, 1902-03-06
FLOODS in THE EAST
HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES HOME
LESS.
Paterson, New Jersey, the Chief Suf-
ferer-Railroad Traffic impeded.
Influenza in London.

New York. March 3.-The Hood in
northern New York state Is reported
iii many places to be the worst since
h a OF 1866 Railroad traffic is tied
up and trains between New York and
Rochester are stalled.
In Paterson, New Jersey, the suffer
ing caused by the %inundation TO the
city is more intense thar that occa-
stoned by the eight million dollar fire
of three weeks ago.
From all parts of the flooded section
cone reports of disaster and only in
Philadelphia, Pittsburg and Allegheny
is the situation improving.
The floods along the line of the New
York Central x Hudson River railroad
are interfering extensively with traf-
fic, according to reports given out mt
h Grand Central station In this city.
No through trains for the West We're
being despatched in the afternoon and
evening. The 3:35 p. m. train for AL
bany left on time, but went only TO
Hudson. No passengers would be
taken beyond the point. rs bridges are
down and tracks washed away be
tween Hudson and Albany.
Fort Plain. y. Y, March 3.-Thc
hamlet of SPEAKERS, six miles east OF
here, has been almost entirely wiped
out by the combined forces of water
and fire. SPEAKERS Is made up of fifty
families, and has been under water
for two days. Great masses of ice
came down the river II struck the
houses. some of which were so shaken
that stoves were overturned and the
dwellings were burned.
Paterson, n. j.. March 3.-'rhis city,
so recently swept by fire. Is now over
whelmed by flood. Three week ago
the greater part of Its business section
was burned cut and today the quar-
ter occupied by the houses of the poor
er class Is Inundated. Hundreds 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 re.
ported.
The great peril now is that the Spruce
street raceway, which supplies water
power for most of the mills along the
water front, will overflow. This would
cause great loss to the manufacturing
district. Expert engineers have placed
dynamite below the Spruce street
bridge and If necessary it VIII he
touched of. This will open n new
channel for the immense volume of
water held there and diverting 1t, save
II good deal of property.
The fire of three weeks ago, while
causing a damage TO property TO the
extent of nearly SS.OOO.OOO. did not
creatc such suffering and widespread
desolatiOn us the flood of to-day. The
district for IL mile along the river
front from Spruce street hill to
Straight street, and two blocks north
and five blocks south of the river, near
ly half n 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 locomotive works and sev.
eral silk mills and dye works. Nearby
live fully 600 families who have been
driven from their tcnements. Several
hundred of these people We're taken
from their houses in boats and barGcs
amid scenes of much excitement.
Tonight more than n hundred
homeless families are sheltered in the
Fifth Regiment armory. Citizens
from all parts of the city have poured
in loads of blankets, clothing and pro
visions. City employees of every de
partment worked like beavers in Their
efforts to relieve the distress. There
was a lack of boats to cop with the
emergency and II wagon load was sent
ovcr from Newark in good time To give
excellent service.