Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-30

No Present Indications of q Flood-A Warm
Rain Would Make Trouble.

No Present Indications of q Flood-A Warm
Rain Would Make Trouble.
Cor espondence Of The Evening sta-
HAMPERS FERRY. W. Va, January 20. 1893.
This morning there are no signs Of food
here. The weather is colder than it has been
for several days and it is feared that the ice
days the warm weather has carried of nearly
ell the snow from the mountains and the wind
had cut the ice so much that a general breaking
up was looked for not later than tomorrow had
no change in the weather occurred. There has
been comparatively little snow in this imme-
diate vicinity, and, therefore, it took but a
short spell Of warm weather to clear it from the
mountains. Here and there q small pile of
drift snow is to be seen on the side Of the
mountains, but there is not enough Of it left to
help swell the rivers
NO SIGNS OF A FLOOD YET.
While there are no outward appearances Of a
food those owning property along the low lands
Of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers are get
ting ready to take away their portable goods
should the crash come. and even those who arc
not so near the waters edge are preparing for
the worst. The large amount Of ice in both
rivers is looked upon as dangerous, and 1t Is
feared that a breakup. followed by the moving
of the ice, might do some damage to the railroad
bridge well as to other property. The ice in
the Potomac above here is said to be as thick
as thirty-srx inches in places, while 1t will
average fully twenty four inches. This has
been the heaviest freeze that has occurred here
in many years, the oldest inhabitants saying
they never before saw anything to equal it. A
channel has been kept open across the Shenan-
doah river for the ferry running from the town
across to Loudoun Heights. This has been used
by the farmers down the other side who bring
their products here and to the town above, but
the Ice bordering on the channel has been
thick that the wagons have been crossing and
avoiding the pay ment OF toll. The work of
reconstructing the bridge which was carried
away by the flood in 1889 was begun several
weeks ago but owing to the cold weather 1t had
to be abandoned, and today workmen are en-
gagged in removing the scaffolding and taking
1t TO the ground above until the food danger is
passed.
BIG CROP OF ICE GATHERED.
The large pulp mills above here shut down
some time ago on account Of the severe
weather and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
ice from Lake Quiglev. which supplies the mill
power. The ice was clear as crystal and its
thickness averaged nearly two feet. The canal
water has been drawn of since before the cold
weather. but there is u solid bed of ice in 1t now
and a freshet. II is feared, would pu. the water
places Of safety and it is thought there would
not be 30 many of them destroyed as there were
during the last flood.
Below here. at BrunswicK. early last week
six-horse team drawing load of wheat crossed
the river on the ice and reached the Maryland
side without crashing through into the water
p In tine Shenandoah valley, III the vicinity
Of Strssburg and Winchester the fall of snow
has been heavier than In this neighborhoOd
and plenty of II remains on the mountain sides
aad on the farm land. and when the melting
begins in earnest it will help to swell the river.
WARM RAIN WOULD MAZE TROUBLE.
A warm rain continuing several days, it is
thought, is the only thing that will cause a
freshet- The warm weather during the past
week no. only carried away the snow from the
but it also put supply OF water on
the ice and started the rotting process. The
ice became SO rotten that i'll several places
breaks were noticeable, and it only wanted a
swift current TO break the ice from shore to
shore. This, however. WAS impossible because
of the low water in both rivers. The water has
been extremely low for this season of the year
and up To this morning showed no signs of ris-
ing. Mr.. q. Il. Marquette, the operator. in the
employ Of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. i, in
with the signal Office and is
keeping them advised Of the condition Of affairs
along the river front.
DIR. p. II. Cavalier, the druggist, on the main
street, has been In business here Tor q number
of years and has had occasion to take special
notice OF the condition of the river. He has
been watching the ice and snow and studying
the matter carefully. and from his observations
ne thinks there will be no food unless there is a
warm rain soon, and then he thinks Il will have
to last some time to cause a food.
An EXPERIENCE OF FOUR YEARS AGO.
During the food four years ago he said the
Nhter was higher than it ever was before Then
there a rise Of thirty-six feet in the river
and there was six feet of water in his store
When the water got in the street he had a
scow tied TO his house to in case of an
His child zen had been sent up to
Bolivar Heights and his wife remained in the
house until the water covered the floors. Then
she WAS taken across the street on the scow
His brother-in-law was there with him until
late Saturday night. when he, too. decided to
leave. as he could not swim. The doctor re-
manned in the store until the water was up to
his waist end then he had TO go TO the upper
stories OF the house, where he had stored most
of his goods.
The ice on the Shenandoah river has weakened
go much during the past three days that :he
teams can no longer cross on it and the ferry
boa. Is again doing business.