The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-09-08
By tbe Iust Jflnlls.
From the Daily Banner.
Most Destructive Freehet.

structlve treshetS with which we have ey-
er been visited. The Congarec attained
height, on Sunday last, never equallcd
i'll the memory of ''the oldest inhabitant,"
1t is estimated that it was fully five feet
higher than in the memorable treshet OF
1S4O. The Broad River Bridge is, for
the most part, gone. The magnificent
Bridge across the Congarce, near our
town, was in imminent danger, owing to
the immense volume of water, and the
vast accumulation of drift wood &c, rush
inc tilrio,lsly against it, but it has thus far
happily escaped. The timbcrs of the
Broad River Bridge struck with great
force against the Western end and it was
feared that the pressure would be too great,
even for such noble structure to with
stand-but is passed the fiery or1e Il safely
At the time we last visited the Conga-
rec Bridge, Q2 o'clock Yesterday the
water was still as high as the flooring
though gradually reccding. 1t had then
fallen about two feet. The water was still
running through DIR. +. w. Green's mills,
who we regret to say, will be sufferer
from this disastrous flood.
The Saluda Bridge, we are happy to
say, is safe.
The destruction on the Grcenvillc and
Columbia Rail Road between this and
Newberry, is very great, and it will re-
Quirc some time and no inconsidcrable ex-
pensc to repair the damage done. II was
rumored that the Rail Road Bridge across
Broad River at Aston, had been swept
away, and there is still some doubt as to
its safety. That a great extent of the
trestle work between Columbia and Aston
has been materially injured or DESTROYED,
there is no doubt.
All of the low grounds on our rivers
have been covered, the destruction of crops
of cotton, corn, stock, &c, is incalculable.
The loss of our Planters, not only on the
COngarec, but the Broad and Saluda, is
exceedingly great, and when we consider
that this has been the misfortune of many
of them for three successive years the pre-
sent disaster becomes one of APPALLING
magnitude.
We have, as yet, heard of no lives be-
ing lost, though we heard of the very mar
row escape ofmany negroes in the swamps
and low grounds, SO sudden was the rise
and rush of the flood.
We are waiting, with much anxiety for
further particulars.
Since the above was written we have
learned that three spans of the Rail Road
Bridge across the river at Aston have
been swept away, leaving one ut each
bank standing; that the Rail Road Bridge
across the Congaree on the South Caro-
lima Rail Road was carried away about 3
o'clock yesterday evening, just after the
passengers from Charleston had crossed it
on foot. We learn too, through some of
the passengers who came up from Char
lesion, that Mr.. Connor the President, had
received telegraphic despatch from Au-
gusta, stating that the Savannah River
. was feet higher than in the freshet OF
1910, if this be true, Augusta must be
partially under water, and Hamburg en-
tirely submerged.
We also hear that the bridge and much
of the trestle work across the Wateree
swamp, and the bridge across the river at
Camden; have been swept away.
This is unquestionably, by far the most
disastrous flood with which this section OF
country was ever visited. The accounts
of the injury and destruction of property
multiply every hour, until they have be-
come absolutely appalling. Several days
must clapse before we can ascertain the
extent of the damage done, and still
longer time before the means of intercom-
munication with Newberry, Lexington,
and Camden, can be re-cstablished.
AS we remarked yesterday, we abstain
ed from publication of some of the pain
full rumors which were in circulation, in
volving the loss of life inasmuch as we
feared to inflict what might prove to be
unnecessary pain on surviving friends
We had particular reference to Col. w.
Spencer Brown, the Chief Engineer of
the Greenville and Columbia Railroad,
who, in company with two other men and
a boy, had been upset in Broad River, on
Monday evening, in a batteau. There re-
mains no longer a doubt that the little
boy was drowned, for his remains were
recovered, brought to Columbia, and in
tered yesterday. 1t pains us to say, too,
that the last hope for the safety of Col.
b., is almost extinguished. 1t seems that
Col. Brown accompanied by Mr.. McCol-
lum and his little son, "a lad II or 13
years old,) and Mr.. } Jefferson, started from
Aston in batteau, on Monday evening,
to explore the River along the Railroad,
with the view to ascertain the damage
done to the trestle work and bridges
Becoming wearicd from working the boat,
as we learn Col. Brown proposed that
they should push out into the River where
there was a strong current, which would
carry them without any exertions on their
part. The experiment through consider
ed dangerous one by some of the party,
was tried; but they had not been long in
the current before the boat was capsized.
1t seems that Mr.. Jefferson clung to the
boat while the others became detached
and endeavered to save themselves by
swimming. Mr.. McCollum and his little son
swan for some time-when the little fell
a loo, IL l.