National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-02-26
TEE POTOMAC.
Apprehension Of High Water at GsOrget

Ap5tehensftn OF High water at GeorgeLoWp'
The excitement in Georgetown yesterday Pas
only eCaalled on the occasion Of the great
freshet In that city in 1870, when the river rose
between seven and ten feet, and did great
amount Of damage IRlong the whscyes and
Water street, the treshet coming 60 suddenly
upon the merchants as not to give ITEM chance
TO make proper preparations for ITS reception.
The recent condition of the river and the rains
caused the merchants Of Georgetown to be on the
alert, and day after day they were removing
their gUods TO places Of greater safety than their
morning, observing that tho ice was melting
rapidly and heavy rain faping their fears of
freshet became much greater. About noon the
creating ferther uneasiners, and q few momsuts
who had made Arrangements to keep the mer.
chants Of Georgetown posted on the approach OF
treshet and tine condition OF the river, for
city:
HARrER's FERRY, Feb. IS noon.
CRfer Signal Officer:
River raised considerably in last "a hours, and IL
stall Tt1ng slowly. Ice all passed down.
OBSERVER SIGNAL SERVICE.
GREAT CONNECTION.
Tire receipt of the above dispatch, which was
iEens OF Georgetown, caused the excitement to
become much greater, and people and teams were
soon moving to and fro, transferring What goods
street corners in stores and other places could be
seen squads OF persons discussing the condition of
AFFAIRS. TIE lumber merchants were not idle, and
large forces were engaged in changing and secur-
ing pilesof lumber against danger. While the
excitement was at high pitch, the following ad-
ditional dispatch was received:
GREAT FALLS, Feb. Is, te:O5 p. m.
o'clock this morning, and the river Re rising grad
ualIy, say about three inches per hour.
RAY, Observer Signal Service.
ALONG THE WHARvBs.
This announcement was received with Rreat
eRgerness, and ere long the wharf was crowded
with people, not only those who reside In George
town, but many from W Ishlngton, the latter
being those who had goods stored in that city,
and who felt uneasy regarding their security.
Tho probabilities Of n froshet were discussed aud
the roaring waters Of Rock creek emptyinE into
tho river ana the worried cguntenanoos Of those
Interested while in front could be heard the ram.
bling noiEo Of the fec az II was driven by tho cur
rent mHd0 the tcene pitiiul In tho extreme. Some
who had rHsided In Georgetown for years past,
and had witnessed numerous frosh0tg, did not OK.
rress much fear Of q food, while another portion
Of the oldest inhabitants eontended that there
was every Indication OF u heAFy Hood and gave
their theories OF tho samo.
Tho younger residents Of that city looked upon
tho prUEpeot Of a little excitement with much
pleature, md they seemed anxious that II como
hastily. Some gave ne the cause Of the rise OF
the river tho fact that Georgetown was in the
District OF Columbia, and not 10 Maryland, while
another gentleman prominently connected with
tho military tthi Of An ox1ioyefnor, charged that
II was owing to the bOn,oompletion OF the LIST
regiment Of District militia. Other causes were
which had the effect for while Of detractlng
from
THKsAB sCENE;
but Il was OF short duration, for hurryIng down
Congress street, boy stopped one Of the
WhRrVes out of breath aud IN m almost indlstInst
tone cried, "AHOihoT dispatch ~ "Lets have III"
cried hundred voices and tho following were
read:
The wStST runs over the dam 10 inches,
GREAT FALLS, Feb. Is, 1855 .. m,
The ice 10 broken and gone from here, but Mr..
Sullivan says that ne docs not think that the loo
Is broken up Rt Seneca Falls, because tho rlYgrls
very Wide there and he thinks that the river has
not risen high enough to break up the Toe.
This pews bewIldsrsd the unoasy ones soma
what, and they were doub full from the above as
TO the real condition OF affairs, bat the following
was received during their quandry, which for
- GnEAT FALLS Feb. u, Bpm.
NJ change IL condition Of river since last 70.
port, except that there IL more Ice anoAt
On the conclusion OF the reading Of tkiS dispatch
many started TO their homes with much easier
hearts, but before reaching them n terrific wind
and rain storm came up, and their fears were IN.
Many turned back towards the wharf, bat tho
wind, blowing at the rate q sixty miles 40 hour,
obliged 70 remain Tor . hRif hour or mors. When
the wind luiled an inspection OF the river was
made, but nothing serious wac seen, and the Ice
WhATyeE returned 70 their homes, satisfied that
further fears were unnecessary,
The following additional dispatches were TO
ceiVed'
o,,.<s , GaEAT FALLS, Feb. Is, 1873, Sp. IN.
The river has risen two inches since last report.
Flohtlng ice increasing. A high wind sprung up
at $50 p m. and still continues. Have had heavy
shower Of rain since last report which lasted about
twenty minutes. W. ii. RAY, Serg't
III, s,., GREAT FALLS, Feb. Is, 1850 p. m.
Our gauge Indicates that the river has fallen
al out three inches since last report The river is
gcrged at the mouth Of the squsduct, and It is |
evident that the ice has broken up above this |
point. W. II. Ray, Sergeant.
6RFAT FALLS, Feb. Is, Up. IN.
No change since lastreport. River still gOrged.
W. H. RAY, Sergeant.
The general impression prevailed at late hour
that 1t would assist greatly in relieving the river
Of the ice.
During last night bulletins were posted at the
Union hotel, in Georgetown, and they were fire. |
GREAT FALLS, Feb. IS, 1850 p. m.
Our gauge Indicates that the river has fallen |
about three inches since last report. The river ia
evident that the ice has broken up above this |
point W. H. RAY, Sergeant.
Eight p. m.-No change.
BRIDGE AND MILL-DAMs SWEPT AWAY.
BALTIMORE, Feb. 25.-Reports from Glenco, q |
ford county, on Gunpowder river, state that by |
the breaking OF an ice gorge the county bridge |
was swept away. Also, the dams OF the SitZYille |
grist and Marblevale paper mills, with large
quantities OF lumber. The bridge was an irOo |
structure worth over ,OOO