Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1872-07-25
THE GREAT FLOOD IN ALA
RAMA.
UNPRECEDENTED High waters.

Umprecedented High Waters
Portions of North Alabama have been
visited by the most destructive food.
The Montgomery Advertiser has informa-
ton from a gentleman who has travelled
there and says
Between Bennington and Tuscaloosa
he found the bridge across Big Sandy
| Creek washed away and the Warrior riv-
er opposite the mouth of the creek more
than six miles wide. The latter stream
had then risen 62 feet at~the city of Tus-
kaloosa. and was OVERLOOKING all the farms
along its banks and bottoms, carrying dis
aster and suffering in its course. At the
crossing of the railroad bridge of the
South and North road, fifty miles above
the city, it had risen to the unprecedent-
ed height Of so feet. sweeping away the
iron bridge as though it had been a mere
cobweb. OF the seven bridges across
C~unningham's Greek in Jefferson county
five had been swept completely away in
ficting such damages to the road as to
delay its completion two months or more.
The iron bridge across the Warrior was
to have been swung at seven o'clock of
the evening on which it was destroyed.
The bridge across Turkey Greek withstood
the pressure, Notwithstanding the fact
that a gin house lodged against its tim
bers and was there torn to pieces by the
waters. Every water mill in Jefferson
county with the solitary exception of
Boyle's mill which was slightly careened,
was carried away, Mr.. Boyle's residence
was less fortunate than his mill. He had
built on the hill side facing the stream.
above high water mark, and the first in>
timation that reached him of its impend-
ing danger was conveyed by the cries of
his little son who slept in a trundle bed
in the same room with himself. 1t was
therefore in the might time that the dam
age was done. The little boy called to
his father that it was training in the
house," because as be said he 'sfelt the
WATER" Mr.. Boyle sprung from his bed to
sec what was the matter and found the
water knee deep in the floor of his dwell
ing. Without moments delay he set
about removing his family, embracing
several children and two ladies, to a place
of safety, but such was the terrible rapid
ity with which the foaming torrent gained
upon him that when he led the last lady
out the @uter come to her chin! After
the family had been safely landed the
tore through the back part of his
house and swept away all of his household
goods. Houses of all sorts and sizes along
even the most Insignificant water courses
were carried away and their debris was
on Thursday last everywhere visible on
the surface of the Warrior and Cahaba
The Cahaba, at the crossing of the
Selma and Meridian road, was at one time
more tLan two miles wide. A number
stream were destroyed and both ends of
the bridge along with them. Everywhere
hat the waters could reach, the destruc-
lion of property has been terrible. We
lave heard of no loss Of life, however.
The suffering that will necessarily re-
'ult from this terrible calamity cannot
to be very severe. 1t is estimated
hat In Tuskaloosa county alone, it has
not less than $500 people on the
Of the public. Public meetings
ire being called to consider the bes.
means of aiding the sufferers, and we
earn that the State will be asked to ex-
end them whatever assistance may he
right and necessary in view of all
he circumstance of the case. A num-
ger of families in Hale and Greene have
.lso been involved, and in Jefferson there
n nc estimating the damage that has been
lone or the suffering entailed upon her
Blount, Winston and Walker
ave also been injured. but to what pro-
able extent We have not yet been advis-
d.