The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-06-16

FKIGHTFUL SC&NE.--The drowning of the wife
and eight children Of the Rev. Horato IIsley, iu
a 'od a5 Roscoe. III, has been noticed. The fol
lowing is the statement of sIr. Ilsley, who was the
only survivor Of the family:
The rain commenced 10 fall at about five O'Clock
| on Thursday afternoon and Increased 10 force un
Ill about ten. At this time they did not fee
alarmed although the creek was r.ing very fast
fbey did not know anything abont the railr, al OF
| the cuIyert them at O'Clock the water was u
| are und the house and rushing with great force
Mr.. lisIey proposed to his family to leave I'll,
| house, but as men who were in the ueis ishburhooC
| told him they had seen the water much higher
han it was then, they concluded not to go out
| At about eleven o'clock Messrs. Thompson, Lane
| aud ToweIs got up TO the house and told
| them they thought there was no danger tbs
SaIer had lowered: Mr. iisey went to the
| iJor AMI measured the heighih Of the water anf
found that it had fallen four or FIVE inches III.
lad previously measured the heighih of the water
and marked where it then stood) From some o
those gentlemen who were at the house at thu
tme We learned that they took the clothes on the
iiue and handed them to the family, and MIR Lane
said if they wished TO leave the house he woulc
carry them through the water. Having concInd
ed to remain 10 the house, the five younger chill
dreu were seat 10 bed, and shortly after the ba
lance of the family met in the lower room, and
had prayers preparatory TO retiring aIso Tn.
other children then went up stairs, and sfr Ilsby
proposed to his wife 10 remain up a short time
longer. This must have been about eleven or hall
past eleven o'clock.
Just after the three children went up there wa.
great rush OF water pasted the house. and Mrs
L. went to the hall door with lantern and look ed
out. She fourd the water rushing by with tre-
mend0us force all sides of her, aud coming ip
at the door. She called loudly for help several
times, but the water was too deep, and rushing
with such tremendous force that no one could the
get near the illfated house. Mrs. Isiey called &,
Uoratio, the eldest son, and ran I'D stairs imedi-
al %ha lpI 70 hen nd
which be did. and, opening one of the windows
again screamed for help, but in vain. At this time
he was just coming out of his study, I'd was
standing the entry, when he heard the children
cry out, Father father aud at the same moment
he saw one eud Of the house fall out with a crash
lie then iet the whole body swaying up and down
like boat Gn wave, and then it fell into ruins
Just it fell he heard hts wife scream, and that
WAS the last he heard of his family. He mmedi
ateiy found himself III the water, not knowing how
he got there and with power to help himself,
he Was tossed abont aud hurried along With great
velocity 10 the river he took in some water then,
bnt had presence Of mind enough to guard against
taking in any more, aud try to Keep his head
above water. His own simple and touching words
| best describe his feelings at this awful moment.
| aud shows his faith ia that Gud he so long has
| served. He said: Il then commen nded my soul
| and my family 10 God, EXPECTING to meet him and
in eternity IN II moment; and almost wish had. "
| lie carried on until he struck against sOnie
! foodwood, and soon after was thrown against a
| tree, into which he climbed, and managed to
maintain himeeli for some two hours during which
the people had discovered him, and maki1e
| q raft to rescue him, when Mr.. Richardson swan
to him. and got bold of him just as his strength
| Jailed bin, aud he was dropping eff the limb.
| Sir. Ilsley foi nFerly lived ia Monsou, Me-, but
more receu tiy in Dixon, Ill. Mr.. j. had recently
| removed To Roscoe. and taken charge of the Con
gregatioaal church ia that town, under ciTcum
stances OF much promise His eldest son, who had
been absent ten mouths in MiiSaukie. had just re
turDed home on visit, and at the time OF the ae
cideut, FOR the first time iu ten months his
| family all at hume.