Harrisburg Telegraph from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania • Page 1

ICE GORGES ILL HAVE WORST Traction Company's Power House and Lower End of Town Threatened High spire and Steelton Inundated Condi tions this Afternoon "The only hope of escaping the most serious flood ever known in this region is that there should be a break in the gorges in the Susquehanna river below Harrisburg," said Weather Observer Demain at noon to day. The ice at Chickies is piled forty feet high and is backing the water over the lowlands in that region. There are several gorges below Columbia and it is probable that an attempt will be made to break them, up by using dynamite. "There has been no material change the last twelve hours in the lower Susquehanna below the junction of the North and West branches At Sunbury," continued Mr. Demain.

The Juniata and West branches have fallen two and one half feet the last twenty four hours. At Wil liamsport the river is sixteen and one half feet above low water mark, a fall of two and one half feet. The same rate of fall has occurred in the Juniata. "The North branch is becoming threatening at different points above Wilkes Barre. The great gorge above Sunbury is still intact.

At Towanda the river is six inches lower than yesterday. At the headquarters the river has begun to rise and at Binghampton it has gone up 2.2 feet the last twenty four hours. "The movement of ice above Wilkes Barre caused the river to go up nineteen feet above low water mark, although there was a fall of one foot this morning. The rain and warmer weather forecasted for tomorrow is likely to cause a serious flood in the North branch and make more trouble below." Ice Gorge Sixty Feet High There is no change in the Susquehanna ice gorge from Columbia southward, and none of a general character from there to Bainbridge. The river at Columbia was fifteen feet above low water mark this morning rising and falling alternately as the channel beneath the ice gets partly clogged or is enlarged.

There was a shove of the ice at Chickies Bock this morning, which broke the telephone cable belonging to the Columbia Telephone Company. This cable was an inch in diameter and of a single span of 3,200 feet. It was suspended from the top of Chickies Rock to a point on the high cliff on the opposite side of the river and at its lowest poiut was estimated to be about sixty feet above the river. The movement of the ice there was of a purely local character, and is not accepted as an indication that the volume of water is sufficient to force a break in the big jam from Turkey Hill northward. Trolley Service May Fail At 2 o'clock the river was nearly stationary at a height of nearly 22 feet.

Should the river go up a foot or two move in the lower end of 3 he city trolley service over the entire city would 4e suspended, as the river would then be flowing over the fires of the power plant in the lower end, which is now surrounded by water. On account of water in the Market street subway all Hill cars are being run by way of State street. Although Paxton creek is highlittle damage has as yet resulted in the, Sibletown district. While the lower end of town is partly under water comparatively lit 1 1 damage lias as yet resulted. At Clark's Ferry the.

bridges are safe. The river has fallen three feet and the. ice is passing off, starting at 9.10 A. M. Ice on the Juniata began to move at 11.45 o'clock.

Lower End People Spent Night in School House Last night was a sleepless one for hundreds of people in the lower end of the city. In many places cellars are flooded and furnaces cold. Household goods were packed on second floors or carted away and in she vicinity of Lochiel people deserted their homes and a large number of men, women and children spent the night in the Lochiel school building, which was thrown open for their use. During the early evening the flood fell somewhat but did not get below the danger stage. All of the industries in that section have been compelled to suspend with the exception of the Harrisburg Cigar Factory.

The industry is being operated in full to day and has not been seriously affected by the high water. To day the river bank is lined by hundreds of anxious watchers, hoping against hope that the river will not rise. A 26 foot flood would do thousands of dollars tiamage there. At noon the river at that section was running bank full. George McKee is the ictiin of the first serious accident in.

ident to the high water in this city, and he. is now at the Harrisburg Hospital with a badly injured back. He is a driver for the United Ice and Coal Company and resides at 1S29 Margaretta street, and in the hustle of this morning's moving in South Harrisburg was thrown from a hish load of furniture, sustaining severe injuries of the back. Owing to the flooded condition of South Harrisburg no services will be held at the Vine Street Methodist Church. Steelton Mills Quiet and the Water Department Idle Conditions at Steelton were becoming more critical at noon.

