Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-08-09
FLOODS In NEW JERSEY.
Many Cities and Villages Dam
aged by Raging Waters.
Seven Dams Burst and Sweep
Away Houses and Bridges.

The food gates were lifted during the late
heavy rain in New Jersey, and, since the
Johnstown disaster was fresh IN the minds
OF all, it would be hard 10 gauge the amount
of terror that existed in some parts of that
State for q few hours. The streams were
already running full, and n succession OF
deluglng showers in the afternoon and
evening caused them to overflow. The rain
fall was especially heavy on the Orange
Mountains, and the result was that cities
like Newark Plainfiald and Elizabeth on the
low land which received the mountains
streams suffered from floods. Bridges dams
and houses were washed away trains stalled
and other damage done.
The greatest flood Plainfield n J., has
ever known followed this heavy downpour
OF rain, and wash-outs and broken dams
We're the result. At o'clock COdington's
dam, On Stony Brook, gave way and the
large body Of water thus freed carried
away CodingtOn'8 icehou8o and threatened
the Green Valley hills with destruction.
The damage along the course Of this stream
YVES heavy, for many barns and other build
ings were washed away.
at 4:3O O'Clock the great dam at Feltville
gave way, and the rush OF the water down
the valley proved too much for the little
Green Brook SO that the tOrrent divided and
part Of it made its way to Cedar Brook. This
brook flows through the choicest resident
portion Of Plainfield, and the elegant houses
there were badly damaged. An area in the
town covering three square miles was entire
ly submerged
At $40 Tiers dam in Green Brook gave
way, precipitating a great body Of water
through the center of the town, This brook
divides tie two counties Of Somerset and
Union, and where it runs through the town
IS built entirely over When the water. in a
great torrent, rushed down the stream and
found its way blocked by buildings it turned
into the street. Somerset street became q
raging flood, and where the brook was
hrid3ed the street was washed out badly.
Many small wooden buildings we're washed
away and demolished.
Several houses situated along the brook
were flooded and the inhabitants compelled
to move in short order. Trenches JniIl and
carriage factory were threatened with Ges-
truction. All the cellars and first floors Of
the stores in Somerset street were flooded and
the damage to property was great.
Most OF the houses were occupied when the
water came rushing down, and the greatest
alarm prevailed among the occupants who
felt sure that the fate of the people of Johns
town was about to Overtake them. The
screams Of the women could be heard above
the noise Of the torrents and scenes such as
have never been witnessed in that part of the
country before were enacted.
SO far as known, at least seven dams were
carried away. The last one to go was that
near Cadmus's mill below Plainfield. The
mill was reported to be wrecked
bloomfield, n. j., especially its business
centre, is a wreck from the great food. The
second river dam at Fritz Mill, near the Della
ware LaclIaWanna and Western Railroad
Depot, has given way and the land for two
miles around was submerged. Stores and
residences were flooded and thousands Of dol
lars worth Of property destroyed John p.
ScherfT, druggist lost $1,000 worth Of drugs
and other articles: Robert M. Stiles feed
merchant Is also heavy loser, while nearly
all on the north side Of Gienwood avenue
have lost from $500 upward each. One or
two lives were reported lost.
The breaking Of Fritz's Dam on Parrow
Brook, near Orange, flooded and entirely de
stroyed Eppley's Park, which was recently
laid out at a cost of $40, 900. The damage in
Essex County will amount TO over 100000.
Reports from Morris County intiInated that
even greateG damage has been done there.
The worst effects OF the storm were felt in
the Orange Mountains however, and in the
towns and villages lying at their eastern
base. All the ponds and brooks on the
mountains contained more water than
usual at this time of the year be-
cause of the unprecedented rains Of
the past few weeks. This dOwnpour
OVERLOOKED thom and at one time carly in the
evening disasters were feared in MilbuTn,
Maple wood, W yOming and South Orange, as
the reservoir Of the Orange Water Works
was unusually full, and it was feared it would
burst. In this reservoir the waters Of several
mountain streams are damned up for future
use, as drink water i'll Orange, East Orange,
West Orange and South Orange. It is 800
feet above nigh water mark and about two
miles and a half west Of South Orange the
elevation Of which is about 175 feet.
in South Orange several buildings includ-
ing the p0stodice were carried away, and
$50 barrels Of -four were washed out
OF one storehouse. In Orange Valley
the water was up to tho secOnd-stOry
windows, and great damage has been done
to the stock i'll the numerous hat factories
there People were compelled to paddle
around on planks and to swim in order to
reach places of safety on high ground.
Rutherford, N. j., was flooded badly and
large portions Of three of the prominent
streets were washed out entirely,
Several prominent streets at Can lstadt,
N j., were turned into mill-races and will be
impossible until repaired. Large portions of
the sidewalks were carried away. Passaic
also came III IUr her share of the ciOudUur5t
At HackensaCk many OF the prominent
thorOughfares were entirely washed out and
made impossible. The Hackensack River
had risen considerably and many Of the Gel
lars in the lower portion Of the town were
flooded
The pretty village of Ridgewood Park Jared
badly. The finest streets in the town were
totally ruined by the torrents Cellars We're
flooded and great holes and bitches made in
several private gardens. The storm, on the
whole was the heaviest that has visited those
points for twelve years.
Landslides and washOutS occurred on near
~ all the main railroads i'll New Jersey and
the increment of trains was stopped.