The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-10-03
MAYO'S BRIDGE SWEPT AWAY
B0afing Oh The Streets.
Subsiding Of the Water.


Since our last issue the great flood has
been the prevailing topic of thought and
conversation. Indeed, it has been brought
to our very doors, and left such an impress
sion upon our city that few who have wit
messed the vast cXpanSe of water, and known
anything of the ruin it has wrought, will
soon forget the fresh Of 1SI0--the greatest
OF 4 century. Fortunately, not single life
has been lost, but not less than hundred
families have been expelled from their
homes by the angry waters and not only
have our business interests suffered mate
rally from the suspension of trade conse-
quent upon the excitement, but the actual
pecuniary loss sustained by this community
cannot be estimated at less than million
dollars. We speak only Of Richmond; Of
what the country above us has suffered we
fear to hazard an opinion. Time will bring
the figures out with frightfll bodness.
THE RISING OF THE WATERS.
Commencing to roll down upon lis at
about noon on Friday, at midnight the wa
ters had attained a height unusual even for
a freshet. All through the night it contin-
ued to rise in the harbor, at the rate Of not
less than foot and half an hour, and those
who went to bed tlattering themselves that
in the morning all would be right, were
doomed 10 Il sad disappointment. When
morning came. bright and cloudless though
it was, the river was swollen to dimensions
calculated to ill with dismay the hearts of
all who dwelt or did business in low lands.
The islands i'll the river were overrln with
a rapid current; the vessels in the dock had
risen to the level Of the wharyes the
bridges over the James were trembling be-
meath the blows of the dritt-wood and the
beating of the waves against their tough
timber>: and the report was that the water
was slowly finding It's way into the streets
in the lower part OF the city. There was a
little lake on Cary street, and the people OF
Rockets found the river literally ut their
doors. Still there were those who said the
fresh had reached its highest, and that Rich
mond was not in danger. Nobody fully
realized the situation.
THE WATER IN THE STREETS.
Fortunately, however, some had needed
the kindly meant WarnlngS~recclEed from
the sufferers on the upper James, and made
preparations Tor the flood. A good deal OF
the tobacco had been gotten out of Mayors
warehouse during the night, but there were
still hundreds of hogsheads there, and some
consienees did not seem at all alarmed. A
tons, one or two foundrymen had cleared
their floors, and many people in Rockets
were ready to move. AS reports were re.
ceiycd of 1" still rising" or ono fall,
many more began to get ready Tor an
overflow. and 1T about 10 O'Clock the
whole OF the lower part Of the city was in Il
state Of excitement. The water had now
risen nearly upto the caves OF the steamboat
sheds at Rockets, and Gillie's creek had
oyerflown its banks. Up town also,
matters looked serious. From Cary
street the water passed over to Main,
filing Seventeenth street as it came
along, and almost without Il moments
warning the butchers and lucksters ut the
cid Market found their feet getting wet.
" hen the reporters went to The Pobce
Court i'm the upper part Of the market
house ut haf-pasL O'Clock they walked
there dry shod. When they came out at
half-past 10 the water was almost knee,
deep on the pavement. The mercnants anu
the way of the flood, but although they
worked manfully, and were assisted, they
were only partially successful. PROMINENT
among those who were engaged In this
work was Justice William Brown, man
as kind-hearted as ever scaled nSh or
opened an oyster. BarefOoted and with his
breaches and red flannel drawers rolled up
to his knees, he gave his constituents most
conclusive evidence that he was not AFRAID
of work, and could work for others as nara
as he could for himself.
Driven from their stalls ut the market
house. the butchers made a very orderly
retreat to higher ground, and soon the
scene of their operations was transferred
from 18th street to 18th, and both sides OF
Main. between 18th and 18th, while the
vendors of vegetables sandWlched Them
selves between butchers wherever they
found AN opening. 1t was rather curious
to see sweet potatoes and caDDages DIS
-nlayed before an llndcrtakers door, anu
roasts, soup-pieces, and steaks adorhihg
the outer walls Of 4 dry goods house.
Meantime the water was still rising on
Main street. and ladies travelling from one
hill 70 the other were under the NECESSITY
Of standing I'D on the benches to keephona
getting wet. At i2 o'clock the esss eatllss
no LONGER 90 across, the water betfg aBp
enough to swim horse. The caESs lisEs
side of the stream, however, contslEssA tss
r,,n TO the waters edge during hs Was3te
,day with punctuality and resularffy8E has
reflected credit upon the management OF
the superintendent.
AT THE BRIDGES.
Mayo's bridge was the cnie1 poIhl OF III
taresf however, during the fore part OF
SATURDAY.. for it was expected that it would
he soon washed away. A large cr9Wd
waited on the river bank for hours, In the
s orch sun, waiting to see the eatastro-
5phe, and, il Che truth must be told, mani
fssted no little Impotence and disappolnt-
ment ush IS human I tha aie paa % one
time tnIe'i il seemed impossible that il. could
stand an -four, The river was filled with
s griftin a. stuff. There came along logs, mill
simber, haS-stacks, trunks, hsEss bQxes,
. nieees Of fencing, chairs,
gates gates wagon-bodies, hara Ems
and watermelons, aggicrltll9
b , of trees, and two ilole
roofs Of houses. On one of the poor
haldrowned rat was ssam ns nes.
wildly maea e most s Of hs Debris following
the ts sraek OF The swiftest part Of the cur
,.a,,t ,,ras carried right under the bridge,