Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1903-10-16
FLOODS|K NEW JERSEYC|T|ES
CITY OF PATERSON UNDER WA
TER-GREAT DAMAGE DONE.
Several bridges Washed Away-Big
Mills Flooded and Thousands of
People Thrown Out Of Employment
Damage to Property viii Reach
Into the Millions.

Paterson, N. j., Oct. 12.-Flood con-
ditions here improved but little
throughout the night. Early morning
saw the waters at their maximum,
and, although the danger to life and
property still is great, there was a
general feeling of relief today because
of the fact that several of the bigger
retaining walls and water gates had
been able to Withstand the rush OIL the
flood. Throughout the day hundreds
of men, under the superintendency OF
Mayor Hinchliffe, were at work
strengthening these walls and gates.
Scores Of persons were rescued from
their homes. A great many houses
collapsed, and many more are ready
to collapse, but 1t is believed that
, there has been little loss of life.
For nearly 4S hours Paterson has
been at the mercy Of the Passaic riv-
er. The waters have maintained q
height sufficient to cut the western
half of the city from the eastern, and
almost all means Of communication
by bridges have been destroyed. Two
bridges above the falls remain, but
approach to them is impossible. Three
bridges below the Valley Of the
Rocks still stand, but it is impossible
to live in reaching them.
Seven other bridges in the city
have been carried away and their loss
is 100000. The inundation of the
low lying districts Of the city has re-
suited in inconceivable damage to
property. The food, however, is be-
ginning to recede.
Besides the buildings that fell to-
day, many others have been under
mined, and IL they do not fall, they
will be at least untenable. Spruce
street hill is falling away, and only
little more than two feet of dirt and
stone separate the falls basin from
the big black race through which mill
ions of gallons Of water are rushing
every hour. The gatehouse is in a
very weakened condition and is liable
to 60 If Spruce street hill breaks much
more.
Major Hinchliffe regards the situa-
tions as most critical.
The damage to mill property is
chiefly from the submersion Of por-
tions of the plants and great quanti-
ties of products. Thousands Of men,
employment for long time. and 1t
seems altogether probable that this
flood will cause to the city Of Pater-
son a greater direct loss of money
and property than the fire Of nearly
two years ago. The gross loss then
was $6,000,000, with an insurance Of
more than $4,000,OO0. The loss today
is estimated at considerably more
than $2,0O0,0O0, with no insurance.
At Trenton.
Trenton, N. j., Oct. 22-The extent
Of damage done by the flood in this
section is now beginning to be fully
realized. At least six and possibly
all nine of the wagon and foot bridges
across the Delaware river between
this city and Easton, Pa have been
carried away.
Floods Receding.
New York, Oct. 14-With reports
OF receding foods received today from
all quarters, Paterson, Passaic and
the other water swept towns of New
Jersey are relieved of further peril,
and are beginning now to get clear
idea of the extent of the devastation.
In Paterson alone the damage to prop
erty is estimated at $2000,000, with
out taking account of the loss in
wages to the thousands who have
been temporarily deprived of occupa-
tion by the shutting down of factories.
Explored the Philippines.