During the night, the water which threatened the entire length of Front street receded considerably and all danger was thought past. At. 6 o'clock this morning, however, the water commenced to rise rapidly and covered the entire West Side from Lochiel to the lower end of the town and as far east as Front street with an average of five feet of water. There is no living on the first floors and those, who feared to risk the second floors, have sought higher ground farther east. Great anxiety is felt by owners of property on the West Side, for the effect which up river ice will have on their'buildings.

Through the streets of the West Side there is a rushing torrent bearing immense ice floes, which are doing considerable damage to fences and corners of The old Zhnmermau steamboat and a. number of sand flats are astraddle the tracks of the Pennsylvania Kailroad which are several feet under water. The pumping station of the borough water department is out of operation and Steelton water supply hangs on its reservoir, which la believed to be sufficient for several days. All cellars on the west side of Front street and several on the east side are filled with water, that of Robert Fairlamb, Front and Locust streets, having a depth of four feet. No damages to goods are reported because of the precautions.

So far as can be learned; no damage has LAST EDITION LXXIII, MAKCH 5, 1901. ONE CENT. LXXIIL NO. 56. HARRISBUBG, SATURDAY EVENING, VOL.

IF THE GREAT Ice from up the River, Warm Weather and Rain the Combination Promised for To morrow Railroads and Industries Badly Crippled. HOLD, HAHRISBURG FLOOD If HISTORY" IS DEIIN been done to the stock of the Steelton Store Company, which was very valuable. From 6 o'clock this morning the rise was rapid, and at noon it had become so high that people were warned to stay off the Trewick Street Bridge, which was in great danger of being destroyed by the continual battering of ice. At noon the water had reached the pavements at Front and Conestoga streets and was coming tip gradually. On the west pavement between Adams and Pine streets, there was water to the depth of several inches.

Of those refugees, who left the West Side hurriedly, the foreigners were probably the most excitable. When the water crept close to the doorsteps of the foreigners' shanties, the inmates hastily gathered their belongings together and ridding themselves of shoes, plunged waist deep into the ice water and carried their effects to dry places. In several instances parties of foreigners could be seen wading barefoot in the cold water, each with a keg of beer on his shoulder, preferring to rescue that rather than save clothing or household effects. All departments of the Pennsylvania Steel Company were closed today except the bridge and construction department at East End. The employes of the general office went to work this morning by the only available way, the Locust Street Bridge and a pontoon bridge of freight cars on the Beading tracks, but in a short while they returned and the entire upper plant is idle.

Highspire Submerged in Worst Flood of its History Highspire is in the throes of its worst, flood and the town is practically paralyzed. From the canal bridge to the lower end of the town the village is submerged in an ice floe which covers all field fences and reaches the first, story windows in many homes. The record of 1SS9 is passed by twenty five inches and at several places three feet. There is no end to the, suffering and danger and even in boats and all sorts of flood craft, which has been hastily constructed, transportation is a dangerous necessity. Although no serious accidents have occurred there will be considerable property loss, there being no successful resistance to the immense cakes of ice which are buffeted against small buildings, fences and private dwellings.

Much suffering is reported and those, who arc fortunate to reside ou high ground are rapidly caring for those of the lowlands whose homes have been robbed of their fires and who are shivering to the bone in the icy gale which is blowing in that vicinity. Communication except by telephone and telegraph are cut off and the greatest anxiety prevails. Street, car communication was stopped yesterday noon and railway traffic was closed earlier in the day. The Central Pennsylvania Traction Company employed boats for transfer purposes last evening but he trip of three quarters of a mile through an ice current subdued much of the enthusiasm of the sightseers and the patrons of the road were lew. i At the Bodmer House, wnich occupies a rather high position, the water is four feet in the bar room and covers the counter.

Casks and kegs are being battered against the ceiling and the loss to the proprietor will be heavy. At the Mumma mansion there is a pack of ice jammed against the front door, and surging back and forth is doing much damage. The sides of houses closer to the river are being battered in and it is feared that the houses will be totally wrecked ere long. All the lowlands are. flooded with water and huge cakes of ice and because of the extreme danger of being pocketed by the ice floes navigation between houses has been stopped.

