The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-08-19


Buildings Carried Away, Farms
Flooded and Much Havoc Done
Generally-Trains Had to Be Sent
Over the Delaware and Hudson and
Erie Tracks Between This City and
Binghamton.
The town Of Nicholson. on the Lack
awanna railroad, twenty-five miles
north of Scranton, was visited by
severe rain storm Saturday afternoon
and evening, the like of which never
occurred before within the recollection
of the oldest inhabitant. Accompany
ing the rain came cloud burst and
lightning flashes, which threw the
townspeople into a frenzy of excite
ment and fear, and when the tumult
was over, the cellars of houses,
barns, streets, sidewalks and lowlands
were completely inundated.
The railroad tracks between Nichol-
son tunnel and the bridge crossing the
Tunkhannock creek for over a mile
were also affected, and the west-bound
track was so badly damaged by the
washout that all the trains were de-
layed in consequence, some of them
being stalled along the line, while
others were, backed up to Binghamton
and run into Scranton over the Erie
and Delaware and Hudson tracks via
iCarbondale.
Train No. 6. due in this city at 452
Saturday afternoon, did not reach here
until els yesterday morning. having
been stalled at Nicholson. This was
due to another washout which occur
rcd on the railroad about two mikes
above Nicholson, where culvert was
damaged by the flood of water.
West bound trains Nos. 3, 3, I, 9, II
and IL left Scranton over the Delaware
ana Hudson, running into Bingham.
ton on the Erie tracks. and east-bound
trains Nos. s, 10 and II came from
Binghamton to Scranton over the
same route. All of these trains were
delayed in consequence. Train No. 3
due in Scranton at 352 p. M, started
out on time and was run up as far as
Factoryvlie. but it was necessary tC
and go out over the Delaware anc
I1uuSpH lldNhS'
FIRST TO co THROUGH.
Train No. %, which left here yester,
day morning at o'clock, was Tho
first one to go through after the wash
out. At Factoryvile it was necessary
to switch the train onto the east -bounC
track in order to get through to Bing
hamton.
lClarke and Superintendent +. NJ. Rim,
We're notified of the washout Saturda!
might they sent a force of several hun
dred men up the line To fill in tn,
tracks and repair the damages. TIL,
men worked all night and there ye
remains much filling to be done befor,
the main west-bound track will be il
shape to run trains over.
Just north of the Nicholson tunne
the flood of water rushed down th'
lmountain side and over the tacks al {
terrific rate, carrying with it rock ant
debris that completely cpvered tn
west bound track for a distance o
lseveral hundred yards, and when tn
flood had subsided it was found tha
the roadhed had been washed out a
many places along the line.
The water poured down over tn
rocks and bluffs at that point in i'm
mense volume. and resembled the fall
of Niagara to certain degree. Whe
the force of the flood was spent tn
farm lands below the tracks presente
a sorry picture. Trees and brush wer
gathered in the waters course an
several small buildings were sepa
rated from their foundations and car
ried down the stream and into tn
Tunkhannock creek.
The force of water rushed agains
the bridges between Nicholson an
Factoryville and washed several q
them down the stream. For a dis
tance of several miles on either sid
of the railroad at Nicholson the cree
overfowed to such an extent that ad
jacent farm lands were flooded owe
for distance of from 80 10 200 fee
and much farm truck was destroyed.
The water in and along the cree
carried away several small buildings
three cows, a buggy and lot c
chickens.
Between the bridge and the tunn,
the railroad bed suffered the mos
Several large rocks, railroad ties an
tons of earth We're washed over III
tracks and dumped into the gulley be
. low.
: CELLARS FLOODED.
Probably the most damage done h
the flood in Nicholson was in the V
Cinity of State and Oak streets, wher
the cellars in the houses occupied by III
Packer, Connell, Morgan. Blakesle
Fredenberg and stephens families Wei
flooded. on Oak street yesterday II
water was still quite deep, reachin
= up TO the porches OF several house
and the vacant lot owned by DR.. Kel
was completely inundated.
! The lot adjoining the Nive house Wa
also covered over and the ma
, who operated a merry 60 round, shoe
ing gallery and other amusements
r that point was compelled to vaca
his tent by the high tide.
Evidences of the storm were anna
ent also on every road leading out
, Nicholson, and persons who started o,
!, for adjacent places were compelled
turn back on account OF the bridg
p being washed away.
1t was reported that a woman n,
~ child were rescued from a second sto
h window on the low lands but III
could not be verified when inquiry w
/. made yesterday. Many of the peor
n were compelled to remain indoor
however. by reason of the flood, al
It those who ventured out had to wa
l. through the water.
on oak street the water was a ia