Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-10-20
Miseellanepms.
THE BREAK IN OVER DAN.
By b. P. sHILABER (MR,. pARTINeToN. }
CONCLUDED FROM YEsTERDAY.1

1heV had learned that the entire dam
was broken, and the whole body of water,
swollen to IA flood in Over Pond, was COM
ing down the little stream in one concen-
trated mass, against which resistance was
futile. To their excited minds the waters
were moving in one immense wall, con-
fined to the banks of the river, but great
ly above them, and speculation ran high
as to how it would strike the bridge, and
how the factory nearest would be whirled
to ruin before it. The factory people, as
mad as the rest, caused vast breeches to be
made in the lower portion OF the factory,
where there were no windows, to admit of
the passage of the flood, snoring up such
places as were exposed, and occupants of
buildings equally endangered did the same.
In the mean time, it was seen that the
stream was rising rapidly. An inch. it
was proclaimed, had risen in very few
minutes and now every eve was bent on
the piers of the bridge to mark the rise of
the water. Inch by inch it rose, until by
noon 1t was within a few inches of the
flooring OF the bridge. The fabric creaked
beneath the pressure, and the roar Of the
water, as it rushed through the arches,
was fearful to listen to. At last, some
over-timid person, whose discretion was
as faint as his courage, cried OUT
'.Cut away the bridge 7"
The greatest confusion prevailed at this.
People rushed for axes, though what good
the cutting the bridge away would do was
not apparent, and came back to obey the
order. The selectmen were paralyzed,
and the first blow had been struck that
was to plunge the bridge into the food,
when young George Tonsell, who had left
the crowd to run down and note the pro-
gress OF the tide, came back, and with
shout SO loud and joyous, that it thrilled
them like a trumpet,
''Hold on The tide is falling!"
Then reaction came. Rushing down
bene ath the bridge they found it was act
ually falling, but slightly, and their hearts
were for moment relieved. The ice had
now all gone, and far up the river it was
one open sea of water. None dared ven-
ture yet upon the bridge. Weakened by
the strain it had been subjected to, it was
swaying and bending with the fierce tide
and all were expecting to see it break to
pieces, and float away before their eyes.
The wreck of fences and small buildings,
and many wood pile from the flats
above, had come down, and been swept
over the dam; and now in the far distance
appeared what seemed part OF the roof
of a small house, surrounded by a multi
was bundle of straw, that was sustained
by some portion of the wreck, whereon,
as it approached, was discerned something
that made every heart stand still-a living
being AT the distance it was hardly dis
tinguishable; but its nearer approach re-
vealed the fact that 1t was q small child,
whirled about by the surging of the
waters, among the ruins of the house
that had sheltered it. 1t was seen in an
instant that destruction awaited the little
voyager, ii its fral ark should strike the
bridge, beneath which it would be re-
morsely sucked, and plum ged in the vortex
beyond.
Nearing the bridge, it was discovered
that the waif on the water was little
girl, who, upon seeing the people, gave a
fearful cry, holding out her arms beseech-
ingly. Would no one save her? The
bridge trembled and groaned like one in
pain. and none seemed willing to take the
risk. A moment more. and that little life
would be blotted out; when the same gall
liant boy, whose voice had before allayed
the panic, darted from the crowd, and
sprang upon the bridge in spite OF the
warnings that met his ear. He gained
the point where the ark would strike, and
throwing himself over the rail, he stood
upon the ends OF the shivering planks,
awaiting its approach, holding firmly by
the rail- that was writhing like serpent,
as the bridge yielded to the pressure of
the waters. With a quick eye and firm
nerve, he reached forward at the moment
the wreck came near him, and seized the
doomed child as the trail raft that bore her
turned upon its edge, and was drawn
down through the submerged arch OF the
bridge, appearing in fragments on the
other side, rushing to the fall beyond.
| Then the shout of .'Saved r arose from
the shore, and the brave boy, holding in
his arms the waif be had rescued, took his
way back over the reeling planks, the lit
tie one resting her head quietly and con-
fidingly on his shoulder, and placed herr in
the care of those ready 10 receive her.
She was child some four years old,
and was recognized as the granddaughter
of Goody Liscom, who lived in small hut
| by the riverside. near the dam. Much
| CONTINUED on FOURTH PAGE.