The New York herald., 1875-03-20
THE COMING OF THE FLOOD.


The dreaded ice gorge at Sunburg broke yester-
day afternoon and came sweeping down with
locomotive velocity. 1t is stated that the current
was at the rate OF at least fifteen miles an hour.
The ice formed itself in hillocks and soon became
compact, causing sudden rise OF about
eighteen feet OF water in the river About
seven O'CLOCK all the wharves were SUBJ
merged, and while members OF families
had scarcely finished their evening repast the
mood forced itself into Main street. covering the
street and sidewalks. so sudden was its effect
that those who were inundated had scarcely time
to vacate their residences ana TO secure such
articles OF furniture as tney desired to pro-
tect. Women and children rushed from the
houses to seek any shelter, while the
men endeavored, as far as possible, 10
aid their more unfortunate neghbors. In
several OF the houses inundated there
SICK people and in ono lady eighty years OF age
was dangerously Ill. These were all removed with
safety and taken to other quarters. Numbers OF
people nocked to the adjoining hl known as
Mount Ararat where they remained all night,
STRIVING to keep warm with the aid OF bedquilts
ana camp fires. The main street is about one and
half miles in length, and its entire distance was
within short time completely covered with
water, which had attained depth OF several feet.
CASES OF RESCUE
The boats OF number OF fishermen were quickly
brought into requisitton and padded along the
watcry highway. Mr. Anthony Davis, lumber
merchant procured boat, and, with the assist
once OF his bookkeeper, manned 1t and went to his
once Tor the purpose OF saving some valuable
papers. They endeavored to return, but their
boat became unmanageable. and there was danger
OF its being swept on by the current into the
blockade OF ice in the river A gentleman, oo.
serving their danger from a neighboring house,
threw out clothes line, but 1t snapped
as though 1t mad been a watch cn8in. Another
gentleman, who mad been standing on the top OF
a nigh hight OF steps, procured In the meantime
large coil OF rope, and with It's assistance the TWO
men we're rescued. dry goods dealer named
Abrams. was in his store at the time the water
began to rise so rapidly. and his cries attracted
the attention OF several men, and with some dill
Guilty he was taken out.
The railroad depot, from appearances at the
present time, is situated IN the middle OF the
river, and 1t would be difficult to discern in what
locality the railroad track is situated. The tracks
on both the Baltimore Central and the Port De-
post roads are blocked up lor considerable dis.
tances outside OF the town with blocks OF ice
washed up from the river and allowed to remain.
GOOD sANARATANIsM.
The population here is about 1900, and 1t Is es-
timaed the freshet has driven at least two. thrds
OF that NUMBER from their houses. Many are well
cared for, however. and not the least restitution
exists From the situation OF the town the rest
dences on High street are IN danger OF being
visited by the inundatlon, ana the people who
occupy them are caring well for their afflicted
churches were converted INTO dormitories, but
scarcely an lnhabitant passed an hour IN sleep
during the entire ngn
LOSSES.
The damage thus lar exocrIenced by business
men and nouseholders cannot at TINS nour be
safely estimated. The principal losses are those
OF the lumber dealers, whose stock mas been al
most entirely destroyed. The nrms are u. II.
Rowland h Co., DAVIS Pugh, Bond Brothers Il
Co., and T.. j. Faneman. j. }. Bucks sawGllI
and j. Tones grain warehouse, ono OF the most
extensive IN this portion OF the State are badly
damaged.
TWO houses in the upper part or the town. occu-
ped respectively by FAMILIES named Helms and
Weir, are entirely demolished and bridge over
a creek known rs Rock Kun has been swept
away.
THE SITUATION TONIGHT.
All day the female Inhabitants have been
compelled to remain WITHIN doors, and
men desirous oil reaching either end
OF the town are compelled to do so IN
boats or to climb over rough and dangerous Mills.
The gorge is supposed to be at least seven miles
in length. Tonight the water has iaen about
Two feet, but the ice along the roadway leading TO
town is piled up In some pa aces almost forty feet