Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-12-31
The Western FIOOd.

The Newspaper accounts Of the late terrible
food at the West fully confirm all that was an
nounced by telegraph. Of the freshet on the
Ohio a gentleman who left Cincinnati on Moi
day, furnishes to the New York Tribune the fol-
lowing interesting particulars -
! was passenger In the steamer North Hver,
Capt. Dean, from Cincinnati to PiitsbuTg. Soon
after leaving the former place, we found the riy-
or rising fearfully. We Tried TO effect landing
towards night, but were unable, and at length
got out of the channel, aud sailed two miles (up
riyer) in a corn field and brought up in an APP
pie orchard. Next morning we proceeded on
our voyage, the river still rising FIVE inches on
hour, and encountered floating dwelling houses,
timber, hay stacks, hogs, cattle, Sc, their way
down stream. On arriving at Portsmouth, next
day at noon, we found the town (seyen hundred
houses) completely inundated, the water occu-
pied the first story, and in many cases also the
second. At Graham's Station we found matters
in yet worse condition. The scene OF destruc-
ton was painful TO behold.
j In the coal region, including Pomeroy, Shelf
field, Coalgrove, and Nycsyille, where they get
out coal for the crnft on the river, and which ex
tend, as one continuous village on the Ohio, for
nearly three miles, almost every house was sub
merged, and the inhabitants were encamped on
the neighboring hills, men, women, and children.
They must have suffered severely.
Thence up TO Marietta, on the Ohio bank,
/ lAuu O2fatluN1lif On TtutEAhl anu NHEluA
shore,) We witnessed one vast, unbroken scene
Of ruin and devastation, including an extent Of
country nearly 400 miles in length.
| The Muskineum enters the Ohio at Marietta,
which is built on the fork or junction Of the two
streams. That city also was under waicr-the
food was eighteen feet deep in the principal
street We took in passengers from the second
story Of one Of the botels, and our boat was oc-
easionally found, on her way, miles distant from
the river, and in many places we sailed up the
United States mail road.
When above Marietta the freshet subsidized, the
sudden rise in the Muskingum, Kanawha, and
Big and Little Sandy Rivers being the chief
cause Of the freshet.
Gallipolis suffered severely.
Carrying some freight for farmer residing
near Graham's station, we sailed over his farm
with the help Of lead and line, landing it on
bank near which no steamer had ever ssii,.i le-
fore.
We had about a hundred deck passsnrers.
many Of whom were clamorous for strong Id
uors. Being in imminent danger, however, Capt
Dean and officers Of the boat would not allow a
drop 10 come on board; and TO his and their dis
Greet and careful conduct the passengers gener-
ally ascribe their safety while enyroned by many
penls. II was considered that not less than 5000
dwelling houses and stores were more or les I'M
der water, and in various degrees injured. The
i"7e u property u lar Deyono my power OF cali
culation OF estimate, but il must be immense /
have heard Of no los of life, however, but it is
scarcely probable that all have escaped the raw
ages Of the flood.
INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD IN CIScIxxATT
The number Of people who have been Obliged
to vacate their premises in Cincinnati, BY the
late extraordinary rise in the Ohio, is immense
Many Of the disturbed families were received by
relatives and friends, but in some instances, par
4 IF tau -
themselves with single room
The steamboats, rua up and down the streets,
taking passengers as they could find them. "a
full sized canal boat" says the Cincinnati Atlas
"came sailing up Columbia street. across Main
&c, propelled by poles in the hands Of some
st1rdy fellows on board. This operation was no
Wild freak. but as we understood, wise, bust
ness-like taking advantage of circumstances
The owners wished TO transfer il from the White
water Canal, which is out Of order and likely to
continue 90, to the Mama and by aid Of the
water in our streets, effected the transit Of the
intervening mile at a 1.-THE of the expense and
trouble il would have cost al any other time"
A number Of men were observed afioaf In one
OF the principal streets, in old box, endeavor-
ing to scuil themselves across An old sow came
swimming by, which one Of the boatmen obsery-
ing, he made fast to her long tail Piggy resist
ed but II was Of no use, and the whole boat load
were towed TO their destination by this new mo-
tive power.
:. chap was observed fishing with rod and
line from the second story window of a house In
one Of the principal streets He was yery in
tent, and apparently had got a bite
cord. Ps-
The Odd Fellows had appropriated a number
of the poor
On one occasion music was heard proceeding
from house, of which the upper story and roof
only were above the water, and several skiffs
were hitched to the windows Upon rowing up.
II was discovered that ball was in full blaze
and the waltz in giddy whirl to merry masic'
male and female participating This Jolly party
seemed unconscious Of the danger that threaten
cd themselves, and Of the distress which sur
rounded them. dance and be merry for to-
morrow VIC may die" was strikingly illustrated.
A drayman was asked to remove the furniture
OF poor woman from dwelling into which the
water was then rising The drayman refused 10
haul the load to distance of about one square.
Tor less than two dollars (being offered one dol
iar-all she had and told the woman that she
might "stay and drown, if she didn't ike TO give
IT. The distress Of the poor woman excited tic
sympathy Of the crowd, and the rudeness OF the
man It's indignation. One individual among tie
bystanders ran into the water waist deep, sprang
upon the dray, knocked is owner of into tie
water, drove TO the door of the poor woman and
removed her furniture This was done amid the
cheers Of the crowd. NV
INV HANrsnIRE PoLrrics-The following i,
nn extract from private letter to the editors Of the