The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-05-23
WILLIAMSPORT'S WOE.
The Property Loss Will be as
Great as in 1889,
BUILDINGsIN DANGER OF FALLING

Dozens Of Families Of Poor People Have
Lost All They Possessed, and Measures
Of Relief win be Pushed Rapidly-Bus-
iness Rapidly Resuming.
WmLIAMsPoRT, Pa, May 2s.-As the
waters recede the havoc wrought by the
flood is becoming more and more appar-
ent, and careful investigation proves that
the loss TO property will be as great as IL
was in 1899. Dozens of families among
the poorer people of the city have lost all
they had in the world, and almost every
one has lost something. In fact, so wide
spread is the damage that 1t is impossible
to particularize. The greatest havoc was
wrought at Newberry, three miles out OF
this city, where the Reading depot was
completely wrecked and every house in
the place was from six to twelve feet un-
der water.
In the CITY proper the foundations of
many of the largest buildings in the city
are found to have been so greatly weak
ened as to be unsafe. In the case of the
Pine Street NJ, e. church the foundation
of the steeple has been impaired 80 that
the structure may fall at any time. These
facts are causing great uneasiness as
many u1dblAH ItbulhNu lIbln ldlllllk DullAl-
ings after the previous floods. 1t is again
reported that several persons are missing,
who it is feared have been drowned, but
the only specific case thus far is that of
William Long, who has not been seen
since Sunday morning.
The losses in the farming districts have
been very great, and reports from all the
surrounding towns bring tales Of the loss
- 10 % Ali 81 1..c, ,,,J
lumber swept away in the roaring torrent,
The river, which has fallen rapidly, is
now about stationary, and is running rap
idly. The business portion of the city Is
out of water, but that part which lies
north of the Reading railroad station and
some portions sf the east and west ends
are still partly submerged. Active prep
arations are in progress to resume bust
ness, hand engines aud ali manner Of
pumps being pressed into servics to clear
the cellars and lower hoors of water.
The most exciting soenos OF the food
were during Monday night. Hundreds Of
boats manned by the rivsrmen moved
swiftly through tho streets, stopping at
every turn in response bo appeals for help
20 takO from second story windows the
women and children whose lives were in
great danger. The boats were not plenty
enough, for many hundreds found their
way out by jumping on floating sidewalks.
Others waded with the water up 20 their
necks, carrying the women and children
from the dangerous localities, and acts of
heroic devotion 60 suffering humanity
were performed everywhere.
The railroad officials have been equally
active, and facilities for travel are again
In their normal condition on the Philadel-
phia and Erie. The Northern Central be
tween this city and Canton is in bad
shape, and the Fall Brook and Beech
Creek roads are In such condition that
traffic cannot DO resumed for several days.
Tho Reading will scarcely be able to do
much WillisnSport service for at least
week, owing to the loss of the bridge at
Muncy. The PhilAdslphia and Erie will
probably handle Reading trains beyond
Muncy until the bridge Is rebuilt.
Mayor ElliosS has called a meeting for
this afternoon, Rt which steps viii be
taken to provide for those who are in i'm
mediate need. The electric lights are still
out, and the city is IN darkness, but as the
river recedes into its channel an present
discomforts are forgotten in the general
feeling Of thankfulness that it is no worse