The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-12-23
Written for The Spirit of Democracy
From washington County,
N,R1rrr. ONO. Dec Is. 1877:

MARIETTA, ONO, Dec Is, 1873.
DEAR SPIRIT: am not accustomed.
like many of your correspondents, to
write long letters, giving glowing descrip-
tions OF things imaginary and rare, but
when anything occurs down here of an
exciting nature, feel like wiring it up
for the benefit of those whom it may con-
Germ, custom to the contrary notwith-
standing.
Marietta, from her peculiar location,
has long enjoyed the distinction Of pas
sing through many and disastrous foods
As now write it seems as il the waters
Of the great deep had broken loose and
the contents were being DISCHARGED
through the Ohio and Muskingum Riv-
ers In the year 1882 the great food
took place, and neither before nor since
has it been equaled in height of water, or
damage done along the Ohio valley. O!d
settlers here, who passed through that in
undaion, tell wonderful stories of the
sights to be seen. Straw stacks, hay
ricks. hog pens, and even deserted dwell
ling houses were continually passing
aye, during one stormy day small frame
house, with its family of five persons
clineing to the roof, was observed pas
sing down. What was the fate of that
family was never learned They scream
ed made signals of distress, but vast
trees, logs, brush, a river running and
foaming like race horse, made rescue
impossible, and all that could be done
was to watch from either shore and see
those five persons pass down, down into
eternity. ~
! Every flood, and the present one is no
exception, has its gay, as we'll as its seri.
o;;s oo;;s ide. Every man and boy in the city
W. on muster upa skiff, fiat boat. raft
or heavy plank, starts olt for ride
Friends are invited, calls arc made and
returned, and, barring the gondolas, one
could ina CINE himself in Feuite plying
amongst her seventy-two islands. Boys
let loose from school are wild with de.
light Rigging up anything in the shape
of water craft, they ply from point to
point, blowing imaginary whistles. order
ing around their crew of deck hands land
making the surrounding waters hideous
with their cries. Your average schoo!
boy would like to have high water come
once week. All these scenes can be OBJ
served throughout the city where the
backwater extends outside is the murky,
sullen river sweeping fiercely and grand
ly on, carving on its bosom vast trees,
branches and roots far above the waters,
fences standing erect just as they were
placed by the farmers, shocks of corn,
the result Of hard summers labor-on,
on they 60, seeming to say in the Ian
guase Of the poet:
"Men may come and men may go,
But go on forever"
A food is a grand, but terrible sight
and could your readers be perched upon
some of those lofty Monroe hills and look
down upon US at this moment, they would
readily admit that nothing their eyes evel
beheld equaled this mighty rush of wa
ters.
My own curiosity being reused to the
highest pitch by the novelty and gran
deur of the scenes, 1 accepted the inyi
tation of friend to 60 out and see the
sights We launched our gondola (skiff)
about the middle af the forenoon fully
determined to satisfy our curiosity ere
we returned. We shaped our course
along the principal streets, passing de
serted dwelling houses by the score, and
wondering what had become Of the in
mates. Finally, after cruising about fol
some time in the city, we concluded to
visit the low lands situated about the cen.
ter of the town, through which the Mari
eta, Pittsburgh and Cleveland Railway
passes. A magnificent sight greeted oul
vision "a vast sheet of water, forming 6
beautiful lake many miles wide. lay be
fore and around us, the railroad which
consists Of long treste was hidden from
our view, and hundreds of our citizens
men, women and children, might have
been seen passing and repassing in theil
respective boats, exchanging courtesies
and enjoying the exciting scenes whict
only flood like this could create. After
some time spent in admiration,we slowly
returned to our respective homes, and a!
| stepped from the skiff at our own door
1 felt fully repaid for my trouble. hat
seen a food with all its excitement
amusement and magnicence.
Your correspondent "X" speaks 0
hunting in late letter. Hunting indeed
Mr. ''X' should have visited MARKETS.
island during the late food Why, any
thing else but club would have beel
useless in gratifying the ambition of anl
hunter.
}, Business. financially speaking, is ye
dull. The late financial crisis, of course
has its weight here as in other places, bu
money is becoming more plenty, and it i
fair to presume that in a short time thi
terrible matter will obtain its origin s
sanding.
Preparations are being made for
goodly number Of our Democratic cit
zens to attend the inauguration fes.ivitie
of Governor elect Allen on January Il
!, Hon. W. H. Oldham and other distir
, guished gentlemen will be in attendance
Judging from present indications, the OF
: casion will be the grandest of the kin
ever known to thepeople os our State
A tribute of respect to Ohio's great Den
ocratic Governor.
The excitement caused by war rumor:
E purporting thata brush with Spain wa
, inevitable, has considerably abated.-
: Many of our Marietta fire-eaters are cage
to maintain the dignity of the America
f flag at all hazards, These brave meI
f however, in case of war, propose doin
: their brushing at home. Sensible.
For the time of year, the weather hel
: is very warm. Will write again.
{ j. E. w.
Speaker Blaine and "Sunset" Coy
From the Washington Star.]
On Monday last our friend Cox wa