The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-26
COLU M BIA.

NOLU MBlA OtF1CE. HERALD ~ n EN >
COLUMBIA, S. c., May 9th, 1886.
Oh the floods, the terrible floods! Co.
lumbia has not suffered such loss since
the flood Of 1865, as has been caused by
the rains and the swollen COngarec dll-
ring the past week. Wednesday the
river began to rise, and continued 10 grow
larger and larger. Thursday it had risen
so as to overflow the banks and sweep
over the young crops, destroying every
thing in its track. The manager OF the
canal. fearing the effect OF the waters,
endeavored to strengthen the upper dam
TO prevent the river from breaking
through and damaging the banks and
waSteways, but with all his efforts the
waters burst through on Friday morn
ing, and cut its way, first across the
bank OF the canal, about fifty yards be-
low the mouth, where an opening of
about fifty feet was made. Lower down.
some three hundred and fifty feet above
the city water works another break was
made, and the current in the canal and
river was so swift that the bank was
gradually washed away until it reached
the new water works which gave way
at , o'clock OF that day. The reservoir
between the new and old water works
fell in on the upper side, which it is
thought prevented tie destruction OF the
old water works. Large trees icll be-
fore the surging waters as if they were
mere pipe stems. The canal broke again
at the wastcway and cut an opening OF
nearly fifty feet. And still lower down.
near Jervais street, another break of
about the same size. The damage 20 the
city water works is estimated ut six
thousand dollars. The damage to canal
is yariouSly estimated at from five to
one hundred thousand dollars | think
4 low estimate of the damages, in case
the banks are rebuilt, is fifty thousand
dollars. II the work is suspended for
lack OF appropriations the loss will
amount to whatever the cost has been
for it, which, in labor and money, is not
less than three hundred thousand dol
lars. for what has been done within the
last four years. Col. 7. J. Lipscomb
estimates the loss to the penitentiary, on
the fal ms in which they are interested,
at ten thousand dollars. The loss to corn,
oats and cotton Oh the farms OF MeSSrs. J.
C. Sceger<, L. D. Childs, T. B. Aughtry,
J. VI. Graham, w. D. Starting and others
is very great. The small grain is
complete loss; the cotton and corn will
have to be planted over. They also lost
heavily by the drowning OF their stock
and cattle; Mr.. Startling alone losing
about twenty-five hundred dollars
worth. The river on Friday morning
was in four feet of the Consarec bridge,
but no serious damage has been diScov-
cred to this valuable property. The
bridge of the c.. e. and A. r. r., over
the Congaree, was slightly damaged On
Friday, which caused a delay OF the
trains until Sunday morning. The
Broad River bridge stood the storm with
slight damage. On Sunday morning it
was found that the rock pier on the Co.
lnmbia side had been undermined, and
that the stone had fallen in on the upper
side for about six feet from the ground
to the centre of the pier. The toll keep
cr closed the bridge and sent for one of
the stockholders who went out about
30 p. m, and after conSenting to allow
two buggieS TO cross, Orderc't the ga eS
closed. and notice put up to the effect,
that no further travel would be allowed
until the damage could be repaired
This was the only outlet by private con-
vcyance to the Lexington Fork and
Ncwbcrrv. and will cause great iNcon-
rcncncc to the travelling public until it
is repaired, which we hope will b. done
by the 23th. Columbia has been cut Oft
from railroad and tclegraphic communi-
cation with the cities and towns on the
G.. & G. r. r. south of Ninctv-SiN since
Thursday noon; also. with Richmond.
Thursday and Friday. The water sup
ply is reduced one-half or more by the
destruction of the water works and is in
danger OF great loss in case OF fire.
Gov. Thompson visited Washington
during the past week.
The ''orange blossoms were the at
tractive flowers of Columbia during the
past week. Capt. Willie Jones. Cashier
Of the Carolina Bank, and Miss Annie
RcauN Caldwell were married at the
Episcopal Church by the Rev. 2. J.
Shand, ID, assisted by Rev. Judd, on
the evening OF the Goth, in presence of
the largest aSSemblage that ever gath
cred in that church to witness the union Of
Il happy pair. Capt. Jones is the most pop
nlar man among young and old in Co!unl-
bia, and ne and his fair bride have the
best wishes of host CT friends for Il long.
prosperous and happy life. They LETT
the same evening for 4 three months |
tour in Europe. The directors OF the
bank voted him three months vacation. |
Salary to continue.
I'VE have since learned that the Broad !
river bridge has been found to be safe
and is open to the public.l