Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-03-25
In THE FLOOD.
A Thrilling Romance Of the
Yaze0 Valley.

flood experience appears IN the LOUIS
vile Post Of Wednesday evening last.
The location Of the thrilling adven-
ture is not given beyond the statement
that it all happened somewhere down
in the Yazoo country;
"They lived in the interior, some
distance from the river. The water
swept suddenly over their plantation.
Hogs, hstlessly roofing were sub
merged, swept away and seen no more.
Cows, catching the instinct OF danger,
beloved for their young. Horses
snorted and mules we're stampeded by
the roar to which they were unaccus-
toned, but which they seemed to
know BODIED danger. Dogs howled
and fowls futtered their way to the
fences as best they could. Persons
driving along roads found their way
obstructed by a surging rrent,which
bore fences, logs aud rubbish of all
kinds like so much cork upon its
foaming bosom.
I'VE gathered in the main build
ings, said my informant, "and thought
we were safe. But we saw the cabins
swept away like so many toy bladders,
one after another. When one would
go the negroes plunged in and waded
or swan to another, the grown carry
ing the young on boards or logs, with
such provisions as they could convey
in bundles. This continued for three
days. The fourth day came and the
waters were higher The fifth day
came and we found our dwelling was
being undermined. The walls were 20
cracked that we could almost see
through them. One side Of the house
then began to settle more rapidly. We
were then seriously alarmed, as there
was no other building that offered
better protection, and there was moth
ing but wild waste of waters without
as far as the eye could reach. But
something must DO done. We could
not risk another night, If you have
ever had to look death sQuarely in the
face" he added, you may have some
idea of how we felt And even then
it was net for ourselves so much as for
the females of the family that we felt
uneasy. Here were eight helpless
women and children, who we're about
being swallowed up by a food that had
already carried off every living thing
that was exposed toit. What we're we
to do? There were FIVE men besides
myself, and we went off in a room 10
decide upon some plan"
Cant We build boat2' said John
Evans.
Where are the tools?"
There is nothing but a Ratchet in
the. house. There are not even nails. "
Finally / said, There is but one
thing to build"
what is that?"
" A raft
We went to work at once. We
caught several heavy drift logs and
tied them to the porch. We then
priced of part of the roof and let it
down by ropes. Before dark we had
our raft. But as the work was being
finished the rain began to fall. The
night bid fair to be dreadful one.
The tide continued to swell and surge.
As darkness came the water looked
blacker than the night. The house
was still some shelter. We continued
to sit up, ready to embark at the first
additional sign Of danger to the build
ing II was a dreadful night. Drift
wood thumped against the side OF the
house. The water was fast cutting
away the foundation, and the floors
were slanting as if the whole structure
was about to turn topsy-turvy, and
empty US all in the maelstrom that was
sweeping by. At last there was a
ereaking and crashing noise. "She's
gone" said every one.
"Not YET"
The ether side of the foundation
was still sound, and though the water
gurgled under half the building, it
still held together. The rain was
falling in torrents. There was hardly
dry spot in any room. Here we
were huddled, waiting and waiting for
day or death. At last the dawn came
and just in time, for our habitation
was surely breaking to pieces. We
perfected our raft as best we could,
fastening different portions together
with strong cords, and flooring it with
boards. We put on two or three
chests of 7aluables and provisions, and
about 10 o'clock we drifted of. The
negroes in the cabins had been en-.
| gagged in similar work, and both raft.
we're set adrift. Our object was tc
steer them to a knoll about three
miles distant, where We were sure o.
| finding dry ground. The point wa,
reached and to our dismay, we found
1t covered with persons who had oc
cupied it in advance. There were
also numberof half starved cattl,
gathered. Nothing was left us but K
land and pitch our camp. Some bed
clothes were used as tents. Dirt
wood was gathered for fire. But tn,
provisions of the inhabitants wer
] about exhausted, and VIC had to sup
! ply many from our own scanty allow
q anee. We were soon admonish
! ed by the continuance Of the foo,
! that we must be less generous. VIVA
: we had left we must keep for cur
;. selves.
4 The third day after our arrival tn
1 stock on the knoll commenced dyin
n from sheer starvation. 1t was pitifu
: to see the poor creatures staggerin
o and falling on every hand. The bes
!. Of the herd were being killed for bee
IS But the meat soon became worthless
Then the inhabitants turned upo
those that we're poor and starving.
the meantime the rotling carcass,
filed the air with stencil. Many ha
decayed bodies were also washc
y ashore by the current. One mornir
v Al