The New York herald., 1875-03-18
rents seemed capable OF sweeping over and an.
Initiating any impeachment whatever.

Initiating any impeachment whatever.
TEN MINUTES TO THE DAY OF JUDGMENT.
Naturally, therefore, the report OF this rapid
rise OF The river mad in it the elements of panic.
1t came with the startling effect OF explosion,
and the people, who had become apathesc and
indifferent IN the many days during which they
had waited in vain for this alarm, who had come
TO believe that the danger was over, were in
the moral condition OF people who felt that 1t was
only ten minutes to the day OF judgment, with
their names at the head OF the list.
Between eight and nine O'Clock In the evening
report went the rounds that tina ice was moving.
in a short time the whole town was in great COM
| motion. The story originated from despatch
dated at Deposit, and many got the impression
| that 1t was from Germantown, only half mile
| distant.
The people on the dats began to pack up, and
| great demand was made Tor horses and wagons.
But, through the prompt efforts OF Chief OF Police
| Samuel Valley. they were prevented in O great
| measure rom moving their furniture. All night
| long the puoic barrooms were crowded every
one being il.,y sarsfed that not many hours could
elapse before the ireshet would be ielt at this
| point.
WATCHING THE RIVER.
| The telegraph wires kept the authorities in.
formed OF the state Of affairs all along the river.
| AT the Delaware House watch was changed
every hour, the patrol consisting Of about twenty
| men, who watched the river for two miles IN
length. Two locomotives were also kept plying
up and down the road from the iron bridge, which
| was three miles above, so that no stone was left
unturned to give the citizens ample time to reach
| place OF safety in case OF Imminent danger.
| All night this report Of the evenings advance
! was kept up; dispatches from points constantly
nearer and nearer came In. It gave an impres.
zion OF deliberateness, Of calm, slow, long-deter
mined purpose, this tardy terrible advance; and
| the terror grew greater-or, rather, the effect
| grew greater--as fatigue and apprehension wore
| out the courage with which people were prepared
| to face the great calamity. 1t was calculated by
Mr.. Chanute at what hour by the comparative
progress made from point to point the great
! danger would reach us here. and the hour was set
| down for eight or nine A. Nj. to-day Reassured
| by this many went to their homes and slept, but
| the more anxious kept on loot all night. or per-
| haps dropped away to little slumber toward
| daylight.
THE REAL ALARM.
At six O'Clock this morning the alarm was
! gwen, II had been concerted between the
| authorities and the people, that danger was i'm
| mnent and notice was given TO The people TO
| leave Germantown, the most exp osed polnt. AS
! sistance was given to many Invalid and inhrm
| persons. Bat a little later the same alarm was
given In Port Jervis and the real excitement of the
day began in the hustle and hurry aud rush OF the
| people In the jammea streets 10 get away and
! save their little property.
Soon alter seven y. NJ. the announcing avalanche
| reached the iron bridge across the Delaware, at
| at the point called Sawml Rift (shown
| III tile map. At this moment locomotive,
| under charge OF Division Superln tendent Thomas,
| came dasning down the ralrOad track, whistltng
with oil Its nigh: OF sound, thus warning the peO-
pie that time was 70 be lost IN reaching places
OF safety. AS the locomotive came INTO PORT
! Jervls some half dozen other locomotives sent
forth q snriIl scream that deaes description
FLIGHT FOR SAFETY.
! In less than fifteen minutes over two thousand
persons were on the streets, and in half an hour
! Pike street, leading dowa to the suspension
| bridge. was black with the throng. soon wagon
alter wagon came rafting down on the fats, and
sucl tumbllnu out OF furniture from the various
houses was never before Witnessed IN Port Jervis.
| Here and there could be seen men hurry.
| Ing along loaded down with goods, women running
| with children, all seeking place OF safety. rho
hillside were lined with spectators, whilo the
| continual sarieSing OF the numerous locomotives
| and the ringing OF bells added 10 the confusion
and sent terror into the hearts OF many. soon
| the housetops were crowded Win people. On the
| root OF the Delaware House stoud dozens with
lcld glasses taking observations and watching
| the bend at Germantown.
AN IMMENSE BLAST.
| Near seven O'Clock q great blast was made OF
| afy pounas OF nitro.gi iycerine. THIS had been
| previously placed under the ice At the strongest
point OF the dam to avail the critical moment
when the rise OF the water would make the weak.
enlng OF the structure advantageous. Undoub tedy
tats had u very great effect In weakening tue
mass. 1t threw large fragments 900 feet into tho
air and destroyed the real point OF resistance.
A little before seven the river oeyan to rise
slowly near the town. the suspension bridge
being crowded with spectators. Cniel of Police
valley rad his force early going the rounds to aid
! the people. Several women had to ps carried out
OF their houses in chairs IN TACT less than hall
| dozen SICK persons were TINS rescued from the
| dreaded danger.
DESTRUCTION OF THE IRON BRIDGE
The eACrmOus mass OF Ice, NOT less than twenty,
pcrnaps thirty. icet IN height. and from oae to
two mites IN length, was simply being pushed
! down toe course o the river Wy tae water behind
| II, and was ploughlny It's way, clearing cut Win
/ tAfa "a