Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-02-26
GOING TO RUIN.
Dangerous LandsHdes Along ths
Creek Bank
Near the Market Street 8Sidge-Ths Street
Blocked 0ff-Heayy Retaining
Wall in Danger.

The made" ground. on the north bank
CT ibe creek, in the neighborhood OF the
Market street bridge, il in bad shape, the
result, principally Of the late frsshet
Most Of the ground bordering directly on
the hank, has been made by constant and
repeated dumping of earth. In former
Yeas. the bank resembled the south one,
al had gradual slope, instead OF the
ste, p sccliyiiy that is now noticeable. The
little wire bridge that formerly swung
across the stream at Market street, was
supported by sbutmeut towers, near the
Swaier, and ended far upon the land on
either side. When the present structure
as erected, its heavy masonry especially
On the South Side, secured the land against
ercroschment by the water and in o COM
paratively short time, the made ground"
sprang up sboutit. Capt. Mason made Q
fill on the east and Mr.. Holiday on the
west, the latter standing still firm, while
the former sometime ego, settled away.
On the north bank, which was regular
dump for the city's street brigade, the land
had apparently
WON A PERMANENT VICTORY
over the water. From the abutment of
the bridge q heavy stone wall had been
stretched out, on the west, securing the
street and the Miller property. On the
east, q perfect point had been made by
dumping, and seemed perfectly secure.
The property thus obtained was owned by
the CabilPs and the Friery's and was built
upon in frame.
The recent high waters have been work
ing havoc with this made ground on the
north side and now the situation has be-
came serious. The Cahill point was badly
wrecked two weeks ago, and Eighteenth
Nreet, at the Tack factory corner, made
impssssbls for teams, the street having
sunk three or four feet and threatening TO
precipitate itself into the creek. On
Sunday afternoon the land at the
mouth of Nineteenth street, near the
oil refinery, sank at least three
feet, making The line Of depression extend
from that street west to the bridge. Bat
the most serious slide occurred yesterday
morning, the large retaining wall west oil
the aoulment giving way at the bolt ,n
This wall is of solid masonry and is an
cbored TO the centre OF the street by means
of heavy iron rods. The wall, apparently,
had no foundation and has quietly
MOVED OUT AT TIE Bottom,
cracking and tearing up the sidewalks,
tearing apart the wooden approach to the
bridge and making that side impossible
The frame shanly at the corner has not
only sunk CORES ondipgly, but has Ca
reened toward the bridge, breaking away
from its neigbo-s. The family living in IL,
and the cigar maker in the corner, have
deserted it.
A force Of workmen under Boss Creigh-
ton got 10 work quite early putting up
safeguards. The sidewalk was closed up
end row of posts sunk in the street. to
fence off the dangerous corner. The an
chors of the stone wall have not given
wsy vet, and may continue to hold. II
they do. the BARN will be small and easily
reme6ied. But should they let go, the en-
tire wall may he precipitated into the
creek and half the street 60 with it. There
is no danger for the bridge, as the abut:
ment is substantial and has q deep, solid
foundation. Part of the row OF frame
houses is in danger, never having been too
secure. There is nothing to be done, at
present, but to secure travel and to wait
further developments.
INsIDUoUs WORK.
This locality is but one OF the many that
show the results of the insiduous attack
of the water. All through the submerged
DIST let can be found houses with parts OF
their foundations undermined and the
chimneys lettering. All the effects have
not vet discovered themselves and there
may be one or two catastrophes yet to
record.