The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-12
PENNSYLVANIA.

GREAT DEVASTATION IN THE COAL REGIONS
PROPERTY OF GREAT VALUE DESTROYED
BRIDGES AND RAILROAD TRACKS WASHED AWAY.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
wILKEsBARRE. Dec. IL, 1873
The heavy rainfall in the extended basin, of which
the susquehanna River is tho drain, has filed the
popnace here with apprehensions Of disaster. The
river is now twenty feet above low water mark
and rising at the rate Of eight inches per hour.
Tho natural confines OF the river arc ovcrhown and
the wide cxpanse of plains between here and Kings
ton one vast sheet Of angry water. sweeping in its
course nearly every structure of Importance. The rise
in the river at this is unprecedented. Many
people have been 10th TO consider tho possibility of
food Of this magnitude at this time OF the year. and
have bccnin the habit Of settling upon these low
lands during harvest tmc aud the early winter
months At six o'clock last evening the river nno
feet above low water mark, and at eight O'Clock this
morning it was nine feet higher. with the tide
rising at the rate of ten inches hour Az the
ing advanced hundreds of people gathered at the
East wharves the Wilkesbarre side and gazed upon
the rushing roaring food which continued to in
crease in strength and fury. The west banks of the
Susquehanna were ovcrfown, and the water reached
far up the trunks of the tall that stand like
sturdy scntinels, along that side OF the river.
BUILDINGS FLOATING ABOUT.
The adjacent fields on Kingston fats we're in
undated and tho yellow LOOKING water swept
fences barns, stables sheds and every conceivable
structure that not secured The ferry boat houses
and little docks along the river all carried of
The surface Of the river dotted with debris of all
kinds. trees and tree stumps predominating. Now
and then pleasure skif, in most in
stances overturned, observed floating down.
few made attempts TO secure the
craft, but were deferred from going far into the
stream account of the strong current and the huge
drift that swept along at furious rate. twas appar-
ent that great deal more water would yet come from
cgraphic advces from the Upper susquehanna and
the Cheniung River were to the effect that tho rain
yet descending, especially at Elmra and Owego,
where all tho lower portions of the cities mum
dated.
THE FLOOD In wIIKrspAHRE.
All travel between this city and Kingston by steam
other vehicle cut off, boats alone
being used TO convey people from the edge
of tho food on the Kingston side 10 the
as the water rushed over the flats with tremendous
velocity. Tobys Greek, better known as Hollow
Creek, in Kingston. overhowed its banks
early as ten o'clock last night aud
caused great excitement among those who
live The stream, especially among the residents
on College street. who were awakened by the angry
roar OF the waters rushing the fields and along
the street. Several families were compelled 10
seek safety in boats aud fec to higher
grounds. All night long the inhabitants labored
in their earnest efforts TO property. Consider
able excitement prevailed among the women aud
children enhanced, of course, by the darkness and
the unknown force OF tho dclugc At early hour
this morning the family occupying the old
historic Newctt House, stone. which has
withstood every food and ice gorge for the
past century, became convinced that their