we're
three wooden runners, covered with iron
plates in sled style, designed as means of
passing the boats over the ice during the
winter season. A number of boat hooks and
a coil of rope 500 feet in length were also
provided, and with these the party set out
Owing to the funeral of Mrs. Duke, mentioned
above, no second wagon could be procured to
convey the men; but nothing dauuted, they
decided to start on foot and walk the distance
necessary which they did, going around and
over the hills-the river road being blocked
up-a distance of seven miles to the village
of Lapidum.
OUT ON THE ICE GORGE.
The party proceeded thence about mile
higher up. to Bells Ferry. at the site of the
old Snsquehanna turnpike bridge which was
washed away in the great food of 1857. being
met on. the way by persons, men and women,
who begged them not to attempt 40 foolhardy
undertaking. and declaring that the ice
gorge had moved only twenty minutes previ
Gus. The "duckers." however. had started
to go to the island, and one of the number,
gray>haired old fellow of sixty years, replied,
"Never mind US, we're all right; we'll cross
that ere ice or go under it," and cross it they
did, as the sequel shows. The boats were
gotten out. placed on the ice gorge. which was
nineteen feet above ordinary water level, and
the following party were assigned to manage
them; John Leitheiser, John Mahan, Grafton
Day. William Dohson. John Knrtz, John
Cameron. John Teppish, Albert Raisn and
Chas. w Hubbard
The whole party stripped off their coats, at
tached the rope to the first boat. and thence
to the second, leaving John and Robert
Mitchell and John T. Ives to handle the ropes
on shore. The start was then made. at about
A. NJ ), and crowd of perhaps fl fly persons.
who had assembled on shore watched with
hreathIess anxiety the slow and lahored pros
gress of the party. A distance of one hun
dred yards from shore John Cameron went
through the ice. boat cluug to the boats side.
and was soon up again. A few feet further
and the forward boat lurched and seemed to
sink, when John Alahan. another of the nartv
was himself sgorged' in the ice hut was
quickly pulled out, dripping with the ice
cold waters.
OUT OF SIGHT.
When about three hundred yards from
shore crevice in the gorge whs encountered
so deep that when the boats descended it thew
were entirely out Of sight of those on shore.
and the men say that. nothing could be seen
but lice and sky" Those on shore were dis
posed t" pull in the rope, but in a few mo-
ments the boats reappeared, and were again
mounted on the high gorge.
Thus up and down, over the hummocks
they worked on. and in one hour reached
"Woods Island" which was almost entirely
submerged, having played ont $50 feet of the
rope. The rope was then tied fast to tree
on Wood's Island for the return. A shout
from shore was cheerily answered by the brave
duckers Crossing the water space of this
island 100 yards. they again mounted the
gorge, and shouted for an answer from the
family on Cars Island. about 200 yards away
Receiving no answer, some of the party con-
eluded the unfortunates had persisted, but
they pushed on and reached the island, over
which the water was flooded five to eight feet
deep.
THE FLOODED FARMHOUSE.
The Roberts brothers, residents of Carr's
Island, who were in boat padding from the
farmhouse to the stable, saw the rescue party,
and gave them hear ty welcome. The farm
house, which is plain two>ssory dwelling,
situated on rising ground, had been sub>
merged about two feet but bv the fall in the
liver, there was but little water in the dwell
ling at the time of the arrival of the expedition.
The party was met at the doorway by the
women and children, who shed tears of ioy over
the gallant men who had come to their rescue.
one OF the ladies, Mrs. Charles Roberts, ex>
claiming 'Thauk God, our prayers are am
swered; we prayed all night, with the waters
all round us for help. and youv'e come you've
come" 1t was with the utmost difficulty that
she could be quoted. but her companion. the
cooler of the two ladies', came to the rescue
aud at once preparations were made to leave
the house.
THE RETURN TO SHORE.
About IL o'clock all was made ready for
the return. Mrs. Alfred Roberts aud two
small girls. six and eight years old, were placed
in one boat, and her sister-inlaw Mrs. Chas
Roberts, with babe in one arm, and small
boy in the other, the Roberts brothers aud
farm hand, who was also an occupant of the
housa aaiad IL. L....,