The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-23
THE DELAWARE VALLEY.

THE RIVER NOT CLEARED BETWEEN PORT
JERvIs AND THE GAp-CoNsIDERABLE ALARM
AT AND BELOW ERs-REMINIsCENCE
OF THE LAST FIOOD-A THRILLING MARIA
TIVE OF AN ESCAPE.
PORT JERvIs, March 90, 1875.
Telegraph communication has been renewed
between this place and Milford, the wires being
stretched across the river TO-DAY. The news re.
ceved to-day from below is to the effect that the
reported clearing OF the river between here and
the Gap Is not correct. All the Ice that passed
Port Jervis, and all that went out below TOR thirty
miles, Is jammed IN Shoemaker's Eddy, six miles
this side OF the Water Gap, ana extends back
eighteen miles, nling the river from bank to bank.
When 1t formed q serious inunuation occurred
on both sides Of the river for miles.
Farms, some Of the richest in the valley, have been
80 badly damaged by the DlOughing Ice that hun
dreds OF acres Will be entirely ruined. Orchards,
vineyards, &C., have been destroyed; acres OF
trees and vines being torn out by the roots or
broken down. Fences, outbudings lumber and
all movable property have suffered the same late
as those In the vicinity OF this place and up the
river.
Below Shoemaker's the Ice Is broken up as far as
Brodhead Hotel this side OF the Gap ana Is lodged
there. Between the hotel and the Gap the ice Is
solid in the river as 1t has been any time this
winter and Is crossed by people living there. The
fury or the Hood seems 60 have oeen SO spent
by the time 1t reached shoemaker's that 1T
W
further, and when a passage was made through
the eighteen miles OF packed Ice for the water TO
when the gorge formed here, through the
lnterstlces Of the lce-the river iel rapidly until
there IS now but an ordinary now OF water.
ALARM AT sHOEM AKER's.
This great gorge AT Shoemaker's Is causing
great alarm as far up as Dingman's, Pa, and all
exposed property Is being made as secure as
possible
There never was known an Ice gorge In shat
locality but once before. and That was
nearly one hundred years ago. In 1776
GAP in that p year and before it broke the whole
country between there and Port Jervis, forty
named Dewitt nved about four miles below here
ON The Pennsylvania side OF the river. near the
BANK. Beside himself and his family he had six
slaves. The water surrounded his house and
barns before any could escape. Mrs. DE Witt
climbed upon huge cake OF Ice that was noatlng
slowly by the door, and It being caught In eudying
water was carried to land and sue escaped. Mr..
Dewitt swan to an apple tree ana climbed 10 Its
to the Pennsylvania boundary OF tue flood and
escaped with his lie, but was badly jammed. The
hogs were drowned The slaves tried to escape TO
the barn, and were swept away by the Hood they
was the late Lodawock Dewitt Of westfali town.
ship, Pike county. Pa, who died about twelve
FEARS THE GAP.
Not only above shoemaker. but at the Gap and
all down, is tine apprehension felt: Moth
accumulation OF ice away, and it Is
feared that before 1t moves an inundation OF
most destructive proportions will ensue. Judging
from the events Of the past lew days 1t cannot be
SAID that these fears are grOundless. There are
several villages along the river in imminent dan.
ger from this last great gorge, and the Columbia
and Easton bridges are not more secure than were
those which were swept away above.
THE ROPE FERRY.
The rope ferry to transfer through passengers
from this place to trains on the other siae OF the
RIVER at the site OF the late bridge, was completed
yesterday, and the passengers arriving here on
No. s this afternoon were the first transferred.
WORK on the temporary bridge is progressing as
RAPIDLY as possible. and 1t Will be completed, II is
expected, by the end OF this week. commencing
to-day, train No. 10 on the Erie Railway will
run from Jersey City the time OF No. l (915
A. ny as lar as Gosnen; stopping at Paterson.
Surern's, Turner'S and Grey Court, making con-
nections with Newburg, Short Cut, WAIKIKI
Valley and Pine Island Branches.
RELIGIOUS SERVICES.
Union services were held last evening, In the
Reformed church OF this place. TO return thanks
to God that the disaster from the late hood was
confined to comparatively narrow limits, while
the sweep OF the ICY deluge might have caused
ruin to vne entire lower part OF the place. The Rev.
s. j. Rogers, OF the Re Ormed church. preached
the sermon, and Rev. A. p. BotsfOro, of the Pres
bytertan church; Rev. VIM. Mckinney. OF the Bap-
list cnurcn and Rev. A. q. Shaw, OF the Methodist
was crowded aud over 200 people were unable TO
obtain entrance 10 the edhce. Rev. s. j. Rogers
took mis- text rom Amos, III, g. ''Shall trumpet
be blown In the city and the people not be airaidS
Shall there be evil III city and the Lord hath not
done IL ~
The Revs Mckinney, Botsford and shaw fol-
lowed In appropriate remarks.