All persons have been removed with safety or have taken to higher floors of their dwellings. The Highspire Distillery is completely surrounded by water and wise precautions taken sometime ago are alone responsible for escape from heavy loss. Gorge Broke at Highspire At 2.30 o'clock this afternoon the immense ice gorge at Highspire, some distance below the Bodmer House, broke with a roar and the ice is moving out rapidly. Reports from that section are to the effect that the ice is damaging the corners of houses in the path of the flood and it is feared that a more rapid moving out of the ice will cause serious damage. In thirty minutes the water fell three feet, and if a moderate speed is maintained, it is thought the town may escape serious loss.

At Steelton, the water receded eight inches in five minutes imediately after the gorge broke and at this place the ice is moving out quietly. Tracks Under Water From Dock Street to Middletown All freight movement over the Pennsylvania Kailroad is out of consideration for the present, except that of a perishable class. The water between here and Branch Intersection below Middletown covers the tracks from a depth of twelve inches to three feet, starting at Dock street and continuing as far as. Union street, Middletown. The worst conditions are at Highspire, where there is considerable ice ou the tracks.

No trains are being run between here and Conewago over the roaiu line. All local trains are sent to Conewago via the Reading Road to Lebanon and then over the main line via Mt. Joy. The through trains, including the Pennsylvania and Manhattan Limited, were sent via Reading to Birdsboro and thence to Philadelphia over the Schuylkill Branch. Northern Central trains from the North are moving nearly on their own schedules.

Those going and coming from the South have been running late because of the high water at York Haven. Trains to Baltimore and Washington go to York and around the high water via a small branch used by manufacturers. Railroad officials here were in touch with the situation east and west all day. They look for still more trouble along the Columbia branch. Communication between Wrightsville and Columbia has been cut off because of the danger in the vicinity of the Columbia Bridge.

Between this city and Altoona no trouble has yet been reported. At Middletown the Flood is Higher Than in 1889 At Middletown the water is higher than it was in 1889. This morning it began to rise and at noon to day the subway at Union street was flooded and communication with the west side was completely cut off. All the families in the lower districts moved out yesterday. Some were obliged to make a hasty departure and leave their supper unfinished last evening because of the rapid rise of the back water.

The borough electric plant is water and but for the moon last night the town would have been in total darkness. The business places were obliged to close up because of no light, the gas plant also being out of business. The tube works is closed down owing to the flooding of the pumping station. This has also caused a scarcity of water and families not. having wells are in sore distress.

The raising of the Pennsylvania railroad tracks when the subway was built placed the tracks out of danger for several hundred yards, but at Wood and Catherine streets the water is over the tracks. The gorge broke at 3 P. M. yesterday. This caused a rush of water into Wood street and at midnight the water had reached to the pike.

The entire street is flooded. Many families were taken out of their homes in boats. This water backed up into Swatara creek and caused a second, rise there. The county bridge leading to Royalton has been badly damaged, the iron work being twisted out. of shape.

The water main runs over the top of this bridge and it is feared the supply will be shut off for some weeks to come. This morning the water began rising about four inches an hour. The following places of business were obliged to close up because the water had either reached the lower floor or surrounded the properties: B. S. Peters fe Son, E.

F. Hartinan, Mansion House, National Tube Works, T. C. Rambler, Banks Brothers, Valentine Baumbach, Washington House, N. C.

Furhman, Middletown Steam Laundry, ('. S. Few, Adams Express Company, V. J. Antrim and the Pennsylvania Railroad station.

Middletown can only be reached by way of Hunmielstown over the Reading road. Communication by trolley is entirely cut off. Before the water reached such a dangerous height last night passengers were transferred around the flood by the aid of boats. To day the water spreads all over the lower end of Highspire and it is impossible to get beyond the canal bridge. The oldest residents of the town say it is the worst flood they have ever seen.

