Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-04-29
The Freshet and its COnsequcn.
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The heavy rain of Tuesday night
started the snow on the mountains t,
melting rapidly, and our swollen stream
have overfown their banks, and extended
their waters over thousands of acres o
what is usually dry land, and the impet
uous and irresistible torrents of wate
that has rushed down our mountain sides
has, in many places, done great damage
to our railroads, and rendered our publ,
highways impossible.
The Rutland Railroad, north from thi
place, is rendered impossible, but it il
impossible, at the present time, to tell tn,
amount of injury done fol-. the reason tina
the damaged portions of the road bed, i
submerged in the flood. !Between her,
and Sutherland Falls, near the doubl,
road crossing, the track for mile is en-
tifely covered by the waters; some of i
being displaced and washed away in thu
current We visited this place yesterday
morning, and were surprised at the broaC
expanse of water spread out before US
The whole valley for miles was inundated
obliterating every trace of highways
railroad or fences, and presenting the ap
pearance of broad lake, oalm.and tran
quill. except where the current of tn,
stream rushes through. In addition
to the damage at she double road
crossing" we observed that some o.
the houses along the route, were some Of
them rendered untenantable by reason OF
the water rushing into their yards and
cellars, and in one case we observed il
even running in at the doorway The
long covered highway bridge near the
marble quarries of Clement aHd OF
Barnes appeared TO rest upon the waters,
and the east abutment seemed to be fast
giving way. The school-house near by
is also in the water
The night train from Burlington ON
Tuesday night came down safely 10 this
point, but before it was ascertained that
the road was impossible and the train
could run back, the rising waters washed
away portion of the track to the north
OF them, and the train was forced to re-
main between the two. Upon informa-
tion # tho unpleasant position of the pas
sengers being communicated TO Col. Mer-
rill, superintendent of the road, he caused
teams to be sent up to bring them TO Rut-
land and he also procured teams to carry
passengers at this place around the break
TO the trains upon the other side. Much
credit is due Col. Merrill and his subordi-
mates for the indefatigable exertions to
render the situation of the travellers upon
their road comfortable, and to forward
them on their way in this unpleasant
We witnessed the arrival Of part of
the passengers and baggage Of this block
AIDED train at the depot yesterday morn
ing The trunks, boxes and bags of the
passengers were packed in a large wagon.
aud upon top Of them were seated a haIs
dozen, more or less, of we'll dressed pas
sengers, while upon the highest point Of
the load was perched Conductor Park
hurst, smilingly contemplating his
charge as though he had collected fare
without finding a single deadhead, and
without having seen torn greenback or
script This load was drawn
by four horses, and hung conSpicuously.
behind We're two red signal lanterns, to
prevent accidents by following teams.
We are informed that the railroad was
,lso submerged along the low grounds be-
.ween Brandon and Whiting, but we do
lot think the damage at that point is
yery serious.
At Center Rutland the highway
oridges appear to be in precarious situa-
ion. The bridge across Otter Creek, near
Riplsy's mill rested tremblingly on it,
with the water splashing
against its sides If one of the smaller
ridges above should be carried away, or
loating timbers should come rushing
lown the current, it would undoubtedly
% swept away, in which case nothing
hort of miracle could save the large
abroad bridge of the Rensselaer, 4 Sara
oga road from destruction
From conversation with different indi-
.iduals who have resided near the creek
or number of years, and had good OPP
'ortunity of Judging as to its height, they
ay that it is at least eight or ten inches |
igher than ever before,--in their remem-
rance. Acres of land just below the
alls at Center Rutland are completely |
while the water has so risen
lst east of the village as to reach Forrest |
treet, very great rise from what we re-
orted yesterday.
In the afternoon we went over the Rut-
md railroad to the east towards Bellows
'alls. At East Wallingford we found |
I'LL River raging torrent. The new
ighway bridge just below the village
'as swept away, and the highway be-
ween there and Cuttingsville was badly
amaged, and for quite distance the en-
re road was washed out. The damage
, the town of Wallingford at this point
about 81 900.
AT Bowlville, the water was dashing
gainst the railroad bridge yesterday
lorning; but when we came over it late
| the afternoon, the water had subsidized
,mewhat.
Above Mt. Holly station about mile,
,e land on each side of the river is in
ndated.
Near Ludlow, little north of the vii
ge, the road is covered with water for,
e judge, from one-third to one-half mile,
10 GOV, hoorI af fho fanoo. ha,oc.