Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1858-06-25
Heart Rending Narratire.

We have published brief account of the
sweeping away of the house of Rev. Mr.. H.
sey of Roscoe, Illinois. by which his wife and
eight children were drowned, butthe tale of
that night, as told by the Rev. gentleman
before the jury of inquest is sad and touch
ing. He said:
The rain commenced 10 fall about O'Clock
on Thursday afternoon and increased in force
until about 10. At 9 O'Clock the water was
up around the house, and rushing By with
great force; MIR. I. proposed to bis family TO
leave the house, but as men who were in the
neighborhood had told them they had seen
the water much higher than it was now, they
| concluded not to 60 CUT At about / o.
| clock, Messrs. Thompson, Lane and Tow
/ ers got up to the house and told than they
| thought there was no danger, as The water
had lowered. Mr.. Ilsey went to the door
and measured The height Of the water, and
fornd it had fallen four or five inches
Having concluded to remain in the house.
the FIVE younger children were sent to bed,
aEd shortly after she balance of the family
met in the lower room and had prayers, pre-
| paratory to retiring Also The other children
/ then went up stairs, and Mr.. Iisey proposed
to his wife TO remain up short time longer.
This must have been about ii or | IL o.
clock. Just after the three children went
up, there was great rush OF water past the
house, and Mr.. /. went to the hail door with
a lantern, and looked cut. He found the
water rushing by with tremendous force on
all sides of him and coming in at the door.
1 He called loudly for help several times, but
the water was too deep, and rushing with
such tremendous force thai no one could get
/ by the ili-fated house. s..
Mrs. Ilsey called to Horatio, the eFlest
son, and ran up stairs immediately She
then called 10 her husband 10 come up, which
he did, and opening one OF the windows, a.
gaia screamed for help, but vain. Atsthis
time he WAS just coming out OF his study,
and was standing in the entry, when ne
heard the children cry out, Father, Father,
and at the same moment he saw one end Oh
house fall out with crash He then teH The
whole house sway up aud down like boa'
on a wave, and then fell into ruins. Just as
it fell be heard his wife screams antl that wa:
the last ne heard OF saw of his family. he
immediately found himself in the water, mo-
knowing bow he got there, ard with 30 pow
er to help himself, was sossed about and huT
ried along with great velocity to the river; he
eooh in scme water then, but had presence o
mind enoagh to guard against taking III ans
more, and tried to seep his head above wa
ter. His own simple and touching word:
best describe his feeling at this awful mo
ment, and shows his faith in that Sod he 81
long has served He said: 81 then com
menjed my soul to tiod expecting to mee
Him and them in eternity in moment, ar
almost wish had'' He was carried OF
until he struck against some foodwood, an
soon after he was thrown against tree int
which he climbed, and managed to maintai
himself for some two hours, during whc
time the people had discovered him, an
were making a raft to rescue himy when M'
Richardson swan out to him, and got hol
of him Just as his strength was failing hiE
and he was dropping off the litsb.
The family thus suddenly cut off have OF
: ly resided in Roscoe short time. Mr.. llse
having come from Beloit to take charge c
the Congregational Society of that village
;, The family consisted of ten persons-fathe
mother, four sons and four daughters. Til
eldest son was engaged in Marshall 81
sey's Bank, in Milwaukee, and was hoG
on a visit. ]. P. Ilsey, of Milwaukee, Is h
uncle. He was 10 return to his business t
, day. Rev. Mr.. |. is also brother-in- la
y OF e: T. Tin6ham, ESQ, OF Chicago. Fhe
were, we are informed, most interestir
:, family aud we have heard but one exPressi'
in regard to their loss.
AT daylight Friday morning search w
; CONNIE need for the bodies and soon fo
- were found. The babe and the youn
~ est girl were found on the bed upon viii
- !, they had laid down the night before. and Il
y :, other two near by. When the babe W
:. foa4lti it held in lis hand, on its breast, t
watch which its brother had given it I
:, night before to play with, and strange to s
,s the watch was uninnfed and still going!