The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-01

The pitiless storm which burst upon the
CITY Monday night about O'Clock with such
severity, lasting until past midnight, and Of
which we gave brief account yesterday,
was the heaviest we have had for many
years. Its details, II they were oil laid be-
fore our readers, would fill columns Of this
paper. Indeed, 1t would be next TO impos-
sible 10 gather all OF the incidents OF that
memorable night for publication In one edi-
ton. The devastating work OF the rain and
lightning may be seen on Cary, Dock, Grace,
Marshall, Broad, Clay, and Franklin streets
east OF Fourteenth, and on many OF the
streets in the western portion OF the
city. But not alone In Richmond has
there been serious damage. but In some OF
the counties norib and west OF the city,
while in Chesterfield, aod even in other
counties south OF the James, there was lit
tie or no rain and but little lightning, and
therefore little damage. Richmond seemed
to be it's centre. The great black clouds
from the north and west gathered here, and
for nearly four hours the lightning flashes
following each other in rapid succession
lighted up scene long to be remembered,
the thunder came with terrific peals, and
the rain poured down in drenching tor
rents. The streets were deserted, every
body who could do so having taken shelter
beneath some friendly roof.
IN THE CITY.
The many streams and branches flowing
into Gilie's creek and Shockoe creek soon
flushed these two streams TO such an extent
that they rushed along down their beds
under the arches through the city until
they looked like rivers. The angry currents
carried everything before them, and before
midnight people who lived upon their
borders, or who did business near them,
realized that the great rain OF the 30th
OF August had brought with 1t danger and
destruction. Whole families moved out TO
be safe. Businessmen gathered their
forces OF hands and carried their goods,
merchandise, and tobacco 10 places OF
safety. 1t was a thrilling scene down town
between Fifteenth and seventeenth and
Clay and Cary streets, as the good people
there told us yesterday; and they declare 1t
is their hope that no such similar visitation
may come upon this fair city at least In
their day.
NORTH OF BROAD STREET.
The most serious damage done north OF
Broad street was on Marshall street between
the Chesapeake and Ohio track and the city
stable-yaTd near the Jail. Nearly every one
OF the framed buildings on the south side
OF Marshall street between Nos. 1901 and
1919 were more or less damaged, the water
either going into the easements or street
floors, or iniuring property in the yards.
This was very strikingly the case at No.
1919, owned by George Moody and occu-
pied by the family OF coored woman named
Smith. This house was two stories high,
and was pretty well demolished. About
midnight the water commenced pouring
through the yard, and the first act OF the
family was TO cut loose the halter OF the COW
in the yard, and the last was to save them
selves from being drowned. just in front
OF this house, on the opposite side OF the
street, were the two bridges-One from Pop
lar street, and the other from point higher
up the creek In the Valley. The street at
this point was slightly washed, and the low
land between Marshall and Broad showed
evidences OF the high water, where the mud
was several inches deep.
BETWEEN BROAD AND FRANKLIN STREETS.
The actual damage done by the water
! between Broad and Franklin streets was
not so serious as north OF Broad or from
Franklin to Main. Shockoe creek, after
| leaving the arch under Broad st eet, spread
out OF its banks and flowed over the newly
|
lin. IL rose up against the side OF Dayis's
new cannery, and on the opposite or eaSl
side OF the creek into portion OF Mr.. Talia'
ferro's lumber-yard, undermining some oi
the piles OF lumber and carrying 1t down
upon the breast OF the angry current
This lumber, and the DEBRIS from
the damaged buildings above and The
bridges that had been washed away, piled
| nil q
Franklin street, obstructing the free pas
sage OF the water and causing 1t TO back uG
towards Broad street until there was very
broad and dangerous-looking sheet o.
water on the flats between the two streets
As the rain continued to fall the stream be
came more swollen, and the increased vol
ume OF water carried much OF the materla
through the arch and down the creek TO
wards the river. Probably several Thousand
feet OF lumber was carried down or pileC
I'D at the Union-street arch.
BETWEEN FRANKLIN AND MAIN STREETS.
The floating dfbriS described was carried
on down the creek under Franklin stree
towards Main, and gathered in considerable
quantities in the arch on the north sid
OF Main street under Zimmer's former ice
cream mandatory. This OF course OBJ
structed the passage OF the water to con
siderable extent, and it backed up into tb
lower floors OF the houses on Franklin
street, undermining one and carrying ava.
a small wooden sbanty on the side OF tn
creek south OF Franklin street. This back
water caused a great deal Of damage. tn
bridge OF Messrs. II. NJ. Smith Co. whic
spans the creek near this point was ais
carried off, and, floating down the stream
helped to block up the arch and prevent Id
water flowing on TO the river. Matters di.
not begin to look serious until about mid
night. but the damage was speedily don
afterwards, and all Of the stores within III
water.line on Franklin street were more o
less flooded. Unlike serious rise In th
river. when the back.water comes graduali
upon the people on Franklin street, the ris
of Monday came so suddenly that they ha
no time to make precautionary preparations
HORSES DROWNED AND RESCUED.
Much OF the reclaimed land on the cree
between Broad and Franklin streets wa
washed away, and the increasing currel
, soon reached the back OF Thomas Duke
stable. on the north side OF Franklin stree
and went pouring into his carriage-hous
and the stable below. There were eighteen
twenty borses-his own and horses OF otnel
being boarded-in this stable. The wats
gained such headway that when Mr.. DuS
got 10 the stable, between IL and IL o'cIocl
: he had little or no time to form any plans Il
the rescue Of the animals. He could he'
them in the stable under the carriage-ho houl
plunging about in the water, which wei wei
nigh covered them. A pair OF tne Da,
. had already broken down the stalls, al
. were SOON overcome and drowned:
! rescue the others was the problem. Lsrl
i holes were cut In the floor above their head