The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1867-03-01
The Disaster at Uest Hartford

We gave some particulars of the flood
and loss of life at West Hartford Two
weeks ago, but the following account.
which Is quite minute, we copy from the
Windsor Journal:
Al about 5 A NJ, SUNDAY. the ice in
White river commenced breaking up
about one mile above here. 4 strong
northwest wiHd prevailed, and the river
WAS very much swollen. For fifteen mill
ute> the Ice moved slowly down, but. on
arriving at a point of rockS about a mile
below here, 1t was stopped 10y the Ice
which ha'l accumulated there during Il
treShet In December last. As a natural
consequence, the wafer set back 10 his
village, and, in fifteen minutes thereafter.
had filled the cellars. anl first stories of
sixteen houses, 10 such an extent as 10
drive the tenants either out of doors or 10
the upper stories ot their houses
Tllere came Il scene that i,eggar's de-
ScripiiOn. \ panic seized the minds OF
those in DANGER. There We're many IN
stances OF unparalleled female heroism,
and bravery OF men. There were almost
miraculous escapes from death. Many
people were surprised in bed. and had
barely time TO fly in their nightdress TO
places of safety. Mr.. Beckwiih carried MS
wife and TWO children some distance from
his house through three feet of water and
floating Ice. Mr.. Bechwith's house Is now
completely walled IN by lee up TO the bot
:om a. the second story windows His
barn wa> crashed 10 atoms. Dr Tucker
and family were aroused br very uncere-
moniou> humping ot the ice against
corner of their house. On learning
tie cause they sprang from bed, while
Mr.. L. went 10 liberafe his horse and COW.
Mrs Tucker became alarmed, and taking
her little daughter in her arms, left the
house, but the wafer was more than two
feet deep before her ior distance of fifty
feet. However, she braved The current.
and WAS fortunate enough 10 get through
1 The child had nothing on but lis night
dress. DIR. L. was taken from his CHAM
Der window, in a boat about noon.
Allen Hayes and family were unable TO
leave their house. They were removed
in 4 boat about noon. Mr. IIaves lost
three horses, two COWS, a yoke of oxen,
and twenty sheep. Frank Hollis house
was submerged in wafer, AMI icebound
above the windows OF the first story 4
blicksmith's shop. just over the way. made
him a morning call, and announced It's
coming 10y knocking in the parlor windows
without ceremony. Mr.. Holt lost 4 woke
of oxen and fine cow Willard Hazen
lost 4 COW, horse, and other property,
including goods in his store. Mrs. Nancy
lIazen and family escaped through 4 win
dow IN the upper end of their house. after
seeing her barn and other buildings swept
away. Mr.. Warren should be credited
with the escape of the last named family.
Silas Ilazen lost one hundred and forty
five sheep, and considerable grain. His
house w1ls flooded with water two feet
deep, and the occupants were taken away
IN a boat
Mr.. Henry West while going from his
store, Was caught 10y the food and swept
against tree, which he graSped, and
there being no alternative h. ascended the
tree, and remained nearly an l.ur- Final
! " feed box WAS tloaiel under the tree,
into which he gOi, and was hauled ashore
half frozen
| have TO record one incident, the recol-
lection of which l. extremely painful TO
me. l allude 10 the death of Miss Frank
! Williamson, eldest daughter of y t. VII
hanson. This Young lady endearord to
escape from her fathers house, in company
with Col. ). Pingry. They had nearly
reached a place of safety. when they We're
struck by the fiocd anI separated Miss
w. with admirable presence of mind
caught hold of a fence post, and held 10
the same till the rising water had reached
nearly TO her neck Then. rs she was ell
deavoring TO catch rope thrown TO her,
the post gave way and she WAS carried
away. At a distance of two hundred
feet away she w;ls seen 10 raise her arms
out OF the water, and then 10 sink beneath
the debris and ice Her death cast Il
gloom over our whole society. She was
an amiable young lady, ''whom to know
was to love" She was TO have been
married soon. Col Pingry was carried
away by the flood about ten rods, against
barn. Being intrepid he reclaimed his
feet, and waded out to terra firlna, bat
was chilled, and almost exhausted. His
escape was marvellous.
e. ! manufacturing in Nau Nnrl- H..