The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-01-16

A RIVER OF lcE.-Au day yesterday
the river was running heavy with ice,
and hundreds Of people stood Rt the
waters edge and on the suspension bridge
watching the rushing waters. The river
rose steadily at this point until late In
the afternoon, when the marks indicated
twenty-five feet and stationary. Towards
evening the river commenced falling, but
will no doubt be rising again this morn.
ing, owing TO the late rains.
Daylight developed no further damage
10 property than what was mentioned In
our report yesterday morning, and the
steamers remained in about the same po.
sition as stated by US. The ice was much
softer than during the previous night,
and in no condition TO be dreaded by the
steamboatmen. All day long barges were
passing down from above, and these
barges were more 10 be dreaded than the
Ice. There was a continual string Of
them, about dozen being in sight
at one time. One Of thesel barges
struck n barge at Armstrong; break
water, and forced il against the little
steamer PhReton, tearing her whole side
oil. The steamer was badly damaged,
but can be repaired She was left hard
aground, as also were the whartboat and
4 number Of barges. The Phaelon is
owned by Capt. VIM. Dillon. The barge
that struck her, and which belonged 10
Capt. John Armstrong, was carried OF.
-Four Of Capt. Ed. Hornbrook's barges,
and u barge belonging 10 Mr.. Isaiah War
rem, were also lost. The dry docks,
which were reported to have been car.
ried away, are still lying on the Island
side OF the river, opposite the wharf, un.
injured. The steamer Iron Valley and y
string Of barges were lying at Schenck's
landing near the Eighth Ward, when the
ice broke, and were uninjured. Not even
barge was torn'irom liz mooringS.
About noon ferry boat passed down
the river upon which were six men. Tie
boat was entirely at the mercy Of the
strong current which carried il along
swiftly in the midst Of field
OF Ice The men hallOed for AZ
sisLance, and attracting the attention
Of some rivermen on shore, an effort WA
made TO rescue them from their perilous
position. Ropes were thrown out, and
as the boat passed close 10 the steamer
Monitor, three Of the men succeeded in
escaping from the wreck. The other
three were rescued in the same manner
from the steamer Hudson. We learned
the names of four Of these men, who are
said to be from Martins Ferry, viz:
Andy Holmes, John Shorts, George I'm
phrey and Louis Frederick.
Shortly after this an entire section Of
docks, upon which was u model barge,
passed down near the Island side Of the
river. The barge, which was apparently
nearly new, was marked DEAN on the
bow. The docks were broken apart and
the barge twisted out Of shape. The
value Of the barge and docks was Csi-
mated at between $1,000 and $4,000. 7.
The back river also ran out on Sunday
night, carrying oil a number Of barges
from the Ohio shore. Wheeling creek
has not yet run out, but will not with.
stand the present lhaw long.
A flock Of domestic geese, swimming
in an open space between several large
ice does, attracted good deal Of atten.
ton. The poor fowls were kept con.
stantly lodging the heavy ice, which mo-
mentarily threatened TO crush them.
Among the barges which passed down
was one loaded with oil, and partly sub
merged.
There is still much apprehension
among the people Of y fresheI. We are
free 10 say that thus far ouch apprehen.
sions are wholly without warrant. We
have had a good deal Of rain during the
last twcnty.four hours, il is true, but il
must be remembered thata great volume
Of wafer has already passed down the
Ohio. The river commenced falling ut
Pittsburgh Sunday night, and here yes
terday afternoon. No doubt il will bc
rising again to-day, bnt not q great deal
Of water is expected. Thus the snow in
the mountains, which ia generally the
cause Of our winter freshels, is "going OFF,
gradually. Tie ice has run out, and no
danger need be unprecedented from high
water.