On account of the condition of SwatSra creek the farmers were unable to reach the market to day and provisions are running shortu CO I It BE A BRAND That Will Involve all the Po wers in the War in the East A VOLUNTARY ALLY OF JAPAN Invasion of Her Territory Would Lead to Destruction of Her Integrity Washington, March 5. It is feared here that if China's apparent intention to take part in the Eastern war be carried into effect, the result would be far reaching and might involve the neutral Powers. Much concern is also felt at the Russian Embassy here over the alarm ing reporls which are being received in official circles from China that Chi nese troops are being massed along the Manchuria border now seems certain and that this movement on the part of two Chinese generals is meeting with the support of the Chi nese Government is hardly doubted. According to a diplomat at the Rus sian Embassy the Chinese situation is now, by all odds, the most important phase of the Far Eastern war, as it is one which may involve all of Europe, and the United States. It is not believed, even at the Russian Embassy, that Japan has taken any active steps to obtain China's assistance.

On the contrary, it is said at the State Department that Japan has every reason to desire that China maintain her neutrality, and afford no possible excuse for the invasion of her territory by foreign Powers, which must inevitably lead to a destruction of her integrity. WOMAN SEEKS ENROLLMENT IN COSSACK REGIMENT St. Petersburg, March 5. The disappearance of he Japanese fleet from Port. Arthur after its failures is creating merriment here, one paper remarking that it lias the invisible cap, straddled the carpet and may laud next in the ice.

in front of St. 'Petersburg." The "Gazette" this morning attributes the less unfriendly attitude of the United States and Great Brit ain toward Russia to the fact that they are commercial nations and realize that the war will cost, a tremendous lot of money and that Japan will not have the walkover anticipated. Madame Pousep, of Riga, who desires to be enrolled in a Cossack regiment, is here urging her petition. She is 33 years of age, was reared under the patronage of the late Czar Alexander Til, is a fine horsewoman, a good shot and handles rifle, revolver and sword equally well, often taking part in the cavalry maneuvres of the Yiyazansky regiment. Madame Pousep is also a qualified Red Cross nurse, but she says there are enough women nurses and she wants to show that a woman can fight.

If her petition is rejected she will go at her own expense and serve as a "Daughter of the Regiment." A naval expert writing to the "Xovosli," predicts that Corea will prove a mouse trap to the Japanese, adding that "not one hundredth part of the yellow Napoleons will get out alive." EMPEROR AND MIKADO EXCHANGE CORDIAL NOTES Tokio, March 5. The Emperor of Corea has sent the Mikado a cordial reply to his personal message, assuring the former that war with Russia was declared solely with the view of securing permanent peace, and expressing the sincere wish that the protocol recently concluded between Japan and Corea will increase the intimacy of those two countries. The Corean ruler appears determined to maintain friendly relations with Japan. The British Minister at Seoul is pressing the Corean Government to de fine the extent of the district included in the opening of the port of Wiju on the Yalu River to the commerce of the world. Japanese Officer Golug Home Southampton, England, March 5.

The American Line, steamer St. Paul, which sailed for New Y'ork to day, took among her passengers a score of Japanese officers who had been ordered home on account of the war. GOOD ONES WAT Xb National Board of Fire Un derwriters has decided to advance rates in all large cities, with the prob lime tWCUJIlIUU Ut A UIIUULIJ.H.Ui A mad dog caused a panie among farmers who were fighting a fire near Haverford and a dwelling burned during the excitement. There are twenty three Young Men's Christian Associations in the anthracite coal region, with 2.574 members, and foreigners are beginning to join. John M.

Dale, of Bellefonte, a prominent attorney and for years one of the leaders in Republican politics in Center county, died yesterday. Senator Fairbanks will accept the Republican nomination for the Vice Presidency. Owing to financial difficulties Hawaii will send no exhibit to the St. Louis Exposition. Rev.

E. C. Dinwiddie, anti saloon reformer, has absolved himself of the charge of abusing the franking privilege of Congressmen in a statement before the House Judiciary PLANS FOR REBUILDING CF DENNY BUILDING Special to the Telegraph. Carlisle, March 5. Plans are i well under way for the rebuilding of Denny Memorial building of Dickinson College, which was destroyed bv fire Thursday.

