New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-07-23
Damages and Repairs on the jackson
RaiIroad.

reporter of the Times went out on the
line of the jackson railroad where 1t has
| lately been submerged, and writes as fol-
lows. We copy from the Times of last eve
ming:
Crossing the trembling prairie just above
Kenner is seen the first evidence OF the
overflow: upon either side of the track the
water being still quite deep in places, and
stretching far back into the country. At
Walkers swamp, twelve miles and half
from the city, the water had been quite
high over the road-bed, but owing to the
energy and efforts of Messrs. Baker and
Desman section mem, the track for the
space of two miles was firmly braced by
driving stakes by the side of the rails, and
thus saved from being washed of, as other
wise it certainly would have been.
In this swamp, on high ground, there had
been buried man, Just before the overflow,
and in the rush of waters his last home was
invaded by the destroying element, which
had thrown his coffin upon the earth again,
where it now lays in full sight of the trav-
eler.
Commencing at the eighteen mile post,
the destruction of the road began. Here
one hundred and fifty feet of the bed was
! washed away bodily and carried out into
| the swamp. distance of over two hundred
| feet. where it now lays, confused and
hlpd
| another break occurred, which reached
| from the twentieth to the twenty-secOnd
| mile most. the track, stringers, and, in fact,
| every Dart of the road being washed up,
| the materials scattered in every direction
and Knocked out of all shape. 1t was at
this point that the damage was the most
severe. and the task Of repairing the
greatest; but yesterday the work on the
| whole line of the destroyed part OF the road
| aDOnt
bred wards of the locality above referred to.
From the rapidity with which this was
being pushed forward, the last spike was
undoubtedly driven last night, and the con-
ductors of construction trains will to-day
| run through to the city. When 1t Is con-
sidered that but thirteen days have elapsed
| since the work was commenced, ana tnat
the men have had to stand up in water
sometimes waist deep, an idea may be got
of the remarkable progress which has been
made Roadmaster Conway has exhibited
almost superhuman energy i'll his labors,
and the speedy result must be peculiarly
gratifying to him.
The line of the "break extended lor
thirteen miles, the whole distance beng
covered by water to the depth of three feet,
and the current rushing from the r1ver to
the lake at the rate of perhaps eight miles
an hour soon effected the fearful result.
From the twenty second to the thirtleth
mile. at frequent intervals the rails and the
ties were carried away, and all the bridges
save one, totally destroyed.
Two weeks ago it was generally supposed
that the road would not be in running order
for six months-and indeed the then APP
pearance of things indicated as much, the
water being quite high-but it was then
that the flood commenced to subside, and
two DAYS ago the crevasse bid an adleu 10
the scenes of its former ravages, the water
drying off the plantations: and showing IL
self only in the swamps and lowlands
The number of men employed IN repairs
was less than two hundred, and amid many
disadvantages they worked like heroes, al
though the extreme heat and swamp water
in which they were forced to work caused
some sickness, though luckily nothing serl
GUS. An investigation into the condition OF
things. as above recorded, was accomplished
at no small risk of personal comfort and
equilibrium; in fact, the peripatetlc journey
along the swampy portion OF the ROAD De
, ing finished yesterday, was fruitful Will
dire results.
For nearly four months the water ha:
stood upon what were once glad places,
: and now having gone, has left IN its steaC
: dismantled dwellings, miles upon miles o
broken fences, and lands despoiled OF wha
were large and thriving crops. more
desolate appearance than is presented BY
2 these blighted plantations is difficult t.
g conceive The water mark upon the tree
and fences will long remain sad reminder
of the remorseless enemy which has laid 81
} many homes waste, and made sad so man.
| hearts.