Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-12-19
die by hundreds.
FLOOD WAS AT ITS HEIGHT.

Philadelphia, Pa, Dee 17.-Rail-
road service in this State, which was
badly cripp cd by the foods of Satur-
Gay night and Sunday, is gradually re-
covering Its normal condition, and by
this afternoon or. tomorrow morning
trains will be running practically on
time Thousands Of .laburers are at
work today repairing the damage to
roadbeds and bridges wrought by the
rushing wuter. The railroads that
suffered the most damage are the
1.ehigb Valley, Central Railroad of
New jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware,
Lackawsnna & Western and New York
Central. In s9me localities il will be
weeks before the damage is fully re-
paired.
The sweep of water was greater in
some sections than was ever known
before, and bridges that withstooo the
floods OF years were swept away. The
sudden drop in the temperature was
piovidential IN some respects, as it pre-
vented the floods from spreading, but
Ii entailed great suffering on the 9, COO
or more persons rendered homeless by
the obstruction of their houses.
All passengers on stalled trains we're
removed from their uncomfortable
situation last night and this morning
by the railroad companies, and the
trains are now being taken to their
destinations, The Frank Daniels Com 20
Orera Go. which was to have opened a
two weeks engagement at the Broad
Street Theatre last night, did not reach
this city until early this morning,
having been nearly 48 hours in makirg
the journey from Buffalo, whi,h is
ordinarily accomplished In IL houre.
The members of the company sat up
nearly all OF last night, ana were both
hungry and tired when they arrived
here.
In the lower anthracite coal region
the situation is growing worse. Tine
mine workings are thoroughly soaked
with water, and it may he weeks beft re
some OF them can be worked, although
there was n resumption today in a few
mines. 1t 10 estimated that 81, 600 mine
WORKERS and mechanics are idle as o
result Of the foods.
Att Harrisburg 8the Pennsylyan a
railroad officials say traiEs from the
west are now only about two hours late,
and from the north the service is
practically regular. On the Lshigh
Valley and New Jersey Central roads
the service while somewhat improved,
Id still very irregular ana officials say
they will be lucky il passenger traffic
is fully resumed by the end of this
week. A long the lines of both roads
hundreds Of cars loaded with coal are
held up, but there is no danger of
a coal famine, as the companies have
a large reserve supply at tidewater
points. The Reading railway has been
compelled to suspend traffic on Its Lift D
Schuylkill branch betwe zen Port Clinton
and Tamaqua, because OF numerous
washouts and tine loss of a bridge. Jt
will require several days work TO get
the line in working order. and mean :
while the company will be CRAFTY
hampered in the handling of coal and
freight trains.
The weather today is not quite so
cold as yestarday, aud In some sections
snow is falling. Nh.
Various estimates are given of the
money loss entailed by the floods. Con
servative guessers place the logs at
from $1,000, 900 to $5, oO0, 600. 81 lar rs-
ports have been received here Of the
loss of nine lives in various parts of
the State.