The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-02-18
PORT DEPOSIT NEWS.
The Ice Blockade. A Weeks
Anxiety at the Granite City.
A Lady takes ChlorOform Lini-
ment by Mistake for Cough
Mixturp
PoRr DErosIr. Feb. l6. lsg

PORT DEPOSIT, Feb L. 1898.
For Il week past those of our citizens who live on
the river side OF Main street in this town. have
been duly prepared lor removing in the event
of a rapid rise ot The River. As early a. Friday
night last many removed their furniture to the
second stories of their homes. while boats
conveniently placed, should the gorge suddenly
break and the Hood come. DnSaturlay morning.
from the center ri the town down the ice present
ed the level appearance it has for the last two
months. About the center OF the town the c" f"atcd
around and packed together in huge dirty mass.
Ghis was caused by the muddy water clnging to
the mashed pieces. Here ana there large
cakes from twelve To twenty inches thick edge
This solid mbrokcn body about one mile and IL
quarter wide and two and ahalr long began to
move little before nine o'clock making loud
reports that could lie heard Il long distance 1t
crashed against the wharveS and swept on TO pile
up in immense masses ON the shore below the
town. close 10 the railroad tracks near Mt Ararat
or TO lodge on the flats on the opposite side of the
river. The scene was grand one. On each side
OF the river lowered mountains OF ice which the
sunlight played, bringing forth sparkling figures
OF fantastic shape. Passengers and trainmcn of
passing trains crowded to the platform of the
cars to view the majestic sight The danger Of
the situation was lost sight Of in the beauty of
the scene and all enjoyed it to the utmost
Sunday morning tn c ice remained about the
same. Services were held in all OF the churches
in the morning. Tie river rose some and the ice
at the upper end OF the town moved occasionally
and backed up the water Because OF anxiety by
our citizens who felt the necessity of looking after
their homes and property, no services were held
in the churches at night. Reports from McCaIl'S
Ferry indicated that the great gorge there might
give way.
Monday, Feb. 18th, it rained all day and all
local streams were very high, the Octararo and
other creeks running into the .Susquehanna were
full. The river slowly and some little ice
came down. About midni sht tho ice moved
water flowed on the street at Rock Run in back
yards and Easements OF homes on the west side
of the street from the depot up town The public
school basement had two feet of water in it. which
prevented fire being built and no school mas been
held since.
On Tuesday, Feb. 18th, the water rose over the
railroad from Rock Run to David Bonds black
smith shop. 1t fell little after A. NJ. and
Capt Gilligan's train went to Baltimore about 9
A. NJ. and the only train through town. All
trains from the north stopped at Rock Run and
from the south ut the depot. Passengers, baggage
and mails were transferred from trains by boats
at Rock Run to carriages and thence conveyed to
trains at the depot. At noon there came heavy
rush OF ice and high water above the depot
and IN some of the houses above there. All
movable articles had been taken to places Of
safety, and outbuildings and fences we're upset.
Miss Ida Bradley, the telegraph operator, left
the depot office, as it was not safe for lady to be
there and the office lett in charge OF gentle
men. An office for an operator was established
at the Quarries. Trains only ran to Bank Station
for the balance o. the day. In the evening the
water reached about Is inches and at night
gradually fell.
Wednesday, FEB. 18th, the water was still
slowly falling and at IL n. NJ. it was off the
street at Rock Run, but still on the railroad
track. The railro al company employed a num-
Der OF men and soon cleared the track to the
depot, and with gang at the station and another
working from Rock Run down. cleared the track
and although water was still on he railroad in
some places, in the early afternoon all trains
resumed schedule time. Our citizens are in :ebted
to the officials of the Columbia and Port Deposit
Railroad for their courtesy in communicating in
formation in regard to the condition of the river
and to gentlemanly and efficient railroad
agent MIR. ID. George Wilson for the manner he
attended to the duties OF his responsible position.
The ice is packed in the ri from six to twenty
five feet thick, but with mild weather and no
rain up the river we will have no further
trouble.
On last Sabbath morning Miss Sidney l Heck
art took through mistake some choroiorm
liniment, for cough mixture and was very sick
for a short time. DIR. s. q. Fisher was called in
and administered proper remedies and she was
speedily relieved.
Rev, W. w Ewing, OF Crisfeld has accepted
the invitation oil the official board to become the
pastor OF the Tome Memorial Methodist Episco-
pal Church. inject to the appointing powers OF
the Wilmington Conference which meets at
Middletown Del, next month.
Mr. Walter Gather the noted fox hunter OF this
end of the county with others from the country
brought number OF hounds and gave our
citizens an idea of a fox chase, Mr., John Falls
had secured the fox few days before and his
daughter Miss Lenna Fails turned it loose. Ii
was holed on the Kcavaney farm now owned by
Col. Egcnton I. Hogg.
Quite number of reporters have been in town
during the ice gorge, and glad to say that
those from Baltimore gave more correct report
than we usually get on such occasions. Reporters
for papers north of did not stick so close to the
truth NJ