Contractor A. Drill die, who erected the building, has been given orders to clear the ruins, and it is expected that work will be well under way within a short time. Dr. George Edward Reed's declara i tion, "Denny Hall will rise again" has I struck a popular chord and residents of this city are active in steps for starting a fund to rebuild. One citizen stands pledged to give $1,000 and other bequests are promised.

Dr. Reed is sanguine that the amount can be raised and the building which is to be erected will be larger and grander than the former one. The ruins are still burning fiercely and firemen are in constant attendance. Severel alarms have been sent in during the last twenty four hours, and streams of water are turned on at frequent intervals. A number of walls have been dynamited and every precaution has been taken to avoid accidents.

Recitations are uninterrupted, the other'college buildings being used. OROFF'S APPEAL REFUSED; SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS By Associated rress. Washington, D. March 5. Justice Pritchard to day overruled the motion for a new trial of Samuel A.

Groff, one of the recently convicted defendants in the post office trial, and sentenced him to two years in the Moundsville Penitentiary" and to pay a fine of $10,000, sentence to begin on arrival at the penitentiary. Groff immediately furnished bond for $20,000 pending an appeal. DREYFUS' APPEAL FOR A PENSION IS GRANTED By Associated Press. Paris, March 5. The criminal branch of the Court Cassation today granted the appeal of Alfred Dreyfus for a revision of his trial at Rennes.

Files Salt for $30,000 Fee By Associated Press. St. Louis, March 5. John C. Tomliu son, a New York attorney, has filed suit in the United States District Court against John T.

Milliken. a prominent St. Louis broker, for $20, 000, which the plaintiff alleges is due him as a balance for professional services rendered in the trial of Albert T. Patrick will case in New Y'ork. Milliken is a brother in law of Patrick.

Tomlinson alleges he was employed by Milliken to defend Patrick for $23,000 and that he has received only $5,000. ANOTHER GREAT MEETING FOR MEN AT THEY. M. C. A.

The Y'oung Men's Christian Association, Second and Locust streets, will be the scene of another great meeting for men of Harrisburg to morrow afternoon, at 3:30 o'clock. It will be a gospel praise service and the special musical attraction will be "The Watkins Quartette, Welsh Singers." They will have charge of the programme. In connection with the praise service there will be a brief address. Doors will open promptly at 3 o'clock. Knee Cap Broken by Mule Kick John Eberly, aged 44 years, was brought to the Harrisburg Hospital from Duncannon, last evening for treatment of a broken knee cap, which was inflicted by the rear foot of an obstinate mule, which was being hitched to a wagon.

THE WEATHER By Associated Press. Washington, D. March 5 Forecasts for Eastern Pennsylvania: Fair and warmer to night; Sunday rain with rising temperature. UarrUhnr; Record far il Honr Highest temperature 28 Lowest temperature 18 Mean temperature 23 Normal temperature 34 Deficiency in temperature for this date 11 Accumulated deficiency of temperature since March 7 Accumulated deficiency of temperature since January 547 Excess of rain fall since March 1st 0.13 BROKE THROUGH Mrs. Charles Benseman has sued the Union Hall Association, Poftsville, for $10,000 for injuries due to a fall JtO XJ 1 The Commissioners of Lehigh county have fixed the rate of the county tax at 18 cents per $100, the lowest of any county in the State.

After the present year Yale University will not allow the appointment, of valedictorian and saluta torian for the graduating class. Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Bristow, who has been ill a long time from grip, was at the department yesterday for an hour. Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee and eight other Red Cross nurses have started for Japan to work in hospitals and field while the war lasts. John Brady, who the Philadelphia police say has committed a number of burglaries, was taken to City Hall for trial and escaped from his cell.

