Connecticut western news., 1874-06-12

position; splashjng through water in many instances knee deep; not stopping for even an umbrella. although the water poured down in such torrents that it actually roared, and the heavens were illuminated with continuous flash of lightning. Such a time was never known to the denizens of any of the usually quiet villages in this re- zion, as was experienced by our citizens last Sunday night. Horses and cattle were let loose in the streets to seek their safety as best they might and general confusion prevailed for awhile.
 It soon became apparent however, that the dam at Riga had not gone, as the vol tune of water, (although the street was full to the depth O. foot and more to tue post office. did not increase but every body was trembling with fear that evidence that would not be disputed would soon convince them that it really had broken away, and the village consequently be destroyed.
 Men patrolled that portion of the street that could be forded, with lanterns, and watched the moving of the waters till past o'clock, and till they had subsided sufi- ciently to allay in measure their fears, when they retired to their homes, while others kept their vigils till daylight.
 This second flood carried away the re- maining bridge (the road bridge) which crossed the stream near Lawyer Warner's, and very effectually rendered the Sunday work of the railroad hands in repairing the damage of Saturday, of no avail; tearing out the remaining portion of the abutment of tbeir bridge below the depot and wash ing away the sand entertainments filled in Sunday forenoon.
 The damage sustained by MT. M. L.. Dexter is severe. His mill is torn terribly; his dam entirely gone and his door yard washed very badly. A sheet of water poured down the hull at the north of his house and into it and on the floors He has moved his goods to-we don't know where When there Monday morning, he was at work with all the help he could ob- tain, getting them on the bank above his second thought being to find place fol them alter he got them secured from fur ther danger rum the water. The poor man is not only actually driven out doors, but off his own premises by the water, and deserves the substantial sympathy of his less unfortunate neighbors.
 MONDAYS ALARMS.
 Early Monday morning, MT. Wentworth, who has had charge of the Riga dam fo, several years past, saw that the constantly | increasing pressure on the walls of the dam occasionally moved them, little by little. and thinking the final collapse could not possibly be prevented but 8 very short time. and might go at any moment, sen, a messenger to warn the people of what seemed inevitable, and all possible prepa- ration was made to guard against the de struction of life and property Household goods were moved to high ground and families deserted their homes, while those who could do no more watched the waters as they sarged and roared over the rocks, undermining fences and trees, ana carrying away everything before it, expecting every moment to see the huge of destruc- tiOn rushing upon the village. A gang of men commenced early in the morning dig ging trenches at each side of the dam, to divert the current and pressure from the masonry and center, hoping almost against hope, to succeed in keeping thestone work from giving way, till the water could be drawn gradually off and thus relieve the pressure, making it safe At about II o'clock, Mir. Civil Engineer Pettee with others went up there to render all assist anee in their power to avert the impending calamity. and aaost faithfully did these men with MT. Wentworth and his help, la- Dor all the day long to savethe dam and secure the gradual drainage of the lake AS the day wore away the Gumors from headquarters began to conflict with each other, and very soop after word had beer received inspiring hope, and almost before the sigh of relief had escaped the lips oi the terror stricken, another would bring word that it was ''going now sure: The dam couldn't possibly hold twenty minutes longer" tSc. ESc. Monday, June sth, ls74 will long be remembered by the people ot this village as day of fear and trembling Early an the evening of Monday. the vol ume of water passing through the village began to increase. and sooR the street. were for the third time Hooded; the water setting back again to the post-ofGce. Int current in the street was turned as before near the stores, and poured down into tn, fields at the east of the village. A wort was received frem the dam, that if the peo .ple could stand what was then coming, al would be well, as the washing away of tn, .embankment had reached hard bottom an( wOnld not wash deeper, This third inun- dation failed to bring with it any serious alarEa, and most of the people, aeing weary with the constant watching anG fear of tn, past twenty-fou- hours, retived to thei homes and to rest, feeling degree of safe ty not enjoyed before withiu'the time men tioned. At Il o'clock at night the wate was perceptibly. lower, and at 4 o'clock Tuesday morning all water had left tht street, and the stream was ,occupying-w, cannot say it's usual bed, for it has entirel, changed it's course through the village, bu it was occupying no more than about it
 usual bed and all danger seemed ct an end
 The brook in the north part. of the VII lage known as the Moore brook also go mad Sunday night and went on a,tear dow1 through the railroad end wagon bridge near MT. Buudy's; rippirg out the soutl abutment aad one of the wooden "horse' supports; uaeerthing the north abutmen of the highway bridge and letting one cor ner of one of the sides down into the wa ter and taking the foot bridge away ~hool and sinker," and piling it up very nicely among the trees quarter of mile beyond