Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-03-09
PORT DEPOSIT, MD.
UNDER WATER.
The Ice Gorge Breaks and Caus-
es Much Damage Compared
With Other Years.


of this town saw dav break this morn
ing with fearful mien. The terrible
strain Of dire expectancy was apparent
in the nervous disposition of those who
had passed through the ordeal Of 1886,
and were anticipating similar exper-
fence at the present time
At an early hour this morning the
water began hacking into the town
with frightful rapidi,y, and bv II
o'clock the tracks Of the Columbia
railroad were covered with four feet Of
water The food receded. somewhat.
and at o'clock there was rush of
tide, which forced thousands of tons
OF ice into hugh ridge directly in
front of the station. This left an
opening for some of the water to find
its way back into the river.
The churches had 10 dismiss their
congregations without the benediction
being pronounced. Even there are
people who had considerable difficulty
in getting safely out. At the Presby-
terian Church. which is near Rock
Run, the upper part Of the town, a
number of the congregation had to es-
cape out of the back windows and get
to their homes by way of the mountain,
which are above the town.
The ice gorged again, and remained
firm until about go, when the second
break occurred, and very disastrous
one too, the water raising four feet in
less than five minutes. The large ice
cakes came in upon the streets with
the water, humping against the tele-
graph polls and knocking down and
cutting off all telegraph communication
north of Port Deposit The black
smith shop of David Bond at Rock
Run was completely demolished, sew
cral houses were also lifted off their
foundations and n number Of porches
torn from the residences. Most all
the fences and outbuildings belonging
to the residences were also carried
away, and the damage from this alone
il is claimed. will reach at least S.
900.
After the last break, which was at
2.30, it was no uncommon thing to see
people being taken from the upstairs
windows. In the middle Of the town
the people were wading around with
gum boots helping to get out the oc-
cupants who had unfortunately been
caught by the sudden rush of water.
Mrs. Atkinson, an aged lady, heard
the cry that the water had started to
run, and attempted TO escape from her
home, but before she could reach a
place of safety she was caught in the
middle OF the street and knocked
down. She was somewhat injured and
had to be carried TO neighbors house
on the opposite side Of the street.
John Rennard's wife and child, who
were sick in bed, had to be taken from
their home in boat Mr.. Rennar,l
has not been resident of the town
very long and did not understand the
situation and had very little prepara.
ton for the sudden burst Of the water.
Possibly the most peculiar incident
was that of Mr.. Fiizgerald's family.
who were in the house at the time oil
the break. The ice broke through
the windows and jammed up against
the doors So that it was impossible to
get them open. and thus kept the
inmates from escaping for considerable
time
The tracks Of the Port Deposit and
Columbia Railroad are piled full oi
large cakes Of ice, and will delay travel
for number of days. DIR Crothers
and several other prominent citizens
stated that this was the most disastrous
flood that has occurred in the towns
history. The gorge at this writing ha,
By no means left the river, and further
is expected.
At 1 o'clock this morning Superin-
tendent Brooks, of the Philadelphia,
Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad
succeeded in getting through to this
point with special.
Enormous hulks OF ice are plentiful
between here and Lapidum, and those
who are in position to Judge say that
the worst is vet to come Profting
by previous experiences. the people
have made all manner of preparations
for instant flight. Back fences have
been taken down and upon almos;
every porch can he seen boat, ready
to he launched when the fateful
moment arrives. Carpets have been
taken up and furniture removed to a
place of safety. Everybody has laid
in stock OF provisions in case Of Il
long siege.
When it is considered that similar
preparations were made month ago,
those not acquainted with the condition
OF affairs might think these prepara-
tions somewhat premature. But the
lessons Of the past have not been
forgotten by the people of Port Deposit
They well remember how, in 1856, the
flood came with mighty rush and
without a moments notice At tha,