The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-11
Fourteen of the Twenty
one Bridges in Front
of the Town Have Been
Carried Away-Fam-
lies Homeless.
Outbreak of Diphtheria
in Deluged Districts
Adds to Horror of
Situation Two Chill
dren Succumb.

PATERSON. n. J.. Oct 1O.-Paterson
is tonight in grave danger. and before
tomorrow's sun rises large portion OF
the stricken city may be washed away
by a food which at present covers many
Of the principal streets. and dashes
against the foundations of the mills.
factories. and other structures which
line the Passaic River front. Rain is
again falling heavily. and the citizens
are in state bordering on frenzy.
The big retaining wall OF the hume
which supplies water to many Of the
mills. still holds. and the religious
people Of the town are praying that it
may be strengthened. for if it should be
carried away. the ensuing food will
leave death and destruction in its wake.
Fourteen Bridges Gone.
Fourteen Of the twenty-one bridges
which spanned the river in front Of the
city have been carried away. six having
gene today. Hundreds Of acres OF low
lands, both above and below the city. are
under water. while nearly two hundred
families are homeless. A conservative
estimate OF the total loss is s.. 500. COO.
while minute by minute this sum is be-
ing augmented.
Dynamite. It is reported. is being laid
at the Dundee Dam, mile and half
north of the city. so that it can be blown
up and thus relieve the reservoir. The
gas houses which supply the city homes
and business structures with light are
out OF business. while the electric light
plant which is used for street lighting
purposes is in great danger.
Reservoir in Danger.
The Totowa reservoir. half a mile
west of the city. which forms large
factor in the city water supply. is liable
TO collapse. II is located on a hill
half mile west of the city. and large
force of men IS at work trying 10
stem the flood. Should the water es-
cape. It would flow into the Passaic
River without doing serious damage. as
tons Of dynamite have been planted in
position to explode at a moments no.
tice. so that the great volume OF water
would be detected into another channel.
thus saving many factories from de-
struction.
- ro.o.,,o.f,-a xorr-s at the
foot OF Spruce Street. are threatened.
as is the entire heart of the city. The
Broadway Bridge of the Hudson River
Trolley Company was carried away this
afternoon. putting a stop to travel on
this line. which was from Paterson to
125th street. New York.
Electric Plant Threatened
The Broomsead Silk Mil. on the bank
OF the river at West Street. which was
destroyed last spring. has been again
partially carried away. The water IS
within foot of the fires OF the Ediso
Electric Works. and desperate fight is
being made to keep the fires going. The
relief fund started by Mayor Hinchlife
this morning. tonight amounts to over
$. .OoO Over 800 refugees. whose hor-e
were swept away. are housed in
Hall and are being fed by the
An unknown man was dro'
falling cut of a second story
West Street this evening.
crusher OF McKirnan & Berssa =
pany. was whirled down stream this af-
torncon. TIE Ga.de wiedmann Dye
shops are in danger Of being swept away.
( Al outbreak Of dlphtheria has occur
red in the flooded districts and James
Leah and James Tattersall. two chill
dren. have already died from the NAL
ady.