The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1869-10-19
For tho Register
Chester, October 18th. 1869.

NhCotCi, OCtODtI lZtu lODJ.
Imprisoned and fearful imprison.
ment it has been to some. The deluge
of last week has left tracks of terrible de-
vastation in this vicinity, cutting off COM
munication between peighboring villages,
and separating by an impossible barrier,
friends, and often members of the same
household. The being, whether angel Il
doubt whether any have headquarters
here) or man, that remained from homes
hearth-stone over Sunday night of Octo-
Der Sd, and had crossed depression in
the earth's crust, deep enough for river
to flow in, if he could not transform him
self into a sea-fowl, or make use of wings
already found must have been content
away, just about where he discovered
himself as he woke Monday morning.
The rain commenced early Sabbath morn
ing, and poured almost necessarily till four
o'clock Monday afternoon. The food
gates OF heaven were opened, and the
waters made good time in their exit. To
all observers it was apparent early on the
morning of the fourth, that the great
quantity of water fallen would soon
make itself known. The river, which Or
dinarily can hardly be dignifed with that
name, but it earned for while, at least,
the title, was seen to be rapidly rising.
Not long did we wait and watch, ere It
overAowed its banks and became decided
ly more neighborly. Those that owned
garden plots on or near the bank, were
seen "hurrying to and fro in hot haste
gathering pumpkins, squashes, tomatoes,
&c, from the reach of the watery element.
But alas some misjudged the boldness
of Williams river. 1t followed the direc-
ton of the garden sass" and even took
1t In some instances from sheds, barns.
and cellars, downward toward the Con.
necticut. A poor woman in this place,
left boiler Of clothes in her shed, while
she went another direction to view the
flood, and presently it was seen passing
away on the tide. 1t reminded me Of
the poem "No sect in Heaven" where
the gowns went floating away on the
stream, though | believe the boiler was
safe at home, or at least this may be in
terred, as nothing to the contrary is af.
trmed. AT eleven, portion of our street
the water had usurped, and was rushing
through at sweeping rate. There was
no travelling except on the sidewalk, and
then through water knee-deep. | trans
formed myself into horse, and placing
myself between the thlls of wagon,
drew the precious load of school marin
to the place of her abode. She needed
no reins, as the animal was trained by n
college education to pony, and much ex-
perience has made a woman's haw and gee
familiar sound. But, | am DEPRESSING.
The damned water continued through our
streets till the barrier broke away, and
then it quickly subsidized, and the inmates
OF several houses came forth from their
prisons. The dam having given away,
the water rushed at a fearful rate, and
everything in its course was swept before
1t. Great trees were torn from their
places, most of the bridges stayed not for
the second shock, fences, wood and tim.
Der piles, cornfelds were borne away, en-
masse. The town suffered heavy loss, but
small in comparison with others neighbor-
ing. l have visited Bartonsville, the sta.
ton next below it is a sad sight. Thirty
feet below where the depot and six dwell.
ling houses stood ten days ago, the river
now has its bed. The soil is sand and
the stream has its bank on one side fully
one hundred feet high, opposite the upper
portion of the village, and the distance
between banks is at least four hundred
feet, where before it was twenty. The
former water privileges are DESTROYED by
the stream changing its channel. Ruin
stares the little place full in the face
The b. & r. X. R., have met with a
great loss here, as well as at many other
places. Besides the depot and all the
buildings necessary to railroad station.
mile OF track is either entirely carried
of or rendered useless A more inland
route has been chosen, and large num-
Der of workmen will soon be at work
Fortunately no lives have been lost here
or in immediate vicinity. but we hear of
several belngdrowned in other proximate
towns.
Again on last Sunday evening people
shuddered as they heard the rain again
descend IN torrents, nor were our fears
untounded. The town was awake and
alive (how rarely so J through the night,
ana with the many lanterns saw house
and barn bid farewell to home and
friends. Another house was tipped into
the water, and this made an obstruction
which h saved much other property.
Two lessons should be learned from this
disaster, namely these First, to build on
sand is dangerous. If man will not learn
this from the Bible and common sense.
God will teach him by sad experience.
secondly these mountain streams are to
feared and fettered. Though ordinarily
small, they rise and fall with great rapid. !
lty. In twenty-four hours the brook NAV
become river Fortiications are need. |
ed to hold the water in its proper chan |
mel, and to protect the low land along the
banks. When few moro millions are
destroyed, the people in these exposed
places may begin to realize their situa.
ion. IT'S shameful, such lifelessness.
An earthquake would make the people
lere liteless before lively. They would
De waiting for another all the time. Nav
he spiritual lives become more active
Unless they are, the angel Gabriel will
'low several times ere he get Chester
'eople into their places.