National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1866-01-05

anu the inhabitants ran out OF their
houses Just III time IL behold the
numerous uniting streams. that had
come pouring down from the encir-
cling mountain, gathering into a
mighty river that swept away shan
ties, fences, old trees,j logs. lumber
and everything in its path. and bear
ing them in wild confusion on its
surface, went toaming. tumbling and
roaring, Ike a cateract, with amaz-
ing force, down the valley toward
the Quiet, three or four miles below.
But the principal scene arising
from the destructive and fatal pro
gress occurred at a saw-mill. owned
by Nh. Oren Clark, and situated
about a mile from the mouth of the
Stream.-When the storm was
Spending It's force on the sides fthe
mountain and the basin beneath. Mr..
clark was at work in field near the
null with his hired man, Ebenezer
Eastman, And being appraised by
tlie great volume and blackness of
the clouds hanging over the noun
| tam at the west, that an unusual
shower was falling round the sources
OF the stream, they proceeded at once
to the mil andcOmmenced such tenn
! porary repairs Of the dam and tlume
as would, they believed. secure them
against the rush OF water, which. in
greater or less quantities, they knew
would soon be down upon them.
Nhllc deeply engrossed in hurrying
forward the contemplated repairs,
they were aroused by deaiening
roar that burst suddenly upon their
ears from the stream but a short dis
lance above the mill; when looking
up, they bcheld to their astonish,
ment and alarm, wild, tumultuous
sea OF commlngllng flood wood and
turbld waters, with Il wallile front 10
feet high, tumbling and rolling down
upon them with furious uproar. and
with the speed Of the wind. Know
ing that the mill could not stand he.
lore such an avalanche Of water.
anu beginning to be especially
alarmed for their personal safety,
they attempted to secure retreat
over the log-way which extended
from the mill to the high grounds
I'VE or SIX rods distant. Over this
they made their way with all posi-
bic speed. But such was the veloc.
lty OF the on-rushing torrent that
they had not proceeded half way be.
fore the mill building came down
with a crash behind them, the log.
way was swept from beneath their
feet, and the next moment they were
struggling for their lives in Hood a
dozen feet deep, toaming, boiling,
ana SO filled with trees, timber and
all sorts OF ruins, that it did not seem
possible for a human being to be
borne along in the frightlully whirl
ing mass and live single minute.
saw Eastman once" said Mr..
Clark in describing to me this, the
most terrible scene of his life. {" It
was when ! rose to the surface af
ter the first plunge. lie was strug-
cling desperately to get his head
above the tiood-wood. But I saw
hlm no more for the next moment,
l was borne down beneath the sur
face by Il raft of logs that swept
over me. From that time | was
whlrlcd onward with my head some.
times below, and sometimes above
the water, till | found myself near.
lngthe wooded bank on the opposite
side of the stream, when soon came
within reach of u small tree. which
| graSped and held on to, till | be.
gan to count myself saved. But
the tree quickly came up by the
roots and | was again plunged into
the flood. But though now nearly
: in despair struggled on. and soon
: was fortunate enough to grasp an
other sapllng by the means of which
| at length drew myself ashore and
fell down half drowned and hall
dead from bruises and exhaustion.
1t was now nearly dark. After raj
; lying my strength u little, / com
menced crawling and stumbling
through the tangled thckets along
up the stream till, after struggl.
OF seeming hours, at last reached
a point opposite my house. where.
by loud hallooing. rallied my fami.
ly, who believed me lost, and inform.
ed them | would proceed on to the
next house, on that side, stay all
/ night. I h next morning
reached home, where | was received
as one risen from the dead.
The remains of Eastman was found
the next day washed up near the
mouth ofthc stream on the meadow
of Samuel Jones. who was injured
; IN the loss of crops, the covering OF
l. his lands by flood. and washing
away the soil, to the amount of three
hundred dollars, Whether Eastman
was drowned, or killed bv bcinp
crushed among the logs. was never
J. known. Either cause was Snliicicu,
to have produced his death.
Snch were the leading events at
tending the memorable thunder
storm on Jones Brook. II.