Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-04-23
THE GREAT RAIN STORM.
Damage to Bridges, Railroads In the
City and COuntry-A Severe
Flood In Prospect.

The heavy raiu storm yesterday and
last night, continuing until 2 o'clock
to-day has been quite general, and it is
feared that much damage has resulted
throughout the country and adj accent to
Memphis. In this city the Second street
bridge near the Louisville depot has
been damaged to such an extent as to
require rebuilding. The middle arch Of
brick and the side walls have caved in,
rendering further crossing on the bridge
impossible. This morning there was a
large crowd at the place to view the
damaged bridge. The footbridgs recent
~ constructed uuder Webster street was
swept away. This bridge was principal
ly used by the pupils who attend the
Peabody school, and its loss will prove a
great Inconvenience. The Bayou Gay.
oso and its branches have been at al
most food tide during the day. 1t is re.
ported that the water has damaged the
Adams street bridge, but at the present
writing the reliability Of this rumor can
not be sscertained. The bridge does not
seem to be materially damaged.
A trustle at Horn Lake on the Missis-
sippi and Tennessee railroad was washed
away last night, thereby temporarily in.
%terrupting travel on Ibis popular line.
Owing to this damage the aecommoda.
ton train could not go out this morning,
but as workmen are busy repairing the
trustle a train will leave here on regular
time, at three o'clock this afternoon. No
damage is reported along the lire Of the
Louisville railroad. Along the Charles.
ton road it is feared some damage has
been done to dwellings, as a terrific
wind storm passed in the vicinity of
Collierville last night. The storm pur.
sled a course of two miles along the
Charleston road, uprooting trees and
sweeping away fences. We have rot
heard of any damage Of dwellings to IN.
jury of persons. The wind was unu.
suaily heavy, being accompanied by
excessive rain aud linghtnining. Con.
ductor Buck Simmons, of the Som.
erville branch road, found a great part
OF this track inundated tEis morning, and
at several places had to wade knee-deep
through the water before the train would
venture. We are Of opinion that be will
have to camp at Moscow to night, AMI
that his train will hardly try to reach
Somerville until tomorrow, as the rain
since this morning has been continuous
and heavy. The high water in Wolf river
has carsened MasSey's bridge, on the
Galloway road, two miles north OF Ridge
way. Wolf river is now out of bank in
many places, as are other streams, and
it is feared that many Of the Shelby
county bridges will be damaged beyond
use, If not swept away by the food. The
Massey bridge was damaged by the great
food last June, but since then il has
been IN use, as it was Strengthened
and again placed in position. At
the new bridge at Grehan's Ferry
on Wolf river, two miles north Of the
city, the water is within three feet of the
point reached during the food of lest
June. This bridge at last report, made
early this morning, vas FIVE or six feet
above the raging water. However, the
rain continues, and as a large and con.
stautly increasing volume Of water is
coming down all the streams, we may
expect unusual damage to farms, fences,
houses, railroads bridges and crops.
Last night the rain and wind we're
accompanied with heavy thunder and
brilliant Ii lightning, the latter being almost
incessant. Up to the present writing, 2
pm the amount OF rainfall since 9
o'clock last night is four inches, making
a total of twelve inches for this month.
By the caving in of the Second street
bridge the water company main is dam.
aged, but will be repaired by tomorrow.
At present a small supply of water is
furnished by an auxiliary pipe, aud with
out ten pounds pressure.