The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1867-08-23
The Late Heavy Rains.

from any point where more or less damage has
not been done. Onevery stream almost in the
county, this is the case, all of them being unu-
sually high. On Winters Run, the mll-dam of
William II. Waters, together with his mill, we
understand, sustained considerable injury, while
the wing walls of the bridge, at Wetheralps
Mill, not far above Mr.. Waters, were carried
away, and more or less injury done to private
property in that vicinity. Further down the
run much more damage was done. The mill
property known as Archer's Mill, received con-
siderable injury. Some of the tenant houses
were flooded and one of them, we understand,
narrowly escaped being carried away. Below
this point, at what is known as the Ring Facto-
ry, the bridge was entirely destroyed. Lower
down the stream, at Whitaker's Mill, the de-
struction was very great. The mil-dam was
entirely swept away, and much other damage
done. AT McHenry's Mill, situated further down
the stream, great destruction of property took
place. The mill was flooded, the dam carried
away, and the race much injured The bridge
at this point was also destroyed. Below this
again, much damage was done by the fields
being flooded. The bridge on the Baltimore
and Philadelphia Turnpike received some inju-
ry, but not, we believe, of serious chara cter
The water rose to an incredible height and spread
itself out on either side of the bridge to such an
extent as to prevent crossing. At this point the
stage, for Magnolia, of Spicer & Anderson, which
leaves Bel Air at s o'clock in the morning, met
with what very nearly resulted in q seri Gus and
melancholy accident. The stage, containing
Charles w. Norris, Esq, merchant, of this place,
together with the Rev. Mr. Meminger and his
little son, and the driver, undertook to cross the
stream, and succeeded in getting on and over the
bridge, but in leaving it the accident occurred.
The immense volume of water which crossed the
road on the west side of the bridge had, during
the night, cut the road away, and formed across
it deep gully, which, from the immense body
ofwater which spread for some distance up the
road was unperceivedb by them. So soon as they
came to this gully the horses lost their footing,
and were; by the current, at once turned down
the stream, and thus brought the stage on
lock, the hind wheels of which were still on the
ground. In turning down the stream the fore
feet of the horses struck upon the bank of an old
fence, in which position they fortunately stood
quietly. AT this time, and when the stage was
momentariy expected to turn over, Mr.. Norris
jumped from the stage into the water, and called
to Mr.. Memnger to throw his little son out,
which he did, and who was caught by Mr. Nor
ris, who was still in the water, and by extra
ordinary ezertions, saved from drowning. Mr..
Meminger, after relieving himself of his overcoat,
succeeded in extricatng himself from his perilous
situation, as did afterwards the driver, who up
to this time, retained his seat and the manage
ment of his horses, if management under the
circumstances, were possible. The horses were
then cut loose, and the stage fastened to tele-
graph pole, and abandoned for the time. Great
destruction of property in fences, the flooding of
meadows, corn fields, &C., has taken place
all along the stream.
Much damage has also been done along Deer
Creek. At Wilson's Mill, the damage was very
great. The bridge over the Creek, at that
point, was taken away bodily, the embank-
ments near the mill torn terribly to pieces, and
much other loss sustained. At Stafford, the
water is said to have done considerable damage
by its overflow. One house was swept some dis
lance by the current but not entirely DESTROYED.
The bridge at this point was not injured to any
extent. All along Deer Creek we hear of damage
to fences and growing crops. The people along
the line of Swan Creek also sustained considera-
BILE injury on account of the unusual height of
the water. AT Swansbury, the bridge was taken
away, and we were Informed yesterday, that
most of the bridges below the post road are
more or less injured. On Muddy Creek, the
flood is said o have been frightfu. One of its
bridges wa carried off, with three children on
itat the time, all of whom were lost 1t appears
that they, in company with grown person, all
living near the Creek, went to the bridge for
the purpose of having better view of the water,
and the children, unobserved passed to near
middle of the BRIDGE against which the water
was then dashing, while the person who accom-
panied them was standing nearer the end, and who
observed the bridge move, barely in time to save
himself and to see the children and the bridge all
pass down the stream together. On Bynum's
Run, the dam at Mr.. Patterson's Mill suffered
along the stream, from its mouth to its source,
was torn to pieces and carried down with the
current. Broad Creek was not much behind its
fellows. The dam at what is known as the Flint
Mill, was entirely swept away, and all along the
stream, fencing and the low lands suffered con-
siderably. This is the second heavy freshet in
this stream this season. that of June last being the
heaviest ever known. In this county, the loss
ofpubic and private property is very consider
able.
We have heard the loss to the county estima-
ted at forty thousand dollars; and, taking the
total destruction of four extensive bridges be-
sides the great number which are injured, and
serious injury done to the roads in almost every
direction, into consideration, we think the
estimate low. The storm was general. Our ex
changes all agree that it was the greatest fresh
ct ever known. No part of the country from