Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-02-27
Letter from tine Overlooked
Region.

FRIEND RITzEL You have undoubt-
edly seen some and heard of many floods,
Noab's for ~lnstance.) But did you ever
experience one? Judging from the cool
manner in which you speak of the late
food, 1 should think you had not "been
there" I tell you, sir-viewing it from
my stand poi=t, it was something to get
ercited over. Let me try TO desribe
My residence is located on the flats,
about one hundred yards from the river
bank, and midway between two bends.
The river, about a half a mile above,
changing from a southernly to N easternly
course, and near the same distance below,
turning again, short off 10 the south, the
channel being very crooked for some dis
lance below. For more than two weeks
previous to the late food, the ice had been
packed and wedged in, so asto completely
FL the channel, from 8 point directly OPP
posite my house, to a distance gilmore than
a mile below. On Thursday, the 18th
inst, the water began TO rise, and by sun
set was running over the banks inS1Rany
places. About midnight, my wife awaken
cd me, having been aroused by a terrible
booming, gurgling noise, aroundth house.
Immediately l went to the west door, and
saw the water rolling in a swift torrent
from the river, toward the lower grounds,
northward. In fifteen minutes il had risen
some two feet, and retreat by land was al
ready cut OF. 1 at one went to work
clearing my cellar. By two o'clock, the
water, had come up at least three feet high
er. Occasionally, I would look out, but
all was darkness and desolation. Until
daylight appeared, you can bett.r ''phan-
sy my pheelInks," than l can describe
them. Ice on three sides, and water, mater
everywhere, still rising. In the morning,
on going to the upper windows, where we
had a clear view of the situation.' we
could see the vast columns of ice, moving
down with great velocity, until it would
strike the head Of the gorge with incon-
ceivable force, and then roll suddenly of
IN a southeasternly direction, away across
Lanes flats, seeking an outlet, but finally
making a lodgment there. Huge cakes
of ice would sometimes be forced upward
eight or ten feet a~bovethe water level, to
either remain there or fall back with 3
crash. The sight was truly sublime-aw-
fully grand. The impetuous rushing. boil
ing, seething of the mad waters the
grOaning, crashing, laundering of the Ice,
was enough to inspire the dullest mind,
a q sAAOAz SG4G6 VI II mdlEcE4C G4u
terrific. knew perfectly well, that unless
the main gorge gave way, tand-lt had
Withstood shocks of almost earthquake
power Lanes fiat would soon be filled,
and then-should the ice above Leavitts-
burg come down, it must necessarily pass
to tho northward of my house, and posi-
bly, might make q clean sweep of the
buildings most exposed. Indeed this SEEM
ed highly probable.
By ten o'clock Friday forenoon there
was very little ice coming down, and the
water ceased rising; beng then within
about two feet of the first floor of my
house. Directly west of the house, and
about two rods therefrom, there was a
strong hoard fence, which had kept some
three acres of loose ice THAT hoated on
Comparatively still water,) from closing
in, arounl rs. Blythe helpofsome friends
and s boat. I now made my way to the
outside world to learn if possible the con-
dition of things up the river. To my dis
NAV. I heard that there was any amount
of ice still to come from miles above. I
home, and we all went to work
with a will. removing goods to the second
floor. About half past three p. NJ. the
water again began to rise rapidly; the ice
soon filed the channel around the upper
bend, and g swift current came pouring
through on the north of US. Then it was,
that I began to think that distance
would lend ~enchantment 10 the view,"
and like Richard No. 8, calling for an
'orSe, I, called loudly for q boat; which,
thanks to many kind and sympathizing
friends, soon came to our relief, and after
having taken myself and family with two
other families aboard, and q manly battle
with the strong current. succeeded in
landing US safely about fifty rods from
nv house. where we were met by good
friends and neighbors who generously ten
dered their Inequalities, which were CRATE
fully accepted. On Saturday morning 1
visited the scene Ofmy late ''big scare" and
found that the food, after having reached
to within a few inches of the lower floor
of my house, playing smash generally
with out-houses, fences, &c, in that neigh
borhood, had suddenly began 10 subside.-
This 1 nave since learned, was in conse-
quence of a few bold and adventurous
men, Whose names l am sorry I have not
got going upon and cutting away some
large cakes of ice at the lower end of the
gorge, Thus unlocking, and opening a
way for the entire mass to pass down the
river. As this article has already grown
someghat lengthy, 1 will SIMPLY add,
that since the waters have left us-down
in the flooded district matters and things
generally, look very desolate, and smell
awful Jfshey. The fact of our having had
no less than four floods in less than q year,
and that 1fShy smell combined, has led me
into a peculiar train of thoughts and re-
Elections. fit is true that a child has
been born, down in the oyster regions of
Chesapeake Bay. with oyster shell finger
and toe nails, is it not reasonable TO be-
lieve that eventually the children born In
South Warren, will partake ofthe natures
either Of aquatic birds, or of fishes; HAY
either web feet, or fms? 1t is said al
ready, that the babies lately born down
there, partake largely of the nature OF