Evening star., 1902-03-01

i'm the eastern section of the state. was the
cause of the rapid rise in the water
few days ago the Schuyikil went up rap
idly. then began to fall slowly. The ter
rifle rainstorm Of yesterday. however, sent
1t up again.
Flood Was Anticipated.
The flood was anticipated and as result
much property in the way of manufactured
stock and raw material stored in buildings
along the river banks was moved to places
of safety.
Incalculable damage, however has been
done along the course of the river in this
city. The water came within rev rect
of the lower giTders Of the city bridges
and swept back from the wharf lines for
three blocks in some places, surrounding
dwelling houses. great manufacturing
plants. inundating railroad tracks: ana
causing Il chaotic condition that VIII take
many days to eradicate.
Several hundred sheep and hogs We're
caught in the flood in their pens in the
abattoir yards and drowned me wards
are located on the west bank OF the river
above Market street When the flood be-
gan to rise above the danger mark carly
last night the cattle were removed 20 a
place of safety. but before the attendants
could reach the small stoch an ""rc
drowned Some of the cattle, too, were
lost but most of this stock was saved.
Damage to B. and o. Road.
timore and Ohio Railroad Company, whose
tracks run along the eastern shore for
distance of about three mics. This road
has aba ndoned service over its main line
and is sending it's through trains via the
junction railroad, which runs along the
western shore just out of reach of the
flood. Its other trains are being sent from
the 10th street station in West Philadel-
phia. The coEnpanyS waiting rooms in the
main depot. at .4th and Chestnut streets,
We're three feet under water. and in the
tTainshed the water was as high as the
windows of the passenger coaches. Ihe
superintendent of the division expected the
flood yesterday afternoon and had every
movable article taken to the upper floors
of the station. The cOmpanys tracks are
covered with water from Fairmount Park
for distance of nearly ~--ree miles south
to Wharton street, where the tracks cross
the Schuylkill river bridge, short distance
below.
The Delaware extension of the Pennsyl-
vania railroad. the west side of the
river, which is used only for freight. was
covered with muddy water as high as the
tops of freight cars.
Lumber yards in most instances were
swept clean Of their stock, the flood car
rying 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 water works located in Fair
mount Park are under water, compelling
the stoppage of the pumps. In the vicin-
ity of Arch Race. Vine and Callowhill
streets north of Market street and Sam
son, Pine and Lombard streets south Of
Market, the water reached above the first
floors of many dwellings. The residents in
these sections passed an anxious night. It
their houses
into the rushing water at any moment
Numbers of them removed household ef-
fects in boats to safer places. Horses and
mules were removed from stables along
the river, and kept standing in the streets
all night to await the passing Of the food
A portion of the downtown section of the
city was in darkness all night owing to
the flooding of electric light power
house.
An incident of the terrible night was the
burning of a 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 fire. When the
flames were first seen the water had gone
200 yards east Of the building. The fire de-
partment was unable to reach 1t, and the
building was consumed to the waters edge.
Scene of Desolation.
When dawn broke this morning the scene
along the river was one Of desolation. There
was ueStTGCllOH TO De seen on every SlQe,
and as the water receded thick layers of
mud and piles of debris were left behind.
Several tugs and barges were left resting
on wharves. where they had hoated during
the height of the flood. Not one of the
dozen schooners, however, which are tied
up at the several wharves, received serious
damage.
The east and west drives Of Farmount
Park are under water to the depth of sew
eral feet.
Railroad service from this city to points
up the Schuykill valley on the Pennsyl
vania railroad and the Philadelphia and
Reading railway. which was abandoned last
night. is still suspended. Between here ami
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 sufferer from
floods but it never underwent such a night
as that just passed. The water reached to
the second-story windows. and it will take
some time before the mills are in running
order. This will affect thousands OF mill
workers.