The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-22
THE FLOODED TOWNS.
Pictures Of Devastation and
Misery.
SUCCOR FOR THE DISTRESSED
Movement Of the Ice in the
SueQuehanna.
SUBSIDENCE OF THE WATERS.

PORT DEPOSIT. Nd, March 81, 1875.
1t would be difficult in the present state OF
affairs TO distinguish Sunday from any ordinary
day OF the week. The churches, four in number,
representing as many denominations, have not
been opened, and the people are busy looking
after the welfare OF their worldly goods. The
water has fallen everal inches since last night
and dry spots here and there appear along the
main street. Therefore some slight idea OF the
disastrous effects oil the gorge may be conceived.
People VINO have lived here for years
say that within their Knowledge or hear
say such devastation has never before been
wrought by any gorge in the Susquehanna. rons
OF Ice are piled up in 'front.' OF the Post once, and
the books and all the goous in the office OF the
Adams Express Company have been destroyed.
The Post ONCE building Will be abandoned tor
some time ana temporary quarters have been Sc
cured elsewhere. All the freight and express
matter bound here have been shipped at Oxford.
THE DEVASTATED DISTRICT.
l procured boat this morning ana padded
through the most devastated portions of the mum
dated district at Rock Run.
The scene cannot be adequately depicted. Two
or three houses have been entirely demolished
ana small bridge mas been rendered useless. At
the other end o the town the damage to dwell
ings has been almost great. and the water still
covers the ground foors IN this vicinity num-
Der or the poor white people and the greater por-
ton OF the cOlored population, which is about one
third OF the total number OF inhabitants, are con-
fined in the upper stories OF their houses. while
without nothing is visible large blocks OF ice
and muddy water. The stock OF provisions which
many OF these unfortunate people had In store
when the flood came has already given out and
they are now dependent upon the CHARITY or the
During the day large quantities OF bread, meat
ana the other necessaries or LIE have arrived IN
sun, Oxiord and other adjoining towns. the
Town commissioners oil Port Deposit have also set
to work, and have appropriated the sum OF 81 900
to iced their distressed constituents. TWO OF the
Commissioners, Messrs w. T. Way and John
Kaveley. were appointed committee to ferret
out the NEEDY, and thus far have distributed from
ten 10 fifteen barrels or hour, large quantities. OF
bread and other provisions
RELIEF FOR THE NEEDY.
In one house they found family, IN. Aeaa OF
which was lying extremely H.. with five helpless
TO this and several like cases the Commissioners
are giving their especial attention, while Mr..
Kayeey himself himself mas TAKEN nity,ionr strangers
this gentleman since the visitation OF the calamity
Is being lauded from every quarter. He was at
Peach Bottom, fifteen miles above here, when the
ice began rushing down the Susquenanna on
Thursday evening. He quicSly saddled horse to
threatened danger but the speed OF the current
was greater than that OF the horse. and when Mr..
Kaveley reached the town had been flooded for at
least twenty minutes.
VIEW OF THE FLOOD.
obtained me pest view OF the gorge from the
cupola oil sash mill this morning. which, until
to-day. was inaccessible, owing to the flood. AS
tar as the eve can reach down the river and below
Havre de Grace nothing can be seen but massive
hills OF ice. A short distance up the river mar
row channel 10 opening and the ice Is running
slowly in the vicinity OF Peach Bottom. The
course OF the river Is through the town, while
acres OF debris are piled upon what TILL few days
ago, was the wharf. The lumber stored here by
the various firms ia said 10 have been worth
at least s225ooo, and scarcely Pile OF
1t has been lett standing. The depot IS
surrounded with ice, and has the appearance OF
haviog been moved several feet Several freight
cars have been capslZcd from the track and O lum-
Der schooner mas been washed upon terra T1'n1a.
Although timber belonging 10 the several firms
has been mixed unfortunately and scattered IN
every direction, but very little OF II has been
washed away
Mr.. Pennington. agent OF the adams Express
Company, has acquainted the various towns
through which the Baltimore Central trains pass
OF distress likely fall upon the poorer classes,
and from an elevated position In tue town men
may. at the present time, be seen clambering The
side OF the dangerous HILL bearing bags iull OF pro-
visions from other places.