The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-08-12

There was on the raft when il started
Lemuel B Eldridge and son, Miles Farr
aud son, mr. Somers, and one OF the Stew
art ooys. They were hurried along to-
wards the Darrows, but oil kept on until
they reached that fnghtful charnel house.
In a moment the raft was scattered, and
every Que on it prccipitated into the water.
Mr.. Farr seized plank from the raft with
his right hand, and soon found some float
ing substance to grasp with his left Hold.
ing firmly by these, the current carried
him dow n to the Hat about half mile be-
low the mills, where he lodged against
large pine stump. He let 60 his plaDks,
thinking he had found something more
safe; but in a moment u quantity Of flood
wood came against the stump, and he was
again driven down the current. lie was
nearly exhausted and discouraged, he how
ever made one more effort for life which
proved successful. He succeeded in clear
ing the food wood, when tho stump again
grounded and he remained holding on 10 II
until taken off IN tho morning. Mr.. FL.
bridge was carried nearly through the mar
rDws, when he seized board which proved
Of great assistance to him. He was car
red near mr.. Farr, and on 10 a piece OF
corn ground where he could touch the bot
tom, and where, by holding on to the corn,
he could withstand the current. Mr.. Farr's
son, ard vuc Ofsis t,.--..-.i haps lodged on
a pointa little above mr.. Eldridgc. The
young men caught clapboard and some
bits Of flood wood, and by cutting up their
suspenders and lashing them together, they
n length exlrIcatcd mr. Eldrdge, and. af-
tor it grew light, mr. Farr.
OF mr.. Soners and the son Of mr. El-
dridge nothing is known. II is supposed
they were drowned soon after the breaking
up Of the raft. The rest Of the Stewart
family, consisting Of mr.. and mrs. Stewart,
and four children, were thus left in the barn
without the least hope Of aid or succor.
The raft, their last hope, with their kind
neighbors and their eldest son, they had
seen hurried away to what appeared inevi
Iable destruction. The scafold upon The
barn in " hich they had taken refuge, soon
followed the raft, snd was crushed to pieces
in passing the narrow. All that were in il
persisted except a boy about ii years old,
who was mlrnculousiy preserved by drift
ing against the top of tree, to which he
clung until taken OF he next morning. He
says he had hold of his mothers hand in
passing the narrows and she spoke TO him.
probably some part Of tho barn which fell
on her.-Thcy were soon separated By the
torrent or drift wood. In the house Of
John Wilson was himself and wife, and n
sister Of his wife--s son Erskine, about 20
yoais old, q daughter Anna, and two young
children. Mr.. wilson. when first alarmed
about the safety of his family, made with
his son several Intellectual attempts to es.
cape. Finding it was in vain, he told his
son they would 20 into the chamber, and if
they must 60, they would all go together.
They had been in the chamber but short
time when they heard the cellar wall Civ
ing way, and almost instantly the chimney
fell and Erskine was preciptated into the
cellar. He was severely bruised, but com
ing out of the water with which the cellar
was filled, near the place where he fell in,
he was cxtricated by his father. Perceiv !
ng the water was fast undermining the |
house, mr. Wilson went with his son to the |
loor which looked towards the road. |
While standing iD the door a moment they |
elt The house move from its foundations,
Iud both leapcd into the stream, and both |
cached the shore. After getting to the
hore, Erskine distinctly saw his sister
Anna with the youngest child in her arms !
IN what appeared to be the chamber floor,
md distinctly heard her call his name sew
'ral times, and beg him to save her and
title Sarah. 1Ic told her TO throw the !
'hild towards the shore, as far rs she could, |
md jump herself She did not hear, or
aw no chance ofescape from such course.
n the mean time the flood was carrying
Ter fast towards the narrows. The broth
II and father ran along The shore as fast as
'ossible, hoping the current would bring
Ter so near tho shore that they might save
Ter, but they had to make considerable Of
circuit, and they heard her frantic cries
or help when none but an Almighty arm
ould have saved her. They saw her en-
er the rapids, but did not see her more.
The plain unvarnished tale of this terri.
10 calamity is enough to melt heart Of
damant. We saw the remnants Of tue lit
le village on Tuesday at noon.--The
tream had fallen more than twelve feet,
ut q vast column Of fnrbid water was still
ushiug through the very spot where the
ouscs and gardens Of these unfortunate
cople had stood the night before. Words
an convoy but a faint idea Of the frightful
esolation that appeared on every side.
here were in all fourteen persons that
we're lost, and twcnty. one buildings car.
led away with all their contents All the
treans having their source among the
ran higher than they were ever
nown TO before. On Middloburry river
he crops are entirely destroyed. Cham.
lan's stone dam and house were swept a
'ay, and himself and wife very narrowly
scaped. The dam and mills owned by
Ohm Foot were swept away, and the forge
David p. and William Nash greatly IN
rcd The road on the river for consid-