The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-09-16

to be generally c0ncedea tnat the n1eD.WaleT
at Lynchburg and the water from tue Ri
wanna would cause the James here to rise
|about ten feet above ordinary high tide, and
all preparations appeared to have been based
upon that idea. After the publication OF
our special telegram dated at Lynchburg IL
o'clock Friday night, to the effect that the
water was about at q stand. fears OF serious
rise here were dispelled. Between O'Clock
A. M. and p. NJ. Saturday the river had
risen about n feet. a1
The property OF the James-Riyer I'M
provement Committee was made secure
during the day Saturday, and no fears 1or
the safety OF any. Of their machinery were
entertained. :,
at the Chesapeake and Ohio wharves all
the freight on the lower wbarves was moved
beyond the reach of the water, and orders
issued to all the employees to be on hand
promptly at O'Clock Sunday morning in
case their services should be needed.
ON THE RAILROADS.
OF the railroads coming into Richmond
the Chesapeake and Ohio appears to have
been the only one that has been injured by
the late storm and the high water.
On Saturday all OF the damage which the
Chesapeake and Ohio railway had sustained
between Richmond and Hinton had been
fully repaired and trains were running on
their usual time. One or two slides re-
manned to be cleared away west OF Hinton,
and with that work accomplished the entire
line between Richmond and Huntington
will be opened, and the regular running OF
trains resumed. The mail train came
through from Hinton on Saturday, reaching
here promptly on times ?. M.-bringing
down large number OF passengers who
were returning from the springs.
VESSELS ASHORE.
| On Saturday afternoon just before high
tide the tug o. A. Arnold left the wharf at
Rockets, having in tow two schooners.
After she had proceeded short distance
the hawser became entanSled in the Ar
nold's wheel, rendering her helpless for
the time being. The three vessels drifted
along down the strong current short dis
tance, when the James-River improvement
steamers, approaching the condition OF ar-
! fairs, went to the Arnold's assistance, and
carried her to the Old Dominion Steamship
Company's wharf. Meanwhile the two
schooners were carried by the current on
the old railway, where they struck. After
the Arnold was made fast the Craighill went
back for the schooners, and carried them
to place Of safety.
While this was going on the tug Arctic
started out with the brig Rocky Glen, with
cargo OF flour, and bound for South Ame-
RIGA. In starting out the current struck
the vessel and prevented the tug from get
ting her round, and she drifted broadslde
down the stream, far out OF the channel,
striking the bottom two or three times.
Finally she went ashore near the brewery
wharf, where, at last accounts, she was
-: H. ~foiv, tofa hot oh a
tanned no damage. 1t is probable she will
Get off at the next tide and proceed on her
way.
AN EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT.
The following account Of the late storm
in the county is furnished by an eye-wit-
ness:
HENRICo, September 13, 1878.
Dear Dispatch: Being all eyewitness
OF the terrible whirlwind that swept
through our section Yesterday friend has
requested me to give description Of it; !;
but shall attempt only sketch, for find
language inadequate to the task.
About O'Clock P. M. there was very
heavy shower of rain; the drops were
large, and fell thick and fast; but suddenly,
in breath, it stopped, and, as remarked
on its sudden stopping, heard sound
L
describe more accurately, like great boil
| ing in the air. I went to the window and
saw approaching, at the rate Of about mile
| in two minutes, fearful whirlwind. Its
direction was in straight line from south
east to northwest, the breadth OF its path
about 100 yards, in form round, and ap-
peared like dark, rolling cloud, so black
that nothing could be discerned for some
| distance above the tops Of the tallest trees
and then could be distinctly seen the whirl-
ing, boiling, twisting motion OF the air. 1t
seemed determined to tear everything in its
course from the face Of the earth. Houses
were snatched up, trees twisted of, and all
manner of vegetation mingled with muddy
earth in the awful whirl, until they seemed
lost in the cloud that floated above.
1t was grand but fearful sight. Por-
tions of houses and branches OF trees were
carried for miles. From my windows |
had quite an extended view OF the storm.
It approached in q few hundred yards OF
my house. There was nothing unusual in
the air about me. No damage was done
save to the vegetable kingdom, therefore
do not consider it worthy Of note. The
houses OF several OF our ncighbors were
entirely Extraordinarily lone stone left
upon another" Others were badly dam
1neQ. IuG crop III It's pdLu Was Vi
course destroyed. I am glad to report no
body killed, though several persons were
badly hurt. Among the most serious cases
to which my attention was called was Mr..
Hughes and little daughter Of Mr. Carter.
Mr. Hughes's house was entirely destroyed,
and its contents scattered to the four winds.
| His injuries OF person are not dangerous.
stood watching the destroyer as it ap-
preached the house of Mr.. Carter. AS soon
as it passed I mounted my horse and rode
as quickly as could to give my assistance.
Mrs. Carter and her four little ones were
alone. Her cries could be distinctly heard.
She fell some yards from the house with two
little ones in her arms. One lay at her feet
apparently dead; but the injuries were
slight, save to little Hassie. For her had
scarcely hope.
| When think OF the storm in its might its
| fearful destruction seems small. can only
wonder so little was done.
Yours respectfully,
j. e. WOODWARD, NJ. D.
AT Mr.. HlGGINBoTHAM's.
On Saturday members of Mr.. Higginbot-
hams family came to the city on business.
They represent the storm as being far more
severe than described in this paper. It is
stated that the heavy pillars Of the front
porch were blown more than mile away,
but not vestige of some OF the other build.