The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-03-23

GREAT FREsHET- HEAVY Loss OF PROP
ERTY-DELUGE OF WATERS UNPARALLELED
IN THE HISTORY OF THE CoUNTRY.-Never
in the history of the country has such a del
uge of waters covered the land as did here
during the past week. The rain fell in tor
rents, at short intervals, for four days and
nights, which, together with the melting
snow from the adjacent mountains, has swol-
len the different streams of water through
out the country to such all extent as has new
er previously been known. The Hoiston at
this point is higher than has ever been
known by the oldest inhabitants, being,
from the most reliable information we have
been able to gain, about seven or eight feet
higher than it was in the great freshet of
March, 1891.
For the greater portion of last week, moth
inc was thought or talked of but the flood,
and hundreds of our citizens, of all ages,
sexes and colors, crowded along the river
bank to behold the turbid waters dash i'm
petuously forward, carrying everything away
by their irresistible power, bidding sullen
defiance to the weak effort of bystanders to
prevent them from accomplishing their de-
structivc purposes.
The losses to the people throughout East
Tennessee by the flood are very heavy. Mes
srs. L. J. and G.. w. Cocker have sustained
very heavy loss, consisting of machinery
and lumber. Their extensive establishment
near Parks ferry, on the Holston, which was
almost new, was carried away, consisting OF
a saw mill and grist mill. They also lost at
the same place about six hundred thousand
feet of lumber.
The steam saw mill of G.. W. Park was
almost entirely swept away, and their valua
BILE machinery destroyed.
The valuable machinery at the mouth of
first creek, the property of S. I. Atkin,
which has been run by Messrs. Casper d
Davis. as a sash, blind and door factory, was
carried away, cntailing heavy loss on the
owners. and one of much importance to the
entire community, it being the only establish
ment of the kind in the city.
The old red warehouse which stood on the
bank of the HoIston here, was carried away,
and sailed majestically down the river, no
doubt the largest q" craft" that has ever gone
down the waters of the Holston.
The bridge over the Holston at this place.
built by the military authorities, and since
purchased by the county, after standing up
nobly against the waves for full twelve hours
longer than was expected by its most san
guine friends, was finally compelled to yield
to the irresistible power of the maddened
pillows, and gave way, to the sorrow of the
entire community.
The Main street bridge, over first creek,
]iiiAN"S
destroyed The Cumberland street bridge,
over the same creek, was kept to its place
by the energy of Judge Jones, but Is very
much damaged.
Numerous dwelling houses were carried
away, and many Others seriously damag-
cd
The Railroad bridge over the Holston at
Strawberry Plains was swept away, or at
least three spans, two of which were caught
against the piers of the projected bridge of
the Knoxville and Charleston road here, and
by the energetic efforts of some of our boat
men, was secured, and will probably prove
valuable in the reconstruction of the bridge.
The news from the surrounding country,
though at the present writing Monday,
morning. very indefinite and uncertain. is of
the most distressing character. 1t is said
that not single mill of any kind is left
standing on Little river, while dwelling
houses, barns, out-houses, and property OF
every description on the river, is entirely de-
stroyed, French Broad river, it is said, has
been fifteen feet higher than has ever before
been known by the oldest inhabitants
RnoruiLLe Register. y