VOL. 37. BLOOMSBURG, PA. THURSDAY, MAKCII 6, 1902. NO. 10 DISASTROUS FLOODS. Congressman Polk Dead, BEN GIDDING. Streams Swollen by the Heavy Rains and the Melting Snow From the Hountains, Bring Dire Results. Water, Water, One of the most destructive floods that has ever occurred in this part of the country reached here on Sunday. Heavy rain fell last week, and this . melted the snow in the mountains and swelled all the small streams tributary to the Susquehanna River into raging torrents. Fishingcrcek reached its greatest heighten Friday afternoon and even ing. Every inch of land, for the width of a b'ock, on both sides of the stream below the Red Rock bridge was completely submerged, and the wildest excitement prevailed. The sudden leap in the stream and the painful uncertainty as to when and where it would end was sufficient to drive the residents, especially the female portion, to excitement that bordered on frenzy. Two of the first houses to suffer from the awful in rush of water, are located on the north side of First Street in the Ralston addition, and occupied by William Marteeny and J. H. Gross. The water poured in on every side, and the oocupants becoming alarmed for fear that they would be flood bound in their homes, decided to move out. A horse and wagon was promptly called into service, and the goods from the Gross house were all conveyed to a place of safety. In the meantime, willing hands were carry ing out the furniture from the Mar teeny house. When evening arrived, both buildings were empty, and the frightened families joined the throng of sight seers, who watched the raging torrents from the Red Rock bridge. A dozen or more other families in the Ralston addition, suffered more or less from flooded gardens, or submerg ed cellars. Out at the power house of the Bloomsburg Water Works, Friday afternoon the water was up almost level with the floor and for a time it was feared that the water supply of the town would be affected. Fears, however, were settled, when at mid night, or thereabouts, the climax of the stream's wild behavior was reach ed, and a fall was perceptible. In Ferndale many cellars were flooded and considerable damage caused. In some basements of houses near the stream the water reached a depth of five feet. By Saturday morning the creek had cone down and was within its banks, By this time the river was showing the effects of the storm, and began to rise lapidly. Higher and higher it rose nntil it was up to the mark it reached a few weeks ago, and still it did not stop, but gradually rose until it was twenty-eight feet above low water nark. The entire Hat below town was covered with water, and every farm house was cut off from communication except by boat. Along the river road are the farms occupied by Haines Leiby, Arthur Pursel, Stanley Bryfogle and the family of Urbanus McBride. Their cellars were all full of water, and Mr. Leiby moved out. At Bryfogle's house the water was within a foot of the first floor. Some damage was done at his green houses, all the low beds being under water. The fire under the boil ers was extinguished, but they were able to fire up again on Monday night so that no damage was done by freez ing. At Keiter's Mill at Rupert the water was nearly up to the second floor. At the Boone farm house the family were obliged to move to the second floor. All the low lands extending from the river to a point near Third street including the fair grounds of the Co lumbia County Agricultural Society, were covered with water to the depth of several feet, and in some places people had to be rescued in boats. This was the case in Magee Avenue. All the houses were flooded, the water covering the first floor, and the occu pants, Harvey Gross, D. W. Go der, Clarence Chamberlain and Thomas Auiant with their families were driven Everywhere. out. The houses of James Benscoter, Fred Girton and William Hill in what is known as Keystone Park were also surrounded by water, and they too had to take to higher land making their escape by boats. Magee's Carpet Works shared the sorry experience. Water was several feet deep in the print room of the tapestry department, while the spinn ing mill was similarly affected. All day Saturday, Saturday night and Sunday a lorce o(, men was kept at work pumping out the water, but on Sunday afternoon they were unable to combat against the overwhelming odds, and were compelled to abandon the work. Strict watch was kept on the rise of the water so that if neces sity compelled it, the fires could be pulled from under the boilers. This however, did not have to be done. When the water had backed up in to Magee Avenue to the depth of two feet it was discovered that William Hill's cow would drown if allowed to remain in the stable. An attempt was made to drive the animal to a place of safety, but she took a dislike to the water and refused to go. A rather humorous phase was lent to the situation when she was taken into the house. She occupied the first floor of the dwelling for neraly three days, when the water receded suffi ciently and she was removed. W. E. Hartman who conducts the East Bloomsburg bus line, was able to meet all trains on the Pennsylvania Railroad until the high