The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-03
DEVASTATION AT STAUNTON
HORRIBLE SCENES AT HARpER'S FERRY
Shenandoah City q Mass of
Ruins.
Terrible Slffel.inS.s of the
Survivors,.
THE FLOOD IN THE JAMES.
Tho Richmond Inundation-A Schooner AM
chored in tho Middle OF the City-Entire
Families Perish in tho Watcrs-Tragic Death
Of Young Lady.

ch0red in tho Middle OF the City-Entire
Families Perish in tho Watcrs--Tragic Death
Of Young Lady.
RICHMOND, Oct. Q, 1870.
At midnight last night the river still rising
and nvadng still further the lower part OF the city
Hundreds OF persons were busy carrying OF the fur
niture from the houses about 70 be swept away. In
front OF the St. Charles HOTEL about the centre OF the
city, Is anchored u schooner. Her crew pun or In
the boats as regularly as if at sea.
Last night the Western Union Telegraph Office was
crowded with anxious people trying 10 ascertain the
whereabouts OF their friends who left in the late
trains and FOR whose fate the announcement that
thea river ut LynchDurg was rising again created
much concern.
In the lower part or the city the only object OF at
tention was single gas lamp that stu burned
though within few inches of being submerged.
The Richmond and Petersburg Railroad has put
on their road four trainsthe usual number OF cars
so as to accommodate the Southern travel
. The food on the Rvanna river Is the highest since
1907 The families OF Mr.. Jennings and Mr.. Miller,
whose homes were near the river, were washed
away, IN all, i've persons. Mr.. Jennings is supposed
TO have been drowned. His wife and two children
are known to have persisted. young lady Of the
family chung TO tree forty-eght hours, but was
washed away and drowned. Her death was wit
messed by crowd on the other bank OF the river,
but there was no boat near by which she might have
becd rescued.
On the Manassas Railroad the bridges across the
North and South Shenandoah rivers are gone
No information has been received from beyond
StrasDurg. Many lives are known TO have been
lost. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, above Har-
per's Ferry, has been swept away. Scottsyllie, IN
Albemarle county, has been inundated, and the
destruction OF property very great. Eighteen lives
were lost. Trains are running regularly between
Alexandria end Richmond
The Storm Still Raging mt RichmOnd-yVide-
spread Desolation at Nocixetts-ncsic Island
Observation-Disclosures Negro Superstition
Ravagcs OF the Flood at Charlottesville.
RICHMOND Oct % M.
visit this evening to Rockets the submerged
portion of the city disclosed a scene OF
widespread desolatlon rarely witnessed. The
ments above ana below seeming TO have de-
clarcd war np0n the houseless denizens OF
this unfortunate locality. The water had fallen
fully five feet, exposing TO the view the tops or
stranded shed roofs, one or which lodged across
street; disnantled houses, many OF them up
turned. others IN all sorts OF postures Those still
standing, With the water up TO the second stories
and in places piles Of driftwood ana debris, made a
pitIab.e and Affecting sight. The place seemed en-
trely deserted. and you looked in vain across The
broad expanse of water Tor u sign OF living hu.
mainly. The people seemed to have deserted Their
miserable and -cUnditioncd houses for places less
dangerous and more comfortable. or all the wharf
sheds those OF the Old Dominion line alone were
strong enough to withstand the almost irresistible
current. One schooner, which had been torn from
her moorngs, carried the entire wharf with her, and
both drtcd over a mile down the river where they
stranded on point.
Tonight the city is enveioped in almost impcne-
trablc darkness, the ram continuing to pour with
great fury, ana miniature rivulets rush down the
streets, lending their aid TO swell the vast body OF
water in The swollen river, winch fuaias and main
tans On ornncus roar
Many extraordinary scenes occurred during the
excitement and danger accustomed by The freshet
Belle Island, noted as the prison Of many OF the
Onion defenders during the war; is much altered IN
appearance by the hood. The railroad and foot
bridge connecting 1t with the mainland was de-
stroycd soon after the Manchester bridge was swept
away large number OF houses were
overturned, many of the inmates escaping
death by almost hairsbreadth. The foundry
OF the Old Dominion Company was seriously
damaged, but the residents of the famous isle did
all they possibly could to save property. frequently
displaying heroism that was applaudcd from the
river banks. For long time communication with
the islanders cut or but at length gentleman,
by a herculean effort, succeeded IN throwing q
bottle containing a note to them. This contained
information which relieved their apprehcnsions OF
the worst from their dangerous proximity to the
raging nood In turn they communicated with the
mainland by the same means, and this morning u
rope was noaed to them and securely fastened at
both ends. sling was then constructed OF rope,
which, with a block and tackle, was pulled from
Manchester to the island and on this passengers,
food, light ana other neccssarlcs were transported
10 the suffering islanders.
Further below three men, who had been
assisting in the erection OF barriers on Mayo's
Island, were caught by the sweeping hood,
which gradually rose until the island was sub
merged, the flood increasing higher and higher
until they compelled to take refuge on the roof
OF sawml. Here they renamed perched the en-.
tire day, with the water above the east end or the
MILL objects of anxious solcitude to the vast
throng or spectators on both banks OF the river.
Every moment that passed the people expected 10
see the devoted roof Of the MILL with its three nood
bound victims. swept away; but night closed in and
still they chung to life and hope, though nobody ex-
pected TO see them next morning. Contrary TO all
expectations. however the mil, with Its three sur
fcrers, survived through the black darkness OF the
night and the terrific food, and this morning they
were rescued in an almost famished condition.
On the Chesterfield side OF the river several tene-
ments were ruthlcssly swept or with their entire
furniture, the inmates barely escaping with their
lives. In one instance well-to-do negro, named
Landrum Nelson, had just erected handsome resi-
dencc and furnished it in style magnificent for one
OF his race. The food, however, robbed hmm OF his
hard-earned comfort, and IL roated OF he ex-
claimed in a tone OF intense grief and resignation,
"Well, dar, OATS done gone but de Lors Will be
done; oil Mas'r knows what's The besestn
Tic gegei long aud wistlully after the