New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-11-08
The Flood ON tho Mohawk.
ORisxANY FALLS, MondaJ, N0f' j

20 tie Editor Of The Tribune;
yoor information from Utica, under date of the
esth ult. in the Weekly Tribune OF the "a INST
concerning the late food in this section is Ia most
particulars incorrect Log City was doubtless
yoistaken for Orsksny Falls, there being no canal
and no plank road in direct route, from the
formcr place to Hamilton The enterpri5ins aud
4brjvipc village of Oriskany f alls has, indeed, soa
,ained such disasters By food as may require years
20 overcome Nearly halfof the property and busi.
ness Of the place il totally destroyed. Inc Ohe'
mango Canal two miles south OF here IS seriously
damaged Portions OF it are almost ann!hhated
THE mill sites. from Cleveland in Madison to WIZ
1ards in Marshall taboat twelve IN number, and
within distance Of eight miles, are all OF them
aDorc on less damaged. The largest and most
substantial dams were swept entirely away
The vast destruction Of property in this place
was caused by the giving away OF two extensive
mill ponds, situated ia Madison three miles
above here Each Of these had ahead of from 20
% 80 feet and overhowed, together, nearly 200
acres. About noon, on Sunday, the 9th ult after
n heavy rain of sc hours duration, and when the
hill sides around were sending down their surplus
water in streams Ike rivers, these ponds burst
aheir dams, and prccipltated their contents into
she valley below, lnundatinS the whole line OF the
Oriskany Greek to this place, carrying away
every bridge and fence its track, and tearing
ND the plank road canal, and large quantities OF
valuable timber. This mass OF water, with It's
Heterogeneous accumulation OF wrecks, came IN 1ull
force and without warning into the heart OF the
village A number OF the most valuable build
ings were In g few minutes floating and falling Ia
pieces and the inhabitants had to flee for their
lives and it was with much difficulty that some
women, who had been driven by the water from
che Easements to the garrets OF their houses were
/ extricated with the aid OF ropes &c. from their
perilous situation Houses, horses and hogs were
destroyed in the food, bat fortunately, not hu-
man life was lost But such destruction Of
ulli property, factories, shops and machinery has
4 never boon known on this stream.
The greatest individual sufferer in this disaster
n is Chatiold Alcott, one OF most enterprising
citizens whose extensive chair and cabinet
warerooms and magnificent establishment, most
choicely furnished with expensive tools and ma
Chinery, and filled with new and costly work, re-
ceived the full force OF the water, and the floating
fragments of several buildings la less than an
hours time, the whole premises and contents
were swept away, torn in pieces, and spread over
hundreds Of acres OF inundated country, below the
! town.
Aside from the ravagcs of the destroying clio
4 3nent, the spectacle was most truly sublime to
I look upon; but later view, presenting the ruins
of n thriving town, and live miles of country, has
/ most striking contrary aspect and effect. The
loss to the inhabitants and business men in
| ahis vicinity by the GOOD must exceed 100000.
| Under the management of cur energetic and
efficient Canal Superintendent the repairs Of the
canal near hore are already going on at a rapid
I rate, aud it is confidently expected that some
/ boating may yet be done before the season closes
Re Truly, yours, w.
4F PS.-Your readers here almost, if not quite
! universally approve OF Gov. Stewards course in
the Senate, and Of the position and views of Tie
4 Tribune One OF TAEM