Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-09-09
Twin Children IN an OverfIowed
Basement-A Thrilling scene.
from The Phlladelphla Pres.

The tremendous waterfall on Monday afterl
noon seems to have been confined 70 very
small space Of Philadelphia, comparatively
speaking. The vein Of clouds from which the
water fell so copiously extended in a northeast
erly and southwes,erly direction. IL would seem
as though the sun had drawn the water from what
may be considered the horizon of PhiladelDhis,
and then empted il along the common center
The heavy rain appeared 20 - couple of miles
vide, and about seven miles long There were
doubtless many scenes of thrilling interest during
that Eaiery- hour. How people Who reside on
the lower grades Of the part visited by the storm
hurried 10 and fro TO save their household effects
might form q theme for large volume. There
was one scene foil of terrible and thrilling int
rest. In the southwestern part Of the city there
are loca ted twelve houses with basement kiteh-
ems. The occupants tidy, industrious and
respectable, the families being those of pretty
sell-to-do mechanics. Into these Easements the
water flowed with impetuOsity, and so fast that
families in the upper parts OF the houses did not
know their cellars we're full until going down
stairs. In one Of the basement kitchens a
couple of twin children, little boys, were asleep
in a cradle. The mother. Mrs. Sarah Johnson
was up stairs attending 10 some household duties,
not being aware OF the nundatcn that had taken
place. Her surprise may be imagined, upon de
soending, to And the water even with the top step
of the stairway leading into the basement
Terror of the most thrilling kind seized upon
her mind when she thought of her innocent
babes. La vain did she attempt to 60 down
stairs. but the water reached Der neck as her feet
touched the lower steps. Ii was time of horror
for her. She hastily to the street, screaming
at the top ct her lungs for help.
"Help help help 20 she cried. and her shrll
voice was heard above the petings OF the pitiless
storm.
off hara - -
the overhowed water.
Whats the matter? what's the m.tteri' they
hurriediy asked. The poor woman presented
the picture of despair.
"Save my babes" was all that she CALCULATED,
as she swooned aud fell The officers rescued
her, or she would have been drowned the next
moment in two feet Of water
Where, madam, your bsbiesI" hurriedly
inquired the officers, "a the poor woman partly
recovered from the shock that she had received
There !" said She "a her eyes gazed wildly
There J" pointing 10 the oyertOsed basement
Good heavens ! exclaimed the officers: they
are drowned"
As the word drowned fell upon the ear Of the
Departing mother she again tainted aud Was
carried into a neighboring house.
The officers entered the dwelling where the
children were, and presently the little ones began
to cry. Ii sounded like the voice of a spirit
coming rom tue water. Other people arrived,
for by this time the rain had ceased to fall 1t
was ascertained the twins we're in a cradle, and
that it must be floating with them. The force
of the water had buoyed il up gainst the ceiling,
but where could not be exactly told
The mother had by this time become more
reconciled to the situation. Her neighbors
cheered her; the men already at hand spoke
words of encouragement. 1.-THE children still
live" said they, "lor we heard them CRY, and
they are floating in the cradle" The anxious
maternal told the men that she had left the
cradle near the center of the basement Ears
were strained to their utmost power to catch the
sound OF the voices of the seemingly doomed
babes; but not a breath nor a sound could be
heard save the dripping or the gurgling of the
water. Ii was now time vi despair and terror
to all. The men present, however, preserye ed
their presence of mind, and did not relate their
doubts and misgivings, although they believed
then that the stiffness of the babes-tor the cry
ing had ceased-was that of death. The car
pet on the first floor was removed. and one of
the police officers, being a house carpenter, pro
cured Ratchet, chisel, saw and auger, and in
five minutes bad portion of the floor torn up.
The precise position Of the cradle was ascertain
ed, and il was drawn beneath a hole that was
cut through the foor and ceiling between the
lolSt. This was a mOmentous period The
babes were still in the repose OF slumber, and
sucking each others thumbs. A smile PLAYED
upon their chubby faces, as though the little in
nocents were enjoying the dreams of angels. The
mothers joy may be imagined at the restoration
but cannot be described.