The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-10-10
The Old Men on the Rampage. )

DESTROYS Of drawing out our dear old
friends on the interesting theme OF old
foods and their destructive doings, we have
thrown out hints and suggestions that have
not been unavailing. The octogenarians
have besieged us. We have been like the
English at Balaklava, with old men ON every
hand. They overtopped us, and even un-
dermined us with unfathomable waters.
Unlike the English at Balaklava, we have
been delighted with the venerable war, and
edited by the eloquent details We have
elected.
Freshes are grand events in the land.
There is nothing scarcely relating to the
past that eXcites more inquiry and deeper
interest. Yet, in this State there is hardly
anything accurate with regard to them.
The traditions naturally differ, being
affected by the temper Of those who origin.
ated them. And there is no standard guide
showing the facts about the height OF the
waters at different periods. Even the great
fresh Of III, which led to legislative action,
is not marked here, and the traditions with
regard to it arc unsatisfactory and often
contradictory. However, from the best
comparative information that can be OBJ
tanned, we incline to think that possibly
that food was higher than the recent rise.
But we think it has been exaggerated.
There is no subject about which men ere
more prone to eXtravsgances. Floods are
exciting things. They are 30 mighty, SO
destructive. They fill men with wonder.
The power Of water is thing we never
get used to, and never cease to admire.
Now, then, our old men, those belong
ing to a day anterior to that we acknow.
ledge-haye literally offered their reminis.
cences. We noticed Wednesday the oracles
of the e.of Petersburg. We have yer.
bally and written the views of others. We
have heard of the memorial stone Of the
food OF III at Turkey Island. The yene
rabls JOSEPH j. PLEAsANTs, civil engineer
of this city, knows where 1t is, and agrees
10 show it to us; and Mr.. LEAR (classit
naEse), who resides upon the farm, has re-
Gently seen 1t. Now comes an old frienC
who has had great deal to do with jaime.
river, and theoretically vindicates The
achievements OF that river during his adj
.nipirtrasion. We copy his letter:
Editors Of the Dispatch: I have known
all the frsshets in James river from 1872 to
the present day. For the twenty-five years
nom 1875 TO 1e4s, inclusive, that had the
overwhelmingly Of the canal, I marked at
different points along the river and canal
tho heights of all the freshets that occurred
in those years. So that Ieould accurately
tell their relative heights. The one in 1913
II mistake not. the year, was the hghes
that occurred during that period, and the
highest that had taken place for many years
before. At Dover mill, in GoochlanG
county. Mr. Watkipa, the father of the latt
Col. Joseph 6. Watkins, had marked ON one
a. Of the girder posts in the basement of The
> mill house the height Of all frashets fron
the erection of the mill to his death, an(
NJ Col. Watkins bad done the same during hi
ownership Of the property, which ceased
about 1882. suppose the marks EXTENDED
back for period Of more than fifty year
before 1882, and the fresh of 1913 OYertopet
them al nine inches. marked on the sans
post Che rises In the river from 1882 to 1919
Tile Iniai.house was burnt down few year,
ago, no that the marks were all lost.
Main street has NOT been raised at the st
sThts article was prepared for Fridays pa
gef. bus was crowded out by the food OF news