The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1902-03-01
RAILROADS UNDER WAFER
Scene of Desolation and Great De-
struction Of Property Was Visible
This Morning Along the Schuykiil
From It's Source to It's Mouth
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Is Said
to Be the Worst Sufferer, Part Of It's
Track Being Abandoned.
(By Associated Press.)

10y AsSOcldteu 1TeSS.J
Philadelphia, March 1.-What is said
to have been the greatest flood that has
ever been experienced along the Schuyl-
kill river, certainly the most destructive
In recent years. tore IT'S way down that
stream last night and early this morning
and from It's source to Its mouth-120
miles-damage that will reach into hum
dreds Of thousands of dollars was done.
There Is great anxiety for night resi-
dents and property owners along the
river. Thus far only one life has been
lost in this city, Michael Igol, aged 43,
was drowned this morning at his home
at the Falls of the 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. Communication
by telegraph and telephone with the up
per part of the river early today was
cut off and information as to conditions
in towns situated along the river banks
was meager.
The melting of Ice and snow, coupled
with heavy rains for the past "a hours
In the Eastern section of the state, was
the cause of the rapid rise in the water.
"A
rapidly, then began to fall slowly. The
terrific rain storm of yesterday, how
ever, sent 1t up again.
It Was Anticipated.
The flood was anticipated and as a re-
suit much property stored In buildings
along the river banks was moved 10
places of safety. Incalculable damage
however, has been done along the course
\, to ntt r1a n nj m
within a few feet of the lower girders OF
the city bridges and swept back from the
wharf lines for three Nocks in some
places, surrounding dwelling houses,
great manufacturing plants, inundating
railroad tracks and causing much dis
order.
Several hundred sheep and hogs were
drowned in the flood In their pens at
the Abattoir yards.
Probably the greatest sufferer Is the
Baltimore g. Ohio Railroad company
whose tracks run along the eastern
shore for distance of about three miles.
Depot Under Water.
This road has abandoned service over
It's 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. It's other trains are
being sent from the Sixteenth street sta
tion, in West Philadelphia. The COM
panys waiting rooms in the main depot
at Twenty-fourth and Chestnut streets
were under three feet of water, and in
the train shed the water was as high as
the windows of the passenger coaches.
The Delaware extension Of the Penn
sylyania road on 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
mont Park, are under water, compelling
the stoppage of the pumps In the vicin-
ity of Arch. Race, Vine and Callow Hill
streets, north of Market street, and San
som, Pine and Lombard, south OF Mar
ket street, the water reached above the
first floors Of many dwellings.
City in Darkness.
A portion of the downtown section
of the city was In darkness all nigh1
owing to the flooding of an electric ligh
power house.
An incident of the terrible night wa'
the burning of large frame building OF
Vine street. close to the river.
The building was filed with lime which
began to slack when the water reached
the building, and finally set the place OF
fire. The department was unable t
reach it and the building was consumed
to the waters edge
When day broke this morning, tbs
scene was one of desoation. Great de
struct.on was to be seen on every side
and as the water receded, thick piles o
mud and piles of debris were left behind
Several tugs and barges were left rest
ing on wharyes were they had foatet
during the heighth OF the flood.
Mills Closed Down.
The east and west drives of Fairmon
park are under water to the depth O
several feet.
Railroad service from this city t.
points up the Schulkill valley on tn
Pennsylvania railroad and the Phiadel
phia & Reading railroad, which wa
abandoned last night, is still suspended
Manayunk suffered greatly from tn
high water. This district, in which ther
are numerous mills, is a frequent suf
ferer from the floods, but 1t never un
derwent such night as that just passed
The water reached to the second stor