Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-04-16
THE DEUCE IN DIXIE.

Further Reports OF the Damage and Loss
of Life by the Freshet In the South-Rail-
road Traffic suspended-Peoplc Huddled
on Housctops to Escape the Fury of the
Rushing Waters.
B1RM1SGn HAM, Ala. April 2.-Speciala
from the river towns OF North Alabama
show that the effects OF the freshet arc
worse than was ~telegraphed. Gadsden
reports the Coosa river at its highest
mark and still rising, with alarming
reports from above. All the railroad
bridges on the branch road between
Alfalfa and Gadsden have been swept
away, and u number of washouts on the
Alabama Great Southern are reported on
both sides of Alfalfa. The mill and lumber
interests at Gadsden suffered immense
damage. The Tennessee river is reported
out of it's banks at several points.
The water is a foot deep in the Tusca-
loosa cotton factory and work has been
abandoned. Just before dark the wreck OF
0 small house passed down the river, and
several persons were observed clingilrg. to
the timbers. Rescuing parties in skiffs
started out inpursuit from the Tuscaloosa
shore and were rapidly borne outside by
the rapid current. Many persons living on
lowlands below Tuscaloosa had to be res
cued from their homes in skiffs.
RICHMOND, Va, April 2.-The'James riv-
err at this point rose steadily all-day, and
at nine o'clock p m. nearly all that por-
ton OF the city known as Rockets was
submerged to q depth OF from eight to ten
feet. The water has also invaded the
streets about the old market, between
Fifteenth and Eighteenth streets, cutting
off communication between the upper ana
lower part of the city. Many poor fami
lies living in Rockets have been driven
from their homes. From present indica-
tions this food will surpass those OF 1870
and 1877.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, April 2.-The river
continues to rise about two inches an
hour. 1t is now at a greater height than
at any time since 1875. The suburbs are
inundated and large factories have
suspended operations. Several hundred
houses there are in water from one
to ten feet deep. The business por-
ton OF this city is not affected.
Dayton, Tenn, is under seven feet OF water,
and the damage is great. The millions OF
feet OF lumber on RATS and along the bank
of the river and the barges OF grain are
still secure. The railroads are about five
ie.t under water at Boyce, and about the
same at Waulnatchie. No trains are NOV.
ing.
CUMBERLAND, Md, April Recent
,eavy rains have caused the south branch
of the Potomac River to rise to a greater
height than for nine years past, and the
Baltimore & Ohio railroad, as well as the
telegraph wires, is submerged. No trains
have been able to get through since early
yesterday morning and communication
with that section OF the country bordering
on the river is entirely cut off. The mails
are all water-bound. The damage by the
freshet is very heavy, although its extent
can not be estimated.
BosroN, April 2.-specials from Vermont
report that Che heavy rain Wednesday
night and melting snow back in the mount.
ain raised the rivers SO that great damage
is being done. Main street in Berlin, across
the river from Montpelier, is filled many
feet high with ice for nearly one mile
The Winooskibranch is highertlan at an,
time since 1860. Easements and cellars ar.
flooded.