Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-10-03
THE GREAT STORM.
DISASTROUS FREsHETs IN VIRGINIA.
TERRIBLE SCENES AT HARPER'S
EER0Y.
iREAT LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY.
THRILLING PARTICULARS.

lHhILLING PARIIC LIhS.
In our local columns will be found further
particulars OF the destructive freshet in the Po-
tofnac river which, on Saturday, caused such
heavy damage in this vicinity, destroying the
Long and Chain Bridges, &C., &C., as described
in Saturdays STAR.
All the lines of travel running South except-
ipg by Atlantic Coast line via Richmond, Wal
mlpgton and Augusta, are impossible, in con-
sequence of the recent heavy rains. The de-
struction of bridges and road beds has been
great, par ticnlarly on the line Of the Orange
ana AieNandria and Virginia and Tennessee
rahroads. Direct communication between
Washington and Lynehburg is entirely inter
iupted, the telegraph wires being washed away
IN several places on the Orange and Alexandra
railroad, and it will probably be some days be
fore they can be repaired. The lines are also
down between Richmond and Lynchburg, and
al, pasiness tor the latter place is sent via Au-
The account, vi hich continue to reach us from
various points in Virginia are truly distressing
of millions OF dollars is involved In the genera
wreck. Advices so far received indicate that
the damage, both TO life and properts in the
Shenandoah Valley, has been considerable.
HARPER's FERRY SUBMERGED.
Ihe lower portion of the town of Harper's
Ferry. including "Nirsinius Island" was com
pletely submerged. The loss of life, as far a
reported, was confined to the latter island
where the food slDo>t eQualled that OF 1852 in
its destruction OF proPerty, and viii probably
large Touring mill belonging to Messrs. Chiids.
McCIeigt & Co., and some twenty to thirty
dweliiDg houses, principally occupied by the
lab0i ers; For two days the rains along the banks
OF the Shenandoah river had been heavy, and
at noon on Friday the waters began to rise. For
TINE no serious apprehensions were felt as to
the safety OF the occupants, but as nightfall ap-
proeched, the current of the stream continuing
TO rise steadily and rapidly. apI,rehensions were
felt for the safety of the bridges spanning the
river: and some advised the evacuation OF the
island, which, however, unfortunately was not
needed. Some time after dark the torrent
which had increased to still more fearful ex-
tent, bearing down upon its bosom timber,
trunks OF trees and other debris, poured i'm be-
Impossible to many. The velocity Of the stream
precuded the possibility of any boat CT ossing its
course. In short space of time the food swept
over the whole island, submerging it to depth
OF several feet.
TERRIBLE sCBNEs-HoUsEs AND THEIR oCcu-
PANTS SWEPT OPP.
trestle work of the Winchester AMI Potomac
railroad, on the fats on the western side, with
stood the fury of the maddened waters; but
about midnight some 25O yards of the trestle
work gave way. The scene of the catastrophe
was no longer visible from the mainland, though
the lights in the mill and some OF the dwellings
could stin be seen. So great was the noise oc-
casloned by the hing waters that the cries OF
those whose houses, one by one, with their occu-
pants, were swept down the stream could not be
heard. The cottages, which are mostly one and
foundations and were dashed against each other
in the stream. The next morning Saturday a
terrible spectacle met the eye. Only a few OF
the most substantial houses, togeth her with the
large brick Touring mill, were LETT standing
With the houses many Of the inmates had gone
down the stream. In number of the dwellings
remaining there were seen mep, women and
children pleading for assistance, that at that
time could not be given them. After daylight
few of the houses that had stood the fury OF the
storm were seen to yield to the violence of the
Ill fhn
pants with them.
RESCUED FROM DEATH.
Later in the day boat got near enough to the
island to stretch b rope, with basket arranged
to run upon it, which was fastened to a house
containing s'Nteen inmates, and all by this con-
Before tie giving away Of the tressel work a
family of seven persons, a man, his wife and
five children, were saved by the same process
just in time to see their dwelling pass down the
stream. An old gentleman, named Wernwag,
machinist and bridge builder, seventy-six years
OF age, who resided alone in a small house upon
the island. remained in his dwelling, nOtwith
standing the rise of the water and the advice OF
his friends, until the frail structure carried
away. but climbing upon the top of the debris
he was safely hosted down the stream until
reaching Berlin, point about seven OF eight
miles distant. when he was rescued from his
perilous position by Theophilus b. Laypole.
George W. Ridenbaugh and William Ray.
HORRORS OF THE NIGHT.
The agony and terror of the fearful night
were too much for the wasted strength of an
aged lady; mother.in-law OF Mr.. Fitzpatrick,
living ON the island, and the morning found her
a corpse. The total number of the lost is yari-
ously estimated at from twenty to fifty. Several
OF those believed to have been drowned were
confusion attending SO fearful disaster the
names Of the uDfortunates were not ascertained
though 1t known that an old lady, Mrs. Car
roll, was among those who perished. Several
bridges end a portion OF the track from Harper,s
Ferry, for several miles beyond the island on
this road, are said to have been washed away
The entire destruction Of railroad property was
confined TO the Winchester and Potomac
branch. In addition to the trestle work carried
away, above mentioned, several small trestles
over the races on Nirginius Island were washed
away. 1t will probably take some weeks to re-
pair permanently the damage to the Winchester
branch railroad. The " ater rose to within few
feet Of the large iron bridge connecting Mary
land and Virginia. over the Potomac at Har-
per's Ferry. in undatiug the lower floors of the
hotel and Adams Exryess building. but causing
no serious loss Of prol erty.
FoRTY-sKvEN LIVES LOST.
Ut Is sunnosed that about forty seven persons
have been lost at Harters Ferry alone. Prob
ably thirty dwellings have been washed away
benjamin and James Bateman and their fami-
Jersey Harris, coored, wife and two daughters
are known to be drowned. All the buildings on
the south side of Shenandoah street are injured,
about nine entirely washed away. Only a few
buildings remain on the island Here was the
greatest destruction of life. The water was first
noticed to be dangerously high about O'Clock
u. H., on the JUN. Ine river tnen rose so
rapidly that in a few minutes it was wild, da sh-
ing, fearful torrent, and being night, no human
aid could render the slightest assistance.
FEARFUL SIGHT.
1t was a fearful sight as house after house
was swept away, and went dashing in the
stream. with the wild shrieks Of the occupants,
while the sudden extinguishment of the lights
told too painfully the story Of death. All that
brave men could accomplish was done to save
the unfortunate families. Mr.. King particular
y, and MT Ames deserve special mention. They
freely risked their lives to save others. The
machine shop owned by Mr.. Wernway was the
last building that fell. The trestle work and
bridges on the Winchester and Potomac rail-
road, through Harper's Ferry, are completely
swept away. The bent and broken iron rails
tell the power and force OF the flood. Even the
stole abutments OF the old Shenandoah bridge
Rave been washed away. The large Touring
mill OF Child, McCreight & Co. remains on the
island.
DAMAGE TO THE CANAL.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal has been
considerably injured between Weverton and the
Harpers Ferry lock. With all the energy with
which the company now repairs damages, some
weeks must elapse before complete navigation
can be resumed.
Other Accounts.