Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-08
Damaging and Disagreeable
Effects of High Water.
N. g. w. R. R. LOSES A SUIT
Tax Assessment sIndo by Bonrd of
Public Works on Railway Com.
pnny's Tugs mud Enrgea at Norsolk
Carried 10 Court whore Former
Wins Norfolk Typographical
Union Files Label.
Especial to virginlan-Pllot.)


Richmond, Va, March failing
waters all day to-day relieved popular
apprehension regarding conditions in
the James, but did not help the situa-
ton very great deal.
The water receded from some of the
streets, and there was assurance that
it would not come back, but the cell
lars were left full to OVERLOOKING and
the streets and sidewalks recently sub
merged, bore n coating OF disagrceable
slime.
The water did not fall fast enough
to relieve conditions at the Gas Works,
and while 1t receded sufficiently to per-
NIT the lighting Of the fires. citizens
who depend upon gas for light, had
dark homes last night, OF used petro-
Ieum or candles.
Telegraphic communication along the
line of the James River Division of the
Chesapeake and Ohio was interrupted
all day. Lynchburg could be reached
only -by-way of Cliften-4refge. The
wires were down between that city and
n point not twenty miles west of Rich
mond.
The snowfall was general all over the
State. ranging in depth from less than
an inch on the coast to three inches
in Richmond. 1t was not much more
than three inches at any point in the
State. There was naturally n fear that
the melting SHOWS would swell the
river into a. freshet, and cause the re-
newal of conditions which the assuag-
ing of the waters was relieving. The
drop in temperature dissipated such
apprehensions. The assurance of con-
tnued fair weather makes 1t certain
q 40 ri will Il tn
point even remotely dangerous.
Conditions Tomorrow will be very
greatly improved. All the water will be
out OF the streets. First floors will be
occupied as usual. even though the eel
lars be full of James river water
There Will be plenty of gas. Street cars
Will make schedule time. Topographic
lines will be working. Railway trains
Will begin to move over tracks recent
ly hidden by the turbid waters Of the
angry James.
NEGROES CAMPING OUT.
Newton. colored settlement, lying
between Gillle's Creek and the govern
ment Road, Is completely submerged by
the overflow in the river.
Only the chimneys of the houses are
visible and the foaming waters roam
at will through the untenanted rooms,
while chairs, baby-cradles and broom
sticks float in eddying curves around
the dwellings and rush down the turbid
tide.
The houses are almost nil owned by
the negroes who inhabit them, and their
loss will be great.
Before the water surrounded the
houses the negroes moved to the high
ground, where they are now camped
along the York River railroad line.
Much suffering existed among them
during the night and to-day, but an
effort is being made to quarter them in
the old kings mill property until the
storm is over.
TRAIN STOPPED.
The; train on the York River line
came UP this morning as far as the gov
eminent road, where -nassengers
were transferred to carriages and
omnbuscs and brought to the city.
Fulton is entirely cut off except round
by the government road, the water
being this morning I'D in Nicholson
street.
IMPAIRED CAR SERVICE.
The snow storm and water combined
operated considerably against the two
electric COMPANIES to-day, but they
managed to make fairly good schedules,
everything considered. The Broad
street cars were somewhat hampered
In the early morning, but managed a
little later to make schedule time from
end to end of their lines. The old
company had more serious obstacles to
contend with, both on it's Main and
Clay street lines. Water covered Main
street to u depth OF three feet between
FIFTEENTH and Seventeenth, and on
FranlSlin. between the same points. il
was even worse. A system OF trans
fers was established and some kind of
schedule was maintained
The scarcity of gas compelled the
Leader.the afternoon paper of this city,
TO use temporary gasoline contrivances
Tor heating the metal for the type
setting machines. One of tho morning
papers Is using the same, but the Dis
patch has n patent device that is work
ing well. Gasoline and petroleum fur
nish the heat.
a NORFOLK CASE.
The Supreme Court OF Appeals con-
vened to-day, and considered several
cases of Importance. A case involving
several important questions was the
Norfolk and Western VS.. the Board OF
Public Works from the Circuit Court
OF the city of Richmond, which was ar
gued and submitted.
The railway company complains that
1t was unjustly assessed for taxation
upon $4,000 worth of property Mt Nor
folk, which included two tug-boats
valued at $4,000, six coal barges, valued
at $4,000; three floats. at $4,000. and one