Philadelphia will carry the fight into the House of Representatives if the Committee on Rivers refuses to provide for survey for a deeper Delaware River channel. IE JUDGESHIP YET Governor Still Refuses to Say Whether He Will Accept Nomination RtPUBLICAN PRIMARIES TO DAY Delegates to the State Convention Will be Chosen in Three Counties With the Republican State Convention only one month off, Governor Pennypacker still declines to say whether or not he is a candidate for the nomination for Judge of the Supreme Court to succeed his nppointee, Justice Samuel Gustine Thompson, of Philadelphia, whose commission expires the first Monday of next Janu ary and who will be nominated by the Democratic State Convention on April 39th for the full term of 21 years. Politicians here believe that if the Governor wants the nomination there will be no serious opposition to him in the convention. If he should decide not to be a candidate the nominee may be. either Charles E.

Rice, of Wilkes Barre, President Judge of the Superior Court, or Judge John Stewart, of Franklin county, who has reg istered in Clair and Chester counties and has the active support of the Republican organization of Franklin county. Choosing Delcgntts To day Delegates to the State Convention will be chosen at lie.publican primaries to day in Rlair, Greene and Juniata counties and next Tuesday in the First Legislative district of Lackawanna county. Primaries were also to have been held to day in Lancaster county, but. there is no opposition to the organization slate and it was not necessary to hold primaries. The list of delegates and candidates for county offices will be certified by the County Chairman.

In Clair county there are eight candidates for the five delegates to be chosen. Those in the field from which the selection will be made are John Bemen, C. 15. Clark, W. W.

Yon, S. B. Isenberg, H. B. Calrlerwood, Dr.

J. L. Isenberg, George M. Robertson and Guy Smith. There is no opposition to the.

candidacies of John M. Reynolds, of Bedford, for Congress in the Blair BedfoTd Cambria district; Senator Jacob C. Stinemaif, of South Forks, for Senator in the Blair Cambria district; Representatives J. Lee Plum mer and W. H.

Irvin to succeed themselves, and A. G. Morris for national delegate. In Juniata county the only offices for which there is no contest are Surveyor and Coroner, neither of which is worth $25 a year. Those who have been elected to these offices in recent years have not even gone to the expense of lifting their commisions.

William Long and R. L. Auker are rival candidates for State delegate; W. C. Pomeroy and Henry S.

Brown are fighting each other for the nomination for Assembly, and William C. Smith and J. A. Davis are aspirants for County Chairman. There is no contest in Greene coun ty, Congressman Allen F.

Cooper, of Uniontown, being conceded a renomi nation and Major Thomas S. Craigo, of Waynesburg, having no opposition for national delegate. In Lackawanna county the delegates will be selected by judge Edwards, who is making a systematic canvass for the nomination' for Supreme Court Judge, i Democrats to .11 ti In Theater Chairman Hall has engaged the New Lyceum Theater for the meeting of the Democratic State Convention, which promises to be a very exciting i gathering. A secret effort is being, made to elect delegates who will oppose the attempt which is to be mada to send the delegates to St. Louis un instructed or bind them by the unit! rule.

The managers of Congressman Hearst are doing considerable mis i sionary work in this State and they. expect to upset the plans of the party leaders in the State Convention. Chester's Five Candidates Chester county Republicans will i haTe an opportunity to choose from five candidates for Supreme Court I Judge at the Republican primaries on March 19th. The following names have been registered with the county chairman: F. W.

Wheaton, Luzerne county; Henry M. Edwards, Laoka I wanna county; William B. Broomall, Delaware county, and Rodney A. Mur cur, Bradford county. THE NEWS GORGE Nathan Cole, a former Mayor of St.

Louis and a prominent financier, is dead, aged 79. Mr. Oole was a member of Congress from 1876 to ibis. Convoyed by the auxiliary cruiser Buffalo, the United States torpedo boat flotilla, bound for the Philippines, arrived at Aden yesterday even The E. T.

DuPont Company is completing its absorption of the California Vigorit Company at a cost of and the three manufacturing fuse companies on the Pacific coast. While testifying in the murder case against Martin Blatnick, at Butte, Michael Mulich admitted that he, and not Blatnick, was the murderer. When told that the St. Louis Ex posit ion Company had not he money to ay the wages demanded, the 1,000 laborers who had been on strike returned to work yesterday. The export tobacco business of Alexander Cameron Co.

and William Camreon of Petersburg, has been acquired by the British American. Tobacco Company, lii OT.