Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-03-03
PHILADELPH
IS IN GRASP
OF FLOOD
CITY is UNDER WATER, STREETS
ARE LIKE RIVERS AND ALL
WATER SUPPLY is
CUT OFF.

PHILADELPHIA. March 1.--What is
said to have been the greatest flood that
has ever been experienced along the
Schuylkill river certainly the most dis
astrous in recent years, tore it's way down
that stream last night and early this
morning and from it's source to its mouth
-12O miles-damage that will reach into
hundreds of thousands OF dollars has been
done.
Thus far only one life has been lost in
: this city. Michael Igols aged "A years,
was drowned at 1880 this morning in the
I kitchen of his home at the Falls of
Schuylkill.
The height Of the flood was reached at
O'Clock this morning when the river,
which had expanded to twice its width,
began to slowly recede. The communica-
| ton by telegraph and telephone with the
| upper part of the river early today was
cut off and information as to the condi-
tions in towns situated on the river banks
| was meager.
The melting of ice and snow, coupled
with heavy rains of the past "a hours in
the eastern section of the state, was the
cause OF the rapid rise in the water.
The flood was anticipated and as a re-
suit much property in the way Of manu-
featured stock and raw material stored in
the buildings along the river banks were
moved to places of safety. Incalculable
damage, however, has been done along
the course of the river in this city.
Several hundred sheep and hogs were
caught in the flood in their pens in the
Abattoir yards and drowhed. The yards
( are located on the west IA nix of the river
above Market street.
When the fiooG began e rise above the
danger mark early last hight, the cattle
were removed to a place of safety. but
before the attendants could reach the
small stock. all We're drowned. Some Of
I &ar, Honf nf This
stock was saved.
Probably the greatest sufferer is the B.
e o. Railroad company, whose track runs
along the eastern shore for a distance OF
about three miles.
This road has abandoned service over
its main line and is sending its through
trains via the Junction railroad which
runs along the western shore just out
side Of the reach of the flood. Its other
trains are being sent from the Sixtleth
street station in West Philadelphia. Inc
company's waiting rooms In the main de-
pot, at Twenty-fourth and Crestnut
streets, were three feet under water, ana
in the train shed the water was as nlgh
as the windows in the passenger coaches.
The Superintendent of the division expect
ed the flood yesterday afternoon ana mao
every movable article taken to the upper
floors of the station. the company 5
tracks are covered with water from Fair
mount Park for distance OF nearly three
miles to South Wharton, where, the tracks
cross the Schylkill river bridge snort
distance below.
THE Delaware extension of the Pennsyl-
vania railroad on the west side OF the
river. which is used for freight, was COW
cred with muddy water as hlgh as Ihe
tops of freight cars.
The lumber yards in parts Of the city
were washed clean of their STOCKS, the
flood CARRYING the lumber down the river
| In great piles. Thousands of tons OF coal
and sand in the yards along the river
banks were swept down the river,
| The CITY waterworks, located In FAR
| mount Park, are under water, compeu-
ing the stoppage of the pumps. IN the VI
cinity of Arch, Race, Vine and CaHowhlh
streets north of Market street. and san
som, Pine and Lombard streets, south OF
Market, the water reached above the
/ first floors of many dwellings.
Horses and mules were removed from
stables along the river and kept standing
I'm the streets all night to await the pass
ing flood.
An incident of the terrible night was the
burning of large frame building at vine
street close to the river. The structure
was filled with lime which began to slack
when the water reached the building and
finally set the place on fire. When the
flames were first seen the water had gone
/ 200 yards east of the building. The hre
department was unable to reach it and the
| building was consumed to the waters
edge.
When daybreak came this morning the
scene along the water was one OF desc
lation, but not one of the dozen schooners
which are tied up at the several wharves'
received severe damage.
Railroad service from this city to
points up the Schuylkill valley on the
Pennsylvania railroad and the Philadel-
phia and Reading railroad which was
abandoned last night, is still suspended.
Between heIe and Manayunk, suburb,
both roads are in good condition, but
north OF that point the tracks are under
several feet of water in many places.
Manayunk suffered greatly from the
| high water. This district in which there
are numerous mills. is a frequent suf-
ferer from floods, but it never underwent
such night as that just passed. The
| water reached to the second story win
dows and it will take some time before
| the mills are in running order. This will
| "a ar,dc NJ mill workers