The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-09-17
GREAT FREsHET.

tails In the papers of the damage sustained by
the late flood. From them we have selected
the following particulars:
The Windsor ~ journal says, all ac-
counts which have come in, agree in repre-
senting the effects of the flood to be most
injurious and destructive. Summers bridge.
crossing Connecticut river, above Hart ISL
and, four miles north of this village, is un-
happily IN part carried off, though we have
not yet become acquainted with the cir
cumstances. 1t was an interesting moment
when the ruins of that bridge appeared in
sight and rapidly nearing Cornish bridge.
Hardly one present expected that the latter
could stand the shock, as not more than one
loot OF clear space remained between the
level of the stirrups of the bridge and the
surface of the river. To the Joy of all it
stood the encounter, and the immense beams
OF the floating bridge separated and passed
under the Cornish bridge, leaving it safe,
but leaving also upon its exposed parts, ev-
ident tokens that the meeting was not in
tended in kindness.
AS far as heard from all the bridges, but
one, on Mill brook, gone. The bridge on
this brook at the south end of our village,
partly torn away and now impassable.-
More or less other injuries to other bridges
through the town. In Hartland, a large
number also carried off. In Cornish the
bridges on Chase's brook mostly destroyed.
In Woodstock, the bridge over Queechy
river, west of the village, swept away. In
all directions the roads very much cut up,
and from appearances there is sufficient
reason to apprehend a great destruction of
property in mills, dams, &c.
The BraHIeboro' Messenger says, it is
estimated by competent judges that it will
cost $4,000 to repair the damage done to
the roads and bridges in this town. The
loss of private property in mills, mill dams
and machinery, has also been severe.
Of the individual losses in this town,
those of the Messrs. Goodhue are the most
heavy. Their cotton factory including the
whole of the machinery, was swept entirely
away. They have also experienced very
considerable loss in the destruction of their
mill dams, and in the damage done to their
distillery. Their whole loss, it is estimated,
cannot be less than $4,000. Others have
suffered much, but to what amount we have
not learned.
In Putney, woollen factory, the proper
ty of a Mr.. Knights, valued at $4,000, was
carried off, and the paper mill of Mr.. Rob
ertson damaged, as we are told, to the
amount of $1,000, or more.
The Wiitiamstocn Advocate SAYS, near
where the Greenfield road crosses the Green
river In that town, was grst mill, contain
ing two sets of stones, circular saw, and
some other machinery. A strong dam was
not proof against the swollen and impetuous
torrent the water formed channel on the
west side of the mill, through which it rush
ed with resistless force, CARRYING before it
timber, earth, rocks, and every thing which
impeded its course and at about half past
three, on Thursday morning, the mill fell,
and was borne away by the food
A few rods to the north west of this mill
stood large brick building, erected about
two years since, and occupied partly as
grist mill and partly by Mr.. Duncan as
machine shop. The earth below it's foun-
dation being undermined, all the south and
east parts of the building fell and disap-
peared.
Near the east end of the last mentioned
building stood a large two story dwelling
house, occupied by Mr.. Luther Peabody
and his father, with family of eight per-
sons. The family were awakened by some
of the neighbors few minutes before the
falling of the brick building. They had
barely time to dress and make their escape
when the whole house rose on the flood and
moved off Mr.. Robert w. Smith, who
was endeavoring to save some of the most
valuable articles, was in the house at the
time; and owing to the roar of wind and
torrent, and the crash of falling tmbers he
i IL a.
he was fairly in the centre of the channel,
and moving at rapid rate over its rocky
bed. No time was to he lost-and finding
the door made fast by the springing of the
timbers, he jumped through window and
was carried down the current among tim
Der, plank, trees, and the wreck of the
house, which fell to pieces the moment he
was so fortunate as to make his escape. In
his progress he several times attempted to
save himself by catching hold of the bushes
which in some places lined the banks of the
river, but without effect At length, after
being carried about 100 rods, he succeeded
in catching by tree, which was lodged On
small island in the middle of the river !;
here he held fast till his friends, who had
followed on the shore, succeeded in throw
ing him rope, by means of which he re-
gained the land, after being in the water
about two hours and half
The damage done to the highways is very
great, and seven bridges on the Green riv-
er were swept away, besides several small
bridges in other parts of the town.
The gardens, fences, &C., on the banks Of
the river, near the buildings destroyed, were
completely swept away, earth and all, leav-
inog S,,arcn n wreck behind
Several of the bridges on Deerfeld river
have been carried off, and many small ones
in Savoy, Cummington, Charlemont, and
other towns in the vicinity.
The Northampton Gazette says, about
three miles west of the village, the dam
cnnnected with the oil mill of Messrs White