The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-03
UNDER WATER.
Paterson, N. j., Is Now Over
whelmed by Flood.
Hundreds of Families Are Made
Homeless.
BIG FIRE is OUTDONE.
InundatiOn Is i'm the District
Where Live the Poor.
Locomotive Works and Silk
Mills Are Submerged.

SO recently swept by fire. is now over
whelmed by flood Three weeks ago
the greater part ofs it's business section
was burned out, and now the quarter
occupied by the houses of the poorer
class is Inundated. Hundreds of fam
lilies have been made homeless by the
overflow of the Passaic river and the
country for miles around the city is
under water.
So far but one death has been report
cd. The great peril now is that the
Spruce street raceway may overflow, In
which event a great loss of property In
the manufacturing districts is sure 10
enSue. The raceWay supplies water
power for most of the mills along the
water front. At this point the city
authorities have placed expert engi-
neers, who are instructed to touch Off
a blast of dynamite which will open
the channel for the immense volume OF
water held there and by diVertlng 1t TO
the bed of the river in a new direction
the authorities nope to save great
deal of valuable I<operty. In the cliff
about 20 feet below the Spruce street
bridge the experts have placed mines of
dynamite which if it is found necessary
will be exploded.
The fire of three weeks ago, while
causing damage to property to the eX-
tent of nearly $S,000,000, did not create
such suffering and widespread desola-
tion as the flood. The district for mile
along the river front from Spruce street
hill to Straight street, and two blocks
north and five blocks south of the river
nearly half a mile in width, is coV-
cred with water, which in many in
stances reached to the second story II
the dwellings, In this district are situ
ated the Rogers locomotive works and
several silk mills and dye works. Near
by live fully 600 families who have been
driven from their tenementS. Several
hundred of these people were taken
from their homes in boats and barges
amid scenes of much excitement.
An effort to reach Governor Murphy
failed. Acting Mayor Brogan opened
the Fifth regiment armory as tempo
rary residence for the homeless fam
lilies, more than hundred of whom are
housed there. The citizens of Paterson
We're more than generous in their gifts
to the sufferers. Several wagonloadS OF
blankets, clothing and provisions ar
rived at the armory from all quarters
of the city, the most prominent of the
donors being Mrs. Hobart, widow of the
late vice president.
In the work Of rescue one of the most
earnest toilers, Henry Richards, car
eral successful trips, on each of which
he brought three or four persons, his
boat was upset and he was swept away
III the waters which were rushing with
the force of a millrace. He clung to
the branch of a tree for nearly half
an hour. but in spite of many attempts
to reach him, he finally disappeared in
the muddy waters.
Chief of Police F. c. Graul and Fire
Chief John Stagg, We're indefatigable
in their eXertionS for the relief of the
distressed and were ably assisted by the
city employees of every department.
There was a lack of boats to cope with
the emergency and Secretary Dill tele-
phoned to Newark for help in his direc-
ton. This request was quickly answer
ed by the Newark people, who sent
wagon. load of boats, a dozen in all,
which arrived in good time to give ex-
cellent service.
The cry of fire was heard about 1
o'clock Sunday afternoon and it looked
as if the elements were combining to
destroy the city. The fire broke out in
Oates drug store at the corner of Ham
ilton avenue and Main street. The fire.
men, many of whom were helping to
remove the people from the deluged dis
trict jumped to their posts and were
soon hard at work fighting the flames.
There was a brisk wind blowing, but
the blaze was confined to the drug store
building which was burned out. The
loss was estimated at $4,000. During
the three hours that the men were
working another alarm was turned in
but the blaze was insignificant.
On Hamilton avenue near the river
the foundations of two new buildings
were undermined by the flood and the
structures collapsed and were swept
away in the stream. The Arch street
bridge collapsed in the afternoon, the
abutments on both shores being swept
away. All the other bridges are COM
pletely submerged, cutting off communi-
city The boilers and engine rooms of
several of the big mills are ten feet
under water. Many of the mills are
said to be covered by flood insurance
So far the mills are believed to be safe !
and the mai Is loss will be caused by the
enforced cessation of work until the
water recedes.
The danger to the city from the flood
and especially from the raceway was
diminished late tonight. when it was
noticed that the water in the river had
begun to recede. At 1890 it had gone
hope the worst was over
The gas companies which supply the |
greater part of the city with light are
submerged and many households had
to use candles and oil lamps.
The electric light companys plant |
which furnishes the street light is -ar
removed from the flooded section. 50
that the thoroughfares are we'll lighted |
PaSsaic, N J.. March 3--The flood in
the Wellington section seems, to be Slow
ly rising and the whole low lying quar-
ter of the city is submerged. The city
is in darkness owing to the flooding OF
the plant of the electric light company
The Lyndhurst bridge is gone and the
Erie bridge at Riverside and the county
bridges above are in great danger.
Fifty city blocks are under water
varying from few inches to seven feet. |
Two thirds of all the mills are under
water, and the river, which is usually I
800 feet wide. is now three-uuarters OF
a mile wide at Wellington. There have
been several houses swept away in Wal
rngton all in straight line, or nearly
so. and it is thought the river is eating
a new channel through the heart of the
section. Three lumber yards have not
aafoo. Of timber left.
BY the action of water in the MorreH
company's lumber yards, some lime was