The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-21
SINCE yesterday. storm OF rain and sleer nas sef
Ia, with prospect OF continuing all night.


A GLOOMY LOOK FOR A THREATENED DIsAs-
TER-AN EXODUS TO CAMP MEETING-THE
PERILs OF PIrTsToN AND PORT JERyIs
CoMPARED-NARRATIvE OF RAILROAD TRIP
THROUGH THE ICE
PITTsroN, Pa, March 90, 1875.
The storm OF han and snow which set IN az
twelve O'Clock last night continued at intervals
until morning. when early pedestrians were l,rced
to face furious wind filed with sharp particles
OF hail. The streets were covered 10 the depth of
nearly SIX inches, and throughout the day there
has been very good sleighng, The weather con-
tinues quite cold, and tonight dark heavy cloudl
drape the sky and northeast winds are sending
premonltory puts OF a threatening storm. The adj
ditional Increase OF mood material on the noun.
tains has caused much alarm To-Day among ths
residents OF The west side, who appear to grow
more alarmed with the passage of time ar tha
situation OF affairs. rney are forced 10 the con-
cluslon that they must make every preparation
to ward or the impending dangers, by arranging
Tor instant and sae flight whenever the crisis
demanding the same arises. Those VINO reside
in the most exposed localities have removed all
their valuable household effects to either dis
lance or the upper floors OF their residences
The apprehensions now are very general about thc
terrible possibilities OF the future; and these Tears
not based upon any iraIl foundation. Tha
reality OF the ice neds above the town
is serious barrier TO the iaintesr
ray OF regarding the final escape
from serious damage. the TACT too. that tnia
Is the equtnoctial season creates fears that the
storm OF last night and to day. and the threaten
ing aspect OF the skies tonight are the prellmi.
nary warnings OF the gloomy visitation. Quite q
number Of families residing on the west side
moved across the river to-day, and VIII remain on
the east side until the trouble Is over about hrea
miles BACK OF West Pittston.
A CAMP MEETING.
On the mountains are located the Wyoming
Camp Meeting grounds. Very substantial dwell
ngs were erected last year and to-day quite
pilgrimage was lnaugurated towards this aecca of
safety number OF families owning handsome
cottages here prefer to take up their abode
wlthiu the circle OF this sancited ana
safe retreat rather than risk the danger
which may beset them should they remain
in their old haDitatons on the river bank A lady.
VINO arrived from the vicinity of the camp
grounds this afternoon, reports that preparations
are making to hold daily and evening meetings OF
prayer by those assembled. at whca special sup
plicAtions TO the DEITY Will be made for dlvne
help IN these days OF trlbulatlon- These move.
ments Illustrate the very significant apprehen.
slons which are Tell in the community.
ESTABLISHMENT OF PATROL.
Tonight paIro mas been arranged TO watch
the premises which nave been vacated, as iearJ
taken depredarons OF serious character may
take place, as gang OF suspicious looking men,
supposed to be tramPs, have oeen aftrac'eI 5 To
patrol viii also act as pickles 10 warn people OF
any sudden change which may occur IN tue dis
position Oi the Ice and hood. Signal stations ON
the adjacent mountains nave been fixed so that
Immediate Information can be gwen OF toe break
Ing up OF the sorgcs, two miles above. TnesG
signals are to be IN the night by lights.
SECURING STOCK.
Several gentlemen, in order TO secure valuable
stock, have driven their horses to NanticaKe. six
teen miles distant down the west side, crossed.
ton, the east side
PORT JERvIs COMPARED
The HERALD correspondent was extended the
courtesy OF Il railroad trip on u locomotive up tho
north Or PlttstOn to the o'clnous field OF Ice this
morning. Much has been written OF the Port
Jervis lookup, but those VINO have been eyewit-
nesses or bOtn ueids OF excitement and apprehen-
agree taat, while Port Jervls foods shattered
the CONFIDENCE OF man III things earthly, tnau
there was nor Is nothing IN Port Jervis in com-
parlson to the awful calamitles we nave passed
From the very moment we started on tue
trip the spectacle was awe-nspiring ana
attractive. The tracks and WORKS OF the devastat.
ing elements were to be seen on every hand
Along the first mile We passed the sites OF the de-
I cincts OF the gorge, where tne entire force OF
gigantic trunk line OF railroad, mad been several
days cutting through mountains OF ice to clear
RAILROAD EXPERIMENTS.
AT Coxton, the station OF the coal department..
the spectacle Is beyond description. Here is q
network OF switches and cross tracks covering
acres OF land and which are ten to twelve feet
under ice. Hundreds OF men are engaged
digging out the cars OF coal and Ireigne
and long construction trains are carry-
Tor the purpose OF clearing the yard. me round
house has been smashed IN, anu III the shops and
the offices massive cakes OF ice had forced them
selves IL will take weeks OF nard labor to re move
the Ice and debris. ana the damage cannot be esti
the river rs more nrm than ever. Tao IRAN, AZ it
passes along the bank OF the river Is at times Ell
TREY hidden from sgnr so deep has been the cut
"a a iLaI
that good Presbyteria minister organized u
prayer meeting on board the last tram tnas
passed the NarrOws on Tuesday evening as the
waters raised and Ice damned against the sides VI
the cars.
There is not much change IN the condition OF
the stream nor IN the ice, nut the suspension Of
doubt anu concern bv the people IN the valley ana
Wiikesbarre, Kingston anu PlymOatn are laooring
any time before the first breakup. With $50 miles
OF Ice yet to come, with two rlghtui gorges IN
s E n New ana oak s one ann On
cerely hoped that the prayers OF the faithful Will
be heard.
FEARS OF THE INUNDATION OF WEST PITTS.
ToN-rIvE HUNDRED COAL CARS BLOCKED
IN ICE-FLooDING OF THE RAILROAD OFFICE
A TELEGRAPH OPERATOR BUSHES AWAY, WAIST
HIGH IN WATER.
WILKEsBARRE, Pa, March 20, 1875.
There has been no change In the water to. day.
The report this afternoon that 1t was rising at and
above PlttstOn caused general aarm: but 1t was
entirely unfounded. On thus side and just above
the bridge Tor several rods the ice has settled
about five feet, but elsewhere 1t remains nrm.
The water still sweeps across the Kingston fata
and is wearing Its channel deeper. Fears OF q
still greater lnundation are general, and many
families in the owiands are preparing to move to
higher ground. merchant on Market, neaE
River street, has been removing his stock Of
stoves TINS afternoon to q safe distance from
the water. The City Council have been asked To
construct dam across the canal near the redoubt,
so as to prevent the water from flowing down BY
that means and noodihg part OF the city. 1t Is
probable that such a dam VIII he Quilt at once.
The gorge, which begins two miles above PtttstOn
and Is niue miles long, Is a terror To the entire
Yaey be mo % ns IAr "A