The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-08-27
A Fearful Flood in Goshen and Bran
dom Boy Drowned in BraudOnA
Great Damage to Property.

I One of the most disastrous foods that
ever visited this vicinity accompanied
with heavy damage and loss of occurred
this morning, the Dist Of August. The
cause Of the Immense amount of water we
are unable to explain. AS one man in
Goshen said, it did not seem to rain, but
all at once, without warning, the clouds
broke and immense volumes of water fell
at once, and this body starting near the
church, in Goshen, rolled on in irresistible
fury, carrying everything before it
bridges, dams, trees and immense rocks,
estimated to weigh 10000 pounds, were
hurled along and carried miles down
steam, spreading destruction and ruin in
its course. Houses and barns were wash
ed away, aud so quick that the inmates
fed for their lives and one poor boy was
ovcrtaken in the food and before help
could be got was drowned The greatest
destruction and ruin, was in Goshen and
Forestdac.
An eye witness says that the entire
property of Goshen along the road will
not pay for the damage done. This of
course was an exaggerated statement, but
shows how great must have been the
damage. Not bridge is left on the
streams and the road is quilted fearfully.
have just visited Forestdale and the dam
age is great how great cannot say. 1t
overfiowed the banks on both sides end
ran through the street leading past the
grist mill, one hundred feet in width. I'm
mense rocks and piles of stones now lay
where, before the food came, were fruit
full gardens, pleasant yards, highways and
buildings. The whole length of the long
street and the gardens are utterly ruined,
and the houses look as though they were
built on top Of the rocks of river bed.
The street is as completely obliterated,
with heaps of rocks, stones, sand, drift
wood and all the accomplishments of a
great flood. Geo. Child says he heard
the roar of rocks and water, and his
mother requested him to look and see if
the water was running into the cellar.
He went down and found it was, and
Immediately went back up stairs and
found it was running so fast that it be-
gan to pour into the dining room. The
undcrpnn;ng was soon washed away, and
a portion of the house fell. The under.
pinning of Col. John Capen's house was
washed out and the cellar filled full oil
sand. Mr.. Newton's barn was carried
from its foundation and turned around
!. and but for the heavy stones which filled
!
The barn of Fred Strong was nearly tori
to pieces and his slaughter house carried
off. The barn of Frank Wheeler wa
turned around and damaged so as to b.
almost worthless. But the greatest lps
was to Mr. NJ. +. Allen, both in pecdu
larry point of view and still more in d,
loss of his sou, a bright young lad 3
about | years of age. The house Of MI
Allen was struck, and the i part ant
she'd carried off and completely ruined
and the garden obliterated entirely, thu
river running where his garden was.
A The particulars, as related by Mr.
Allen OF the loss of his boy, Scott Allen
g were as follows; lie arrived home iron
. Rutland on the special train which hs,
been to the Grant aud Wilson ratfcato
a meeting at 20 minutes to 2 o'clock. Hi
wife, not in good health, heard the roa
of the river and was uneasy about il, blu
,e he said that so little rain had fallen tina
p no danger could come OF it, and he motto
= ed the stream was not up to its bank
d when he came in, but soon he heard tn
roar coming on and the crashing Of tn
to rocks, and he got up aud looked out an
d saw the water was nearly up to his hous,
5, So he told his wife she had better get W
n not that he then feared any danger, bu
Is preferred to be prepared. She did 81
and he observed the stream was rapid
rising and roaring louder than ever. III
ran at once to the bed OF his little CIR
about six years of age, aud throwing
quilt around her, carried her TO hig
ground to house close by, and Gale
Tor assistance At this time the waite
was about foot deep, and when he e
back it was at least two feet deep. Wit
the assistance of Mr.. Wing, he then g
his wife out, by means of the shed,
where it was safe, and get his boy on
the shed. While away with his wife,th
boy said Papa, the shed is going" an
before they got back, the shed fell, an
tho boy with it. Mr.. Wing was carrie
down with the shed. Mr., Allen "a
roand where the boy was, and heard hi
scream aud cry, Papa, come aud get n
don't let me drown" lie ran to hin
aud the water was then about three fe
deep, lie grabbed hold of the boy, at
supposed he could carry him Oh, but Il