Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1852-04-22
GREAT rREsHET air H4.PERs-
FERRY ).

Our county has been visited bJ awful calamity
The Oldest inhabitants never before witnessed such rise
in the waters Of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers
The inundatoa upon US se an avalanche
unexpected and overwhelming.
1t commenced raining about o'clock r. NJ, on Sa;ar-
day last and continued witou; termiason, unt Tues
day at noon. II fl. however, sgently that no cne
ticipacd than ordinary dwelling Of the streams
On Monday fearful orebsdngs began ID be entertained
by the sorely stricken inhabitants residing near the
pnetion Of the two ftll there was no dread
that the high water marks known for century
would become submerged--thak the ever memorable
frcshet Of 1871, would be pulling stream, compared
with the angry, terrible and stating torrent thary
quickly rush upon then drive them from their fire.
sides and leave their habtation look affair." like islands
dotted over the There wah lhougn expeeta-
ton like this, and consequently extraordinary effort
made to remove their household effects, their food
and garments Of reach Of TIL, destructive element
BY Tuesday morning the stfccts Ct Harpcrs Ferry,
had become channels for mighty rivers ard the second
aad third stories and housctobs, resting places for iis
distressed inhabitaas.
Boats gondoas and RATS were brought into requistcn
TO remove many flmiIics fron their cherished homes
20 the neighboring hills where they could behold, with
ffightl minds and hearts, hher every earthly
fort beccne apfey to the "anbrdlcd foed" Who, I'M
less his heart made Of stone could witness scenes
Like these and NOT she'd tears of blood !.
pcrsonp were borne into cteEnty uI5a the troubled
bosom Of this Inland Two fimilics heard at
midaslt. amid the din Of this WAR Of elements, crying
Ter help but before mornings dawn their habitations
more to be scen-ha,Eng been carried away by
the resistlcss current.
4 II there time when il should become the
siti.ens Of Jefersonthc acknowledged garden spot Of
this good old Commonwealth Ito give substantial evil
enee Of their charity Of their philanthropy Of their
mainly, in word; Of the posse Of those noble traits
Of character which should aor the character Of human
beings formed after the image of their Maker,
TINE mas COME. Then viii lie, WHOSE affective dis
pensation brought these wocb reward them ten fod
p. S.-The destruction Of property j. beyond all de-
serption. Every house on Shenandoah and Potomac
streets was almost entirely submerged-the water be-
ing six feet higher than any other period within the
recollection Of All the bridges, one on the
WiHchcster Rail Road from Shenandoah City to the
Ferry together with the trcse work. and portion of
the road is goacaso the bragc leading Herrs Mill
Great damage has also been done the Chesapeake and
ohiocanal. Although the water was up to the Pete
mac Bridge, yet il withstood Tie tide, and is safe.
The loss Of properly belonging 10 The S.sAr-
mory, as well as TO private citizens, cannot at
present be estimated, blu, il very great. We viii
next week To give particulars.
We trust oar Representative in Congress viii
make eiior, 10 procure ali appfopr alton for the
relief OF the artizans Of Hprbers Ferry. They are
part and parcel Of the government; and they should
not be per nined 10 sustain The heavy losses with
r0ffon -5so~.