Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-07-01
A Sad Story of he Flood.

We gave few days since a brief ac-
coun; of the terrible calamity by the flo cd
at the village of Roscoe, Illinois The
following particulars we take from the
Rockford (Ill.) Reo,stcr of June 9th:
awe now proceed with the Rev Mr..
lsley's history Of the occurrence, which he
gave before the inquest He says: The
rain commenced 10 fall at about five o'clock
on Thursday afternoon, and increased in
force until a5ont ten. At this tine they
did not feel alarmed. although the creek was
rising very fast. They did not know anv
thing about the railroad or the culvert then,
At nine O'Clock the water was up around
the house, and rushing by with great force
Mr. |. proposed to his family to leave the
house; but as men who were in the neigh
borhood had told them they had seen the
water much higher than i. was now, they
conc luded not 10 60 out. At about IL o.
clock Messers. Thompson, Lane and Tow
ers got up to the house and told them they
thought there was no danger, as the water
had lowered. Mr.. 1sley vert to the door
and measured the height OF the water, and
found it had fallen four or five inches
Having concluded to remain in the house,
the five younger chi dren were sent to oed
and shortly after the balance of the family
met 10 the lower room and had had prayers,
preparatory to retiring also. The other
children wen: up stairs, and BIr. Islev
opposed to his wife to remain up a short
time longer. This must have been about
- or III o'clock. Just after the three
children went up there was great rush of
water past the house, and Mr.. I. went to
the hall door with lantern and looked out.
He found the water rushing by with tre-
mendous force on all sides of him ard COM
ing in at the door. He called loudly for
help several times, but the water was too
deep, and rushing with such tremendous
force that no one could get near the ILL
fated house. Mrs. Isley called to Horatio,
the eldest son, and ran up stairs immediate
ly- She then called to her husband to come
up, which he did. and, opening one of the
windows, again screamed for help, but in
vain. At this time he was coming
out of his study, and was standing in
the entry, when he heard the children cry
out father! father! and at the same no
mert he saw one end Of the house fall out
with crash. He then felt the whole house
swayiug up and down. like boat on wave,
and then it fell into ruins. Just as it fell
he heard his wife scream. and that was the
last he heard or saw OF his family. He
Immediately found himself in the water
not knowing how be got there, and with no
power TO help himself, was tossed about and
hurried along with great velocity to the
river. He took in some water then, but had
presence of mind enough TO guard against
taking in any more, and try to keep his
head above water. His own simple and
touching words best describe his feelings
at this awful moment, and shows his faith
in that be 70 long has served. He said: Il
then CONNIE nded my soul and nv fsmily to
God, expecting to meet Him and them in
eternity in moment; and almost wish
had He was carried on until he struck
against some food " ood, and soon after MAS
thrown against tree. into hich he elm.
bed, and managed to maintain himself for
some two hours, during which time the peo-
pie had discovered him aud were making a
raft to rescue him, when Mr.. Richards on
swan out to him, and got hold Of him jus,
as his strength tailed him and he was drop
ping off the limb. When it is remembered
that Mr.. /. has but one leg and was in deli
cate health, his escape from death is almos,
miraculous.
The family consisted of ten persons
father, mother, four sons, and four duught-
ers. They were, we are informed, a moet
interesting family, and we heard but one
expression in regard to their loss"