Daily Republican., 1889-08-01
DISASTROUS DELUGE.
poWNPouR IN EAsToN PENN
eYLvANIA.
Heavy Losses In New Jersey-Plnlnficld
Bloomfield, Passalc and Other
Places Inundated--Damages
by Breaking of Dams.

NORRI3TOWN, fa., July ol.-NOL since
1859 has the Schuylkill been ashigh at this
point as 1t was to-day, reaching its great
est height at o'clock, when the gauge
showed u feet above low water mark.
The boat houses of number OF clubs
were surrounded, ard only saved by be-
Ing tied TO buildings or streams at n safe
distance from the stream.
The towpath between the Schuylkill
and canal at Bridgeport was covered with
several feet OF water for considerable
distance, making the artificial waterway
and the Schuylkill one wide surgiDg
stream. At Spring Mil and Consho-
hocksn the Reading Railroad tracks were
under six inches OF water.
Vast quantities of logs, fencing and
grain In sheafs foated down the stream,
but no serious damage hrs been reported.
The Perkiomen, which has It's contu-
ence with the Schuylkill short distance
below Ph9uixville, was bank full, and q
number Of small bridges over that stream
were carried away, meadow lands inun-
dated and fencing destroyed. The con-
tinuous rains have proved disastrous to
much of the oat crop in this section of
the country, the straw having literally
rotted while farmers were attempting to
dry 1t.
FLOOD IN CHESTER COUNTY.
WEST CHESTER, July U.-At about
1880 o'clock this morning the rain fell In
solid sheets for come minutes. Instantly
streets assumed the appearance of rush
ing creeks, sewers were flooded, pave
ments submerged and cellars deluged.
On White Clay creek, at point near
| Pomeroy, this county, q bridge on the
Pomeroy and Delaware railroad was
swept away by the food, which leaped
beyond the banks Of the stream within
FIVE minutes. In its course 1t tore away
large treee and soon the tide was carry
ing. with 1t many pig pens, coops, small
outhouses and lumber.
At the Valley Greek bridge. near Whit
ford, the lowlands presented q huge river
and travel was for hours impeded. One
farmer, residing near by, found that his
house was last becoming surrounded,
and, taking his wife and children, fed to
"a neighbor's house, across the fields,
where they remained during the day.
The Brandywine was very high, but no
damage is reported.
FRESuET AT BRISTOL.
BRISTOL, Pa, July 3l.-silver Lake
pond, in Bristol, situated at the head Of
the town, a vast body OF water, fed flom
|
terdsy morning. The water took another
course from the creek and flowed along
the south side OF tho old bath property,
ovcrfowing the newly-made ground of
Messrs Howell s. Son, and filling num-
bet Of the cellars OF the Few Dwellings,
the female occupants oil which were
greatly alarmed.
| DESTRUCTION AT PLAINFIELD.
1 n. T.,l- GNA
first dam to break In this vicinity was at
Feltville, five miles north oil here. The
break occurred at O'Clock, aud the rush
Of water carried away aud absolutely
obliterated two smaller dams below it al
Seely's paper mill, causing q loss o
$40, 900. The water rushed on down tc
Scotch Plains, completely inundating the
village. Cellars were flooded and all the
bridges were swept away. The Baptist
Church here lie badly damaged, and the
old cemetery surrounding II washed out,
in many places exposing the grsvea
Every household has Its losses. The
heaviest loser here is Job Male, the Mayor
of the town, who owns more than hun
died of these handsome dwelliugs. Ills
property is damaged to the extent OF
$50, 600.
The breaking of Tiers dam threatened
TO cut ing swain through tne business
portion oil the town, as brook which
runs through that part OF the place is
bridged over with buildings on Somerset
street. The space underneath was not
sufficient to carry of the water, and 1t
backed up into the street. Somerset
street was six feet under water. Martins
blacksmith shop and several smalle.
buildings were lifted and thrown in
heap into the middle OF the street
The breaking of Wilson's dam In
Washington Valley let down an immense
body Of water to the dam at Watumpka
Falle. Masonry and rocks tumbled to-
gether, and what was once picturesque
SPOT is absolutely gone. Coddington's
leo houses, barns and mills were swept
away, involving less oft3O,000. Stony
Brook goes through farming country
west of the town, so that the subsequent
damage was slight. OF the 50 large
bridges In Union County, 80 are said to
bc gone, involving a loss to the county of
more than $40, 900. Altogether eight dams
In Plainheld, and within four miles OF the
town, were washed away.
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