Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-09-19

The Whtte Mountains. "A gentleman of this
vicinity has iavoured US with the perusal OF let
ter from his brother at Fry eburg. from which we
learn the following particulars of the late dreadful
avalanche OF the White Mountains, and OF the in
jury done by the rains and the swelling of the
streams in that vicinity. 1t is known that the
Saco River has its rise the Notch OF the
Mountains, remarkable gap, through which
1t passes and the only pass for many miles by which
1t Is possible TO from the eastern to the wes-
tern side OF the Mountains. From this point the
Saco flows IN southerly and easterly direction for
distance OF about thirty miles, between two high
and almost perpendicular mountains. The chan
mel between these mountains wdens from about
twenty or thirty feet, at the gap, western ter
mination OF the Notch, to four or five miles at
conway, thirty miles below. For about two
miles, through the part called the Notch, there is
continual descent OF considerable rapidity, and
mere the base OF the mountain comes very near To
the river, leaving but little room for the road
which follows its course and frequently crosses il
In this distance it receives from the steep noun.
tans several tributary streams, which form beau
'iful Cascades OF a great height. We learn from
friend who visited the mountains in the period of
the late rains, that these streams were swollen to
very unusual extent, and that the great masses
OF. water falling over those immense heights pre-
scented most beautiful spectacle, which afforded
very ample compensation for the loss of the pros
stantly enveloped in clouds.
We learn from the letter above referred to, that
the Saco at length so tar overlooked its banks that
at Fryebdrg, the town below Conway great guam
titles OF corn, potatoes, meadow hay, and fences,
have been destroyed, and some cattle drowned
At Conway and Bartlett, the loss as still more
severe in the destruction of crops, mills and
bridges. On ascending The river farther every
thing is destroyed. At Mr.. Crawford's ight miles
from the Gap, the water rose two feet into his
house, situated some distance from the river and
his farm Is either destroyed or covered up But
the most melancholy disaster is in the destruction
OF the family of Mr.. Wylley, who, lived in wba,
was called the Notch House, at the eastern termi
nation OF the Notch, where the mountain on each
side OF the river is about three thousand feet in
height. y part OF the mountain slipped from il.
restingsplace and tell into the road and river fill.
ing it up for distance OF about a mile south OF
the house, and the beautiful little meadow opno
site the house is become pond. Ii so happened
that although the barn was carried away And two
horses were killed, the hou-e remained untouched.
The rocks passed about six feet from it, Unfor-
tuna,ey the family fled from their beds and from
the house, and were overwhelmed in the ma,
of earth and rocks Their clothes were fonn,
as they were left by them on going to bed. The
family consisted of Mr.. Wyey, his wife, five
children, and two hired men. They had recently
removed thlther from Fryebursh, and were anna.
bic, oblging people, much respected by their
neighbours. and commended for their neatnes.
and obisins disposition by travellers who visit ed
their house. The bodies of Mr.. Wylley, his wife,
and one of the hired men have been found at The
distance OF about sixty rods from the house dread
fully mangled. The others have not been found.
1t is supposed that this disaster happened at about
III O'Clock at night. The house was six miles
distant from any other human habation, and the
road In both directions is oyerhung by the noun
tains, and was at the time probably overflow ed
with water.
The obstruction to the road is such that much
laoour will be required to repair it. At present a
horse cannot pass. Along the Notch also the
road is much filled up. Other parts OF the noun
tam fell about the same time, and among others,
that near Crawford Camp. More than thou
sand acres from Mount Pleasant have sIipped off.
and covered large part of Ethan Crawford's pas
tuTe, otthirty or forty acres, two miles distant.
Boston Duly .Adv