water prevent ed their running on Saturday. After that time it was utterly impossible to reach the river bridge, as all the roads leading in that direction were flooded to virtual impassability. All traffic on the Lackawanna Railroad was abandoned Saturday. The last train to reach Bloomsburg arrived here Saturday afternoon. The entire train was side tracked, and the passengers were compelled to remain here two days. The tracks below town for probably a mile were cover ed with fonr feet of water. This was also true of the Philadelphia & Read ing railroad. The Bloomsburg & Sullivan rail road Company was able to maintain its schudle of trains every day with the possible exception of Friday when a washout occasioned a delay, and the mail was brought down the line on a hand car. There was a small washout on the road in the vicinity of Central, but this did not impede travel as passengers were transferred. The Columbia & Montour Electric Railway Company comes in for a good share of the loss, which has been ac casioned by this special dispensation ot weather and water. It was with considerable difficulty that the cars were run at all last week, and then they could go only to Espy. The high water on Saturday interfered to such an extent that the service was called off entirely. The road bed below Berwick and also at Lime Ridge was badly washed out, the earth being taken away for a distance ot eighty feet at the first mentioned place, and for forty feet at the other. Notwithstanding a steady down pour of rain on Sunday, and an al together diagreeable north western wind, the interesting sight was wit nessed by hundreds of people through out the day. At the foot of Market street, on the U. L. & W. Railroad opposite the Desk Company's Works, at the foot of Main street, and at many other places where a good view of the flood could be commanded, they braved the elements and watched the waters gradually rise around the homes of the unfortunate ones. Not until the shadows of evening began to fall, did they leave the sight, and then quite reluctantly. , RUPERT OVERFLOWED. ,The deluge at Rupert was terrible. water reached the residence of Lin Continued on page 8 4th Col. "..' 'I 0 C - . ' . 1 ' ' x 2 . - , u' ."v - : t ? . f V Expired Suddenly at Hotel Walton, Philadelphia. The announcement of the death of was received on Wednesday. He died suddenly at three o'clock in the morning. No details have been learned beyond the fact that he was ill the night before, and two physicians were with him. The funeral will be held on Saturday at one o'clock and a special train will bring a committee of Con gressmen to Danville. He was serving his second term in expired on March 4, 1903. He has popular with all classes. A widow and three children survive him. Mr. .Folk was a grand- nephew ot President James K. Polk. REPORT OF THE CONDITION OF THE Bloomsburg Nat'l Bank, At the Close of Business Fcly 25, 1902. (In Business Thirty Months.) RESOURCES. Loans and Investments, -Furniture and Fixtures, Cash and Reserve, - LIABILITIES. Capital Stock, -Surplus and Profits (Net), Circulation, -Deposits, - - - A. Z. Schocii, Pros' t. Read My Ad on sth Page. The Diamonds, Watches and Gold Jewelry Sold by us are hand some and thoroughly first-class in every particular They pre sent a better appear ance and offer a se curity which cannot be obtained from any thing inferior. New and attractive designs for spring are coming in. J. Lee Martin, Jeweler, Telephone 1842. tJCS A special low price is oifered on Rogers' Knives, Forks and Spoons, until I move. " - - 'it ' Hon. Rufus K. Polk, of Danville, Congress, and his term would have made an efficient member and was 351,602.98 8,000.00 59,091.06 $418,691.0-4 $ 60,000.00 35,857.21 59,500.00 263,336.83 $118,691.01 Wm. H. Hidlav, Cashier. Removal ! J. Q. WELLS will remove his hardware store to room now occu pied by Ben Qid ding, about March 9,1902. All goods not in the staple line will be sold at REDUCED PRICES rather than move them. T. Gk "WELLS, General Haedwaee. WE Now Ready For Business IN OUR New Store, Corner Main and Centre Sts. NEW SPRING GOODS COMING IN DAILY. Ben Qidding, THE CLOTHIER, BLOOMSBURG, PENN'A. Come in and see us, we'll treat you right. OOOO ooocoooooooooooo 0 O The Leader New Goods have been coming in every day, and we have never shown such a complete line of up to date, salable articles. All lovers of beautiful novelties will appreciate our dis play of EOLUINES, VOILES, BATISTES, CHALLIES, WASH SILKS, WAISTINGS, WHITE GOODS, TISSUES, PIQUES, DRESS TRIMMINGS, EMBROIDERIES, LACES. Carpets. No matter what your needs are we are pre pared to meet them. Order Now. We are not so busy tliio month as we will be next. Let us make the carpets up this month and lay them by until you need them. The spring stocks are complete and very beau tiful. Carpets sewed without extra charge. Furniture. It is to the profit of your purse to iv. furniture needs some fruitful thought now. The unusual values we are now offering are bound to bring us many newfriend. and attract old ones as well Leader Dep't Store, s Fourth and Market Sts., Bloomsburg, Pa. ooooxoxxxxxxxxxxxxxxoo ARE Deo t Store.
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