Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-02-22

The FLOOD AT W EST HAETFoRD.-We make
the following extracts from letter in the
CrOnicle dated Feb. llth:
At about A. VI. the ice in White river com
mencel brcakirg up about one mile above here
A strong northwest wind prevailed. and the
river was very much swollen. For fifteen min
uies the ice moved slowly down, but, on arriv-
ing at point OF rocks about a mile below here,
II was sotpped by the ice which had accumu-
lated there during freshet in December last
AS natural consequence, the water set back %
this village, and, in fifteen minutes Thereafter
had hled the cellars, and hrst stories Of sixteen
houses, 10 such an extent as 10 drive the tenants
either cut Of doors, or to the upper stories Of
their houses. Many people were surprised in
bed, and had barely time to fly in their night
dress to places Of safety Mr.. Beckwith carried
his wife and two children some distance from
his house through three feet Of water and hoat-
ing ice. Mr.. Beekwith's house Is now complete
Is walled in BY ice up to the bottom of the
second story windows HIS barn was crushed
TO stoms, and he is almost ruined in property
Dr. Tucker and family were aroused by very
uueeremonious humping Of the ice against a
corner Of their house. On learning the cause
they sprsng from bed, while DR.. T. went to lib
crate his horse and cow. Mrs Tucker became
alarmed, and taking her little daughter in her
arms, LEFT the house, but the water was more
than two feet deep b efore her for distance Of
fifty feet. However, she bcaved the current,
and was fortunate enough to get through,
though with only strength enough left TO crawl
a short distance further on, where she and the
child we're found by Willie Tucker, who con-
yeyed them both to a place Of safety and COM
fort. The child had nothing on but its night
1raea he r Oh ~
window in a boat about noon.
Allen Hayes and family were unable to leave
their house. They were removed in boat
about noon. 4lr. Hayes lost three horses, two
COWS. yoke Of oxen, and twenty sheep. Frank
Hollis house was submerged in water, and ice
bound above the windows Of the first story. 4
blacksmith's shop, Just over the way, made him
a morning call, and announced It's coming by
knocking IN the psrlor windows without cere-
mOny.
Silas Hazen lost one hundred and forty-fve
sheep, and considerable grain. His house vas
flooded with water two feet deep, and the oecu-
pants we're taken away in a boat. The bridge
over the river Was swept down by the ice, AMI
now lies almost entire, about one hundred yards
down the river.
Mr. Henry West while going from his store,
was caught by the flood and swept against
tree, which he graspei, and there being no al
tentative he assembled the tree, and remained
nearly an hour. Finally feed-b0x was f0ated
under the tree, into which he got, and was
hauel ashore half frozen
Hiss Williamson and Colonel s Pingry,
had nearly reached a place Of safety,
when they we're struck by the Hood and sepa-
rated. Miss W with admirable presence Of
mind caught hold Of fence post, and held to
the same I'LL the rising water had reached near
| ly TO her neck Then, as she was endeavoring
I u catch 4 rope thrown to her, the post gave
way AID she was carried away. At distance
/ Of two hundred feet away she was seen to raise
| her arms out Of the water, and then to sink be-
meath the debris and ice. Col Pingry was car
ried away BY the Hood about ten rods, sgains, a
barn, regained his feet, AMI Wadei out to terra
I frna, chilled, and almost exhausted. His e.
I cape was marvellous.