The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-09-22
An Incident Of the Late Freshst.

flood, we have heard of none more thrill
ing than the following, which occurred
ON the Saluda, near Anderson's and
Neely's bridge:
On the Abbeville side of the river, on
slight eminence, was erected a small
two story house for the accommodation of
The toll keeper. In times Of very high
.freshets, this point was sometimes cut Of
from the main land by sIuice running
round 1t, but II was SO elevated that no
danger was ever apprehended from its en-
tire inundation. Atthe time we refer to il
was occupied, with feelings of perfect Sc
curity, by Mr.. Busby, an honest and np-
right man, his wife, four children and two
negro men, who had taken shelter from
the storm.
1t was soon ascertained, however, that
no ordinary food was coming down the
river, and in endeavoring to make their es-
cape the sluice was found to be so deep
and rapid that they were unable to cross
it. Alarmed, but stil entertaing a hope
that the water would not reach the house,
they repaired to it for shelter and protec.
ton.
But on dashed the wild and turbulent
element, overlapping with fearful rapidity
the highest point that it was ever before
known to attain, and yet no indications of
abatement. At length the eminence was
reached, then the unwelcome intruder
took possession Of the first story, compell-
ing the family to repair to the second: then
the second story was submerged, and
about o o'clock at night, in the midst of
dismal darkness, with the wild waters rag
ing around them, and all hope of succor
gone, its powerless inmates were almost
frantic with terror and dismay on feeling
the house gently move with the current.
In the meantime, however, one of the
negroes had succeeded in bursting through
the roof, and in taking position upon It's
top, and to this fortunate circumstance
the ultimate safely of the family is doubt
less attributable. He had scarcely gained
the roof before the house commenced
moving off towards the main current of
the stream. But seizing the branch of
tree, he gave it the opposite direction, and
it was left to its fate.
AS the morning dawned, some faint
hope of succor began to glimmer in the
breasts of the terror-stricken family. The
cries Of Ethe negroes, who had found n
place of comparative safety among the
branches Of a tree, attracted the attention
Of a number Of persons on the Laurcns
side of the river, whose curiosity early led
them out to see the ravages Of the flood
Fortunately, among the number was Mr..
James Mckinney, an active and industri-
,,,aohan hn al
cd the construction Of boat, and in an
incredibly short time launched it for its
perilous adventure. For some time no
one dared to brave the resistless element;
but the claims Of humanity soon impelled
Mr.. Taylor formerly Of North Carolina,
and negro of Mr.. Nicely to attempt the
rescue, and, amid breathless suspense, and
at the imminent risk of their own lives,
they struck boldly across the raging cur
rcut for tho terrified negro, and landed
him in safety upon the shore.
Asccrtaining from him the position Of
the house, they next rowcd for it, which
they found some five hundred yards below
the point that it originally occupied and
lodged against a clump Of trees.
T..e daring boatmcn soon landed its
affrighted crew in safety, amid the hearty
cheers of the anxious spectators upon the
shore.
The whole time between the first stroke
in the construction of the boat and the
rescue, occupied but an hour and forty-fve
minutes--an adventure as remarkable for
celebrity and dispatch, as it was for success,
and certainly emitting its participators to
no little share Of public admiration, as well
as the lasting gratitude Of the rescued
family.-Laarensviiie Herald.