Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-03-02
StanntOn Spectator.
FLOOD IN THE OHIO RIVER.
MARCH =, 1892.

we make the following extracts from
letters received by members of the LIE.
gIslature from respectable citizens Of
Wheeling. This has been the most a w.
iul and destructive flood of which we
have any knowledge, in the history OF
our country. Several of the letters sug-
gest the Propriety of Legislative aid to
the river counties, so far as to remit the
taxes OF the present year, and exempt
them from taxation for year or two, TO
enable them to rebuild their bridges and
repair their roads. Many ofthe people
will necessarily be employed for long
time to come in repairing their farms,
and in erecting new houses. Certainly.
therefore, the measure suggested cannot
fail to be thought reasonable by every
just and liberal minded citizen. Tn our
opinion, it is the very least that could
be asked and ought to be done, by the
Legislature.
WHEELING, Feb. RI only have
time to write you in great haste, to in
form you OF the great flood we now have
IN the Ohio. 1t is now 90 feet above
low water mark. 1t is impossible for
me to describe to you the scene of dis.
tress. Yesterday and to-day we travel
led through the corn fields, and frequent.
ly could see at one view four or five
houses af1oat. Mr.. M'Kee says he thinks
the damage at this place is not less than
100000.
Another letter dated the 18th, saws,
you may form some idea of what the
flood was when tell you we went in
and out of the Point Factory, from crafts
at the second story windows, and that
not one foot of land was bare on the is
land. Yesterday (Sunday,) | was all
day employed relieving the distressed o.
yer the creek, about which can scarce
ly think without weeping bridge
is gone-houses without number-in-
deed it appeared on Saturday as though
whole villages were floating before US,
and we have reason to think that lives
innumerable are lost. People have been
seen IN the floating habitations. and no
crafts to aid them. never recolIect of
our shores being as badly supplied with
boats"
Another letter of the 18th, saws "Tbe
Valley of the Ohio is in ruins-witbin
the last four days it has been swept from
the hill on the west to the hill on the
east-not a fence, or bridge, or frame
house. ware house of a frame construc-
ton, stacks of hay, grain, and even the
corn, is swept down the stream those
on the high banks excepted. 1t is half
century since | became acquainted
with the Ohio river. have never wit.
messed any thing so calamitous. Hun
dreds OF families are turned out on tbe
hills. without any thing to support them
and in starving condition. 1t was trne.
~ awful to view the flood, to see the
houses sweeping down, and in one in
stance the cry for help was heard, but
none could be given-no craft con Id he
procured. The noise of the water a.
mongst the remaining trees on the shore
and islands, together with the crashing
OF the floating houses occasionally. and
the scene altogether, was awful bevond
description. You know sir, | have seem
hard times in this country, and in the
revolutionary war, but / have not seen
any thing TO equal this"
Another letter dated the 18th. save
g steamboat that arrived here on Sun
day, (the 18th from below, passed tbro'
the town of Sistersvil!e, to avoid the chr
rent Il steamboat that arrived here
this morning represents Parkersburp
and all the bottoms on the river below
under water; the people encamped back
on the hills. At Belle Isle. oppos;te
Parkersburg, the water was at Tie ewes
of the two story houses at Marietta the
same. At Wellsburg the water was in
the Courthouse. Warrenton at the
mouth of Indian Short creek, has been
almost destroyed, only IL or 10 houses
lett, and all the warehouses with their
contents, carried away. 1t gives me
great pain to mention that some Of our
friends have suffered severely tyson
and the Echols in pork Knox &, Nike
and NJ kee q Woods, in flour Woods
a. vi 'kee have lost both their ware
houses, and the Steam-mill below the
island. What must the sufferinps and
hopes of the country people be on the
river Their plantations covered fen
and twenty feet deep with water their
tenants houses gone, their stock. grain
and provisions gone, their plantations
swept of fences, and in many instances
Inf m -