Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-21
BROKEN UP AT LAST.
The Ice Gorge in the Allegheny River
Starts Slowly Down Stream
WITHOUT DESTROYING ANYTHING.
Will Probably Reach Pittsburg Some Time
This Morning.
NEwsY NOTES FROM NEARBY TOWNS
rrRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT,


/ PARKER PA, Feb. 20.-The town is
SAFE. Without doing the least damage, the
great ice gorge has moved slowly down the
stream, and tonight the Allegheny is prac-
tically clear at this point. Millions of tons
Of ice are now floating toward Pittsburg.
The people there will have a chance to see
what remains of the gorge some time to-
| morrow morning.
Shortly after . o'clock this morning
| watchers along the river heard low MUIR
muring sound from down the river. Soon
| it grew more distinct and then through the
darkness they saw the surface of the white
mass tremble and then move slowly. At
first the motion, was only noticeable in
the middle of the river. Gradually it
widened and in an hour all the ice was movl
ing except that along the bank. AS the
people of Parker had hoped, the gorge
loosened at the lower end first, and fed out
regularly. The Clarion river held back
until the Allegheny had gotten well under
way, and then part of its gorge came
down. There being little resistance
then 1t swung around and started south
without cal using any trouble. About five
miles of its ice has not yet moved, but when
it does it will not do any damage.
Turned Out to See the Break.
The news that the gorge had broken
spread rapidly over the town, and before it
had gotten fairly well started severa-
hundred people were watching it from
the shore. As soon as it became evident
that there was no danger the spectators
retired to their homes and slept better than
they have for a week. To-day the whole
populace is rejoicing over the affair, and
the town has holiday appearance. In spite
OF the outward appearance OF unconcern
there had been considerable anxiety as to
the outcome, and the result lifted load
from many mind.
All day the ice kept floating rapidly past
and it will probably be tomorrow night be-
fore it all goes down. Now that it is moving
size of the gorge. Twenty feet out from
either bank the ice still stands in solid
mass, its edges are cut sharply
off by the current and stands
in many places ten feet above the surface of
the water. Between these white walls the ice
from up the river goes tumbling down. The
great cakes grind and crush each other so
will have lost their formidable appearance
They are travelling about four or five miles
an hour. At o'clock word came that the
vanguard of ice had passed Kittanning.
Floating Down on the Ice.
The trunk of great oak tree passed here
this afternoon, each end resting on a cake of
ice A short distance behind it was a skiff
carried along in a similar manner. As faras
can be learned no buildings have been in
jured at any point along the river.
The 1000 pounds of dynamite ordered for
use in case of a jam at the bridge here, ar
rived on a special train this morning. AS
there is now no use for it the whole load will
be returned to Pittsburg as soon as enough
money is raised to pay for transportation.
Only $l5 has been raised so far, and, as the
danger is all overi there will be considerable
trouble about raising the remainder.
BELL