Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-06-04
from the Merton, ". J. Herald
DISTRESSING OCCIJRRENCE


(From Ue Merton, ~ j. Hsraid1
DISTRESSING OCCURRENCE
on Monday night last, most affecting occurrence
took place a, Branchvie, about six miles from the
Viiiage OF Newton. Between the hours of 10 and
IL o'clock the stream which passes through that viii
Iage having arisen to am unusual height, in conse-
9uen'e OF the large quantities Of rain which had fallen
dnrog that evening and the preceding day, the Mil
dam oil John Bell. Esq which situated at the up
per end Of the Village, gave way with tremendous
crash, and the immense column Of water, about 25
ieet IN depth, was suddenly precptated into the
oeiow carrying destruction and desoiaon in its whole
course through the Village. The first thing upon
which II spent its fury was the forge of Mr. Bell,
which stooia few rods below the Dam: the water
wheels We're swept away, almost every thing within
the building completely demolished or carried away
and the building itself removed few feet from il
foundation II next came in conts ct with the Mill
dam OF Samuel Price, Eco which were instantly
swept away by its Irresistible force; one wall of the
Woollen Factory was thrown entirely down, the
building otherwise slightly, and some of the machinery
materially Injured The races to the Factory and
Gristmll were filled with stones and rubbish, or de-
sroyed so that the place rhere they lorated can
win diihcuIty be pointed out. Several dwelling
houses below were nundated and though but on
lille was lost, mary escaped narrowly, and some mi
racuIously, from drowning.
The inhabitants, who had osly retired 10 rest were
aroused from their sumbers by the crash of falling
stones and timber, and the loud roaring Of the wster
bursting into their dwellings. Many escaped into
ther upper apartments and there awaited, in awful
suspense, thai death which at every moment
inevitable The family Of Mr. M'Daniels very mar
rowiy escaped drowning MIR M'Danisls had retired
to bed in upper chamber, his wife as in lower room
reading child lay in the CRADLE two others were
IN bed asleep near her; she had scarcely heard the
sound oil the moving mass of water before the door
oil the room in which she sitting was burst open
by iis violence. She sprung upon a box which was
near her, with her infant in her arms, and there she
stood, the water reaching nearly to her chin, holding
her child above il, until Mr.. MD. descended from
the chamber with view, il possible TO save them;
she begged him 20 de-is declaring that the children
in the bed were both drowned, and that ne must pc r-h
he persisted in the attempt either hem
he however, did persist and found his children in the
bed floating tie surface of the water uninured and
one OF them still asleep, and conveyed them all to a
place OF safety.
The b,use in which Mr.. Michael Mackerly re.
sided was entirely swept away; the place where il
stood cannot now he accurately pointed out. Mr.
Mackerlv and his wife (vho were the only persons
IN The House) were awakened by the noise; in an
instant they heard the chimney falling and felt the
House moving from its foundation. Mrs. Mackeriy
chung TO her husband he put his arms around her and
her all the assistance in his power the house
wa. soon demolished, and they found themselves
without having yet sustained any material injury,
amidst the wreck OF their dwelling, the horrors OF
dark and stormy night, and all the desclaon and
devastation that surrounded them, borne rapidly along
the foaming torrent Mr.. Mackerly caught hold OF
bnsh and held for short time still supporting
his wife: in this situation he struck so severely
on his head with piece OF floating timber, for
lew moments TO deprive him of his reason: when
ne recovered he found, TO his inexpressibe horror,
that his wife was separated from him. He carried
some distance farther when he again caught hold of
bush and able 10 make sufficient exeron 20 gain for
the Fl st time, footing and.--Here he remained for
considerable time, surrounded with water until
neighbours, who had followed him and heard his erie,
for assistance, to his relief He was taken TO the
house OF the Rev. Mr. Conklng. where, in few honrs,
he so far recovered to be able 10 be conveyed the
neiehbourhood ct his former residence
Mrs. Mackerly was, unfortunately drowned. Her
body found about 9 o'clock the next II ornng nn-
der heap OF rubbish. within few feet OF the place
where her husband had been taken from the water a.
bout halt mile below the village She did appear
to have been severely bruised and Mr. Mackerly think.
she must have tainted when the house fell, az he did
not hear her utter one word after that time. Mrs. Mac
kerry was much esteemed in III. neighbourhood here
she resided, and her loss i. universally regretted
The injury done TO various descriptions OF property in
the yillage considerable: most o the gardens are
ruined; the turnpike and two bridges washed en-
tirey away; in short, the whole viiags, which few
short hours before wore cheerful and rural appearance
now presents 4 scene Of Oscillation and ruin.
1t is with ordinary feeling OF indignation that we
learn and record the fact, that most gross and unwar-
ranable outrage has recently been committed upon the
personal rights and liberty of one Of The citizens of this
city. The circumstances which follow stated uros
respectable and unquesiionabe authority They relate
to mater which involves the personal rights of every
citizen, and as SUCH independently of sympathy for the
individual upon whom this outrage has been committed
cannot fail to excite the deepest interest in the public
mind 1t is the Of Ste phenon epeaed but repeated
with ageravaiiop, and upon one Of our citihensa
respectable and deserving The facts alluded to
art:-Ihat on Sunday night last, about III o'clock Mr..
Jacob Lazarus, on his return from the Eagle Hotel,
East Bay to his place of residence arrested aud
tax fOrcbly board the Srhr. Ohio, which vessel
after hauled from the wharf at which she had
laid and anchored in The stream, where she remained
IN consequence OF head Winds for upwards of 80 hours
From the information given appears that Mr.. La
znrus taken account Of civil suit, to be
in the city of New York. He was also un.
der bail here; and understand that upon ta of hi.
very case, his Hon Judge Richardson had decided tha;
he could not be carried beyond the jurisdiction of our
State Courts
Measures are in progress en- will he actively prose-
cuied, TO obtain redress OF this agrant invasion of The
rights Of our citizens; and full statement OF the case
viii, as room as practicable, be given TO the public
Charleston Jfer.