The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-05-27
DAMAGES
PROPERTY.
A Cecil County Reservoir
Bursts Because of
Heavy Rains.

Elkton, Nd, May 26.--The most de-
structive food in the history of this coun-
ty occurred this afternoon In the Little
Elk Creek, which flows through the Third
and Fourth districts, emptying into the
the Elk River at this point, The creek,
very much swollen by the heavy rains of
yes erday and last. night, had over
flowed its banks, and when for five hours
this morning the rain fell in torrents the
crisis came.
Along the line of the creek are soma
four or five large miil-dams, A large
reservoir was at the Providence Mill own
ed by the Singerly Pulp & Paper Com.
pany.
Inc heaVy rains weakened the banks,
and about ii O'Clock, unable to longer
stand the strain this reservoir gave way
Tho hugo volume of water went roarirI o
and crashing down tho creek, covering the
ioWlands to depth of ten or twelve feet
lifting bridges from their foundations, de-
stroying buildings and carrying with it a
large number of horses, cattle and other
livestock, which were in the meadows
along tho stream. The residents along
tho creek had no warning of the danger,
and before they know it tho flood was
upon them,
some narrow escapes were made, one
family OF colored people being compelled
to seek safety on the roof-top near Har.
vey's mill, while at Marley the water sub
merged several houses. Thu houses on
the cast side Of the Providence mill were
also submerged The mill dam at Hal-
lan's mill, at Lewis 81 Son, Harvey's and
at Marley were carried away. The only
damage done to the Singerly Pulp and Pa.
per Company was tho break in the large
reservoir. Tho machinery in the mill was
not damaged.
At Marley mill. futhor down the creek
tho damage was very heavy Tho large
dam was carried away, together with the
storehouse containing over 1000 rolls of
wall paper, and an iron bridge. This mill
Is owned and operated by c 5. Garrett g.
Son, of Philadelphia. At Harvey's mill
tho dam was carried away and the large
covered frame bridge on the public road
near Chlds' Station was completely swept
from its foundations.
The pasteboard mill Of Harlan & Co.
also suffered. The mill DAM which has
only recently been rebuilt wa; carried
away, together with a large quantity of
stock in trade. An iron bridge at this
point over the county rOad was also
swept away. Two small iron bridges on
tho Lancaster, Cecil 81 Southern Railroad
were lifted from their foundations and
carried away. At Providcdce mill q franc
oiiNso N"o Nie"heu uilu otlcr ullnaSe was
done.
All along the line of the creek cattle and
horses persisted, together with hogs and
chickens, William NJ. Rogers lost over $50
chickens, nine head Of cattle and five hogs.
Some few horses were caught in the flood
and drowned. The creek at this place was
also high. and considerable damage was
done. The largo frame bridge, over 200
feet in length, on tho public road leading
10 Elk Neck, at the Elk Landing, was
broken in two and some lumber at the
Beibert boatyard was carried away
For u time the flood threatened tho
large covered bridge at the red mill. but,
with the exception Of being slightly dam
aged, it stood the strain. The county
roads are badly washed and the county
will suffer to the extent of several thou
sand dollars by the carrying away Of its
bridges. The loss by the flood will aggro-
gate upw ards Of $50 co.