The age-herald., 1902-03-03
Paterson, \, ], Partly Sub- merged and 500 Families
 Homeless.
LOSS OF LIFE IS SMALL
Swollen Rivers Sweep Over PennsyI- vanla Cities Leaving Stretches of Ruin and Devastatlon-Com-
 munication Restored In South


 Paterson, N. J., March 2-The city so recently swept by fire is now over whelmed by flood. Weeks ago the greater part of it's business section was burned out and today the buildings occupied as homes of the poorer class is inundated. Hundred of families 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 reported. Before the river began to fall tonight it was feared that the Spruce street race way might overflow, in which event a loss of property in the manufacturing district would have ensued. At this point the city authorities applied to ex- pert engineers, who were instructed to touch off a blast of dynamite which would open a new channel for the inn mense volume of water held there and by diverting it to the bed of the river
  of valuable property. The fire of three weeks ago, while causing damage to property to the extent of nearly 100000. did not create such suffering and wide spread desolation as the flood of today. The district for a 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 covered with water, which in many instances reached to the second story of the dwellings. In this district are situated the Rogers Locomo- tive Works and several silk mills and dye works.
 600 Families Homeless.
 Nearby live fully 600 families. who have been driven from their tenements. Several hundred of these people were taken from their houses in boats and barges amid scenes of excitement This afternoon Mayor Brogan opened the Fifth Regiment armory as a temporary residence for the homeless families, more than hundred of whom are housed there tonight, In the work of rescue one of the most earnest toiers, Henry Richards, carpenter, lost his life. His boat was upset and he was swept away.
 The cry of fire was. heard about 1 o'clock in the afternoon, and it looked as if the elements were combining to destroy the city. However. the fire. which was in Oates drug store, was con fined to one builolng with loss of 5000. 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. All the other bridges were completely sub merged. The boiler and engine rooms of the several big mills are ten feet under water.
 Wilkesbarre Under Water.
 Wilkesbarre, Pa, March 2-Nearly one- half of the city is under water. At West Moore, Firewood and Riverside nearly all residents vacated their houses. The water had reached the first stories and was gradually going up te the second. Those who fingered too long had to be removed in boats. The people living on River and adjoining streets which Is the prin- cipal resident portion of the city, were hemmed in by the water and are unable to leave their homes unless by boat
 All the streets in West Pittson are under several feet of water.
 Two hundred families living in the low lands in the town of Plymouth had to leave their houses hastily this afternoon, the water covering the first floors and putting out the fires. The body of Miss Rowland, who died this afternoon, had to be removed from the premises on the boat, as there was danger of the house being carried away. Dr. w. J. Butler had to be rowed in a boat to house at Riverside to attend a woman, who shortly sfterward gave birth to a child.
 Nine lives have been lost so far. The casualties for the past twenty-four hours are three. The property loss is already estimated at $1,OOO.0OO.
 Wheeling in Danger.
 wheeling, w. Va, March 2.-Wheeling tonight is in the grasp of the worst flood if has experienced since that of 1884 with b,t one exception. The maximum stage was reached at o'clock this afternoon, A feet inches. and the decline Is expect ed to begin at midnight In Wheeling. Rellair. Benwood, Martins Ferry and Bridgeport, scores of factories have been entered by the waters. fires extinguished and 10000 men thrown into idleness that will continue until Monday night or Tues 
 wheeling Island Is two-thirds covered by water tonight and fully 800 families are occupying the upper floors of their homes South Wheeling and Benwood were hit fully as hard
 Piers Washed Away.
 Harrisburg, Pa., March 2-The second and third piers of the famous old Camel hack bridge on the Harrisburg side were washed away by high water early today. The bridge was built in 1916 and was probably the oldest bridge across the Sus- uuehanna river. Several large plants in South Harrisburg have been forced to close.
 South Harrisburg is under water and many of the families in that locality are living in the upper stories of their homes. Last night 200 persons sought safety in the school house at Lochiel
 Above Danger Line.
 Cincinnati, March 2.-Reports from the upper Ohio Valley tonight show the river rising from Wheeling to Ripley and above the danger line at all intermediate points. Observer Basseller of this city, reported to the weather bureau at Washington to- night as follows:
 'The Ohio river in the upper district is above the danger line. It will pass the danger line at Cincinnati (dfty fseD C.