New-York tribune., 1902-03-04
DANGER ABOUT OVER NOW.
MANY MORE FAMILIES TAKEN FROM
FLOODED HOUSET.

Paterson. y. !. March 3 (speciaD.-The water
in the Passaic River IS subsiding today at the
rate Of three quarters OF an inch an hour. ac-
cording TO the measurements Of the Cast Jersey
Water Company at its dam above the falls II
is rapidly recedng in the flooded district. and
measurements in some Of the streets there
showed that the water had gone down two feet
al o'clock in the afternoon. People are now
breathing easier as all danger Is practically
over
man vas drowned this afternoon at the
Weasel bridge. He was in q farmers wagon
with another man. who was driving. and they
tried TO cross 10 this city. The bridge is sub
merged about three feet and the railing has
heen carried away by the wreckaee in the river.
The wagon got on to the structure. but the cur
rent was too strong for the horses which stun
bled and fell. The horses, wagon and one OF the
men were carried down the river The driver
jumped from the wagon and managed to strug-
gle back TO the Bergen County side.
A great many more families were taken from
their homes in the flooded district this morning.
as it was with the greatest difficulty that food
could be carried to their houses. They were
taken 70 the armory. where the relief work is
being carried on This work was formally turned
over by the Board Of Aldermen this morning TO
the Central Relief Committed which was or
ganized three weeks ago to meet the distress
caused by the great fire. This committee has
$4,000 left from the subscriptions made to the
fire sufferers, which # will apply the relief OF
families made homeless by the flood
The Board Of Aldermen passed a vote OF
thanks to Mrs. Jennie T. Hobart widow Of
Vice President Hobart for the prompt action
she took 10 relieve the sufferers yesterday She
ordered Lockwood Brothers. the furniture deal
ers, To send all the cots they had in stock to
the armory, and these were used by those who
slept at the armory last night.
There have been innumerable instances Of
bravery in the work Of rescung the people from
their homes as the current in River-st. is al
most strong as in the river.
One Of the most dangerous Of these methods
was that adopted by W. H Mills whose livery
stable is at River and Bank SITS. A number of
families living on the north side Of River-st..
bordering on the river, calling all night
for help. Mr.. Mills and his workmen in the sta
BILE listened 10 these pitiful cries but for long
time could think of no way of succorng the
people.
At last, going to the roof Of the stable they
hurled a rope to the roof of one of the buildings
on the other side OF the street. about fifty feet
distant. This was made fast. and then heavier
ropes. with blocks and tackle were secured be
tween the two buildings. large drygoods
box was rugged up this line. and the
families brought across the street in it,
Fl1iy people were taken INTO tne stable IN tnlS
manner.
Walter Fairclough hraved the torrent in Riv-
er-st. to rescue the families OF Christopher Dean
and Walter Birman. who lived the north side
OF that street II impossible 10 take
boat into the street. Police Sergeants Lord and
Taylor with Fairclough, and they reached
the south side Of River-st. They fastened
rope to a stoop and Faircough took the other
end and plunged into the torrent. After strug
gle he made the other side. and got into the
building occupied by the two families, who were
starving. The rope fastened between the
Two buildings and Fairclough carried the
children and the women by clinging to the
rope Dean and Birman crossed on the rope
themselves.
Ten thousand people have been thrown out of
work by the flood in this city and they will
remain idle for indefinite period. as the dam
age 10 the machinery in the mills cannot be
estimated at present.
The water company has not lost as much as
was thought yesterday. II was learned to-day
that it's big filtration plant. which nearly
finished at Little Falls. was not damaged by
the food. Chief Engineer f. c. Jones arrived
in this city this morning from Little Falls. He
had TO come by the way of the Great Notch.
He says that there were AZ inches of water
over the pumphouse floor. but that damage
Continued fourth maze.