The Portland daily press., 1875-03-22
THE PENNSYLVANIA FLOODS.
The situation Along the Snsque.
hanna.

wuKEsBARRE, March 20.-There has been
no change in the water to-day. A report this
afternoon that it was rising at and above Pitts
ton caused general alarm, but was unfounded.
On this side and just above the bridge for sew
eral rods ice has settled about five feet, but
elsewhere it remains firm. The water still
sweeps across the Kingston flats and is weav-
ing it's channel deeper Fears of still greater
inundations are general and many families IN
the low lands are preparing to move to higher
ground. A merchant on Market near River
street, has been removing his stock OF stoves
this afternoon to a safe distance from water.
City Council have been asked to construct
dam across the canal near the redoupt SO as W
prevent the water from flooding part OF t h
city, 1t is probable that such a dam VIII 10
built. The gorge which begins two miles
above Pittston and is nine miles long, IS yer
Tor to the entire valley. The river runs ~.
tween mountains for part OF distance anu .ne
high water cannot spread OUT 9uH 1 nus n no
mn until it has force enough 10 drive the SorSe
before II. For this reason it is beheyed tnat
This GORGE will move before the one at Wilkes
hare lift does back the water Will lnundate
West Pttston again. Its inhabitants fear THIS
ia safe from almost any food, were made. AT
Coxton, one mile above Pittston, the scene OF
desolation cannot be described. A farm OF zoo
acres is covered with cakes of ice left by the re-
ceding waters. Five hundred coal cars on
side track Of the Lehigh Valley Railroad are
One side of the engine house was crushed IN,
the office was flooded and long narrow cake
of ice broke in the door and landed on the
floor. The: telegraph operator had to walk
through water waist deep to get out. rms
place is near the foot Of the gorge and the same
rush of the ice will probably be repeated. Siee5
has been falling all day. The snow storm dl9
not continue all night Weather Is coid anu
threatening rain.
Later-The following is the list OF casualties
by the tornado near thomson John l.. Strouse
and wife and two daughters OF John n. MOI,
gan badly wounded b, falling houses; several
negroes killed and wounded at Apping; houses
of s. Hutchinson, Salonu Reese, John Boston
and others were destroyed; Mrs. Martha Oar
cy and Miss Maggie Bailey were killed, Miss
Malone and Mrs. Grey were seriously wounded.
One end of the court house was blown IN. Al
| Camack every house except one is destroyed.
| Mr.. Fielding, telegraph operator. is badly
| bruised. Tom Gesling was on siding wnen
| the tornado struck train, demolishlng II
| completely and killing him instantly: All the
| trains coming to Augusta except the Centra
were DELAYED, but there was no serious damage
| TO the railroads There is no loss of life OF
| damage to property in Augusta. Jas Gordon
| (white) and Chas. Ramsey (coored) were
| drowned by the capsizing of boat in the Sa
| vannah River.
HARRISBURG, Pa, March 20.-The Columbia
| branch road, though covered for several miles
| with ice and driftwood washed on the track Wi
| be clear to night. No damage has been done t.
the roadway, bridges or buildings.
| HAyRE DE GRACE, March 20-There is nj
| change in the gorge here. The water bas fallei
| considerably. The damage to the canal is sup
posed to be heavy. The extent is not know
| vet. Ice lines the banks for miles.