The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-04-08
THE FLOOD IN ALABAMA. .
Loss of fLife-ProviGing for the Sufferers
Railroads Damaged.

Railroads Damaged.
BIRMINGHAM, April l.-Specials to
the Age from the river towns OF North
Alabama show that the effects of the
fresilet are worse even than tclegraphed
Yesterday. Gadsden reports the Coosa
river at its highest mark and rising with
alarming reports from above. All rail-
road bridges on the branch road, be-
tween Alfalfa and Gadsden, are swept
away. and a number of washouts on the
Alabama Great Southern are reported
on both sides Of the Alfalfa. The mill
and lumber interests at Gadsden have
suffered immense damage.
The Tennessee is reported out Of its
banks at several points. From Tusca.
loosa, on the Warrior river, advices are
serious, though it is believed the worst
has passed. Many houses on either
side OF the river have been abandoned
and the water is running through the
doors and windows. Some families oc.
cupy the upper stories of dwellings and
skifs and fat boats are used for trans-
port >.tion. -
The village of Northport, across, the
river from Tuscaloosa, Is almost SUBJ
merged now, and the iron bridge con-
Meeting the two places IS under water at
both ends, and fears are entertained for
its safety. The water is foot deep IN
the Tuscaloosa Cotton Factory. and
work had to be abandoned. just before
dark the wreck of a small house passed
down the river, and several persons
were observed cliDging to the timbers.
Rescuing parties. in skifls, started out
in pursuit from the Tuscaloosa shore and
were rapidly borne out Of sight by the
rapid current. Many persons living on
low lands below Tuscaloosa had to he
rescued from their homes in skiff'. No
calculation can yet be made of the
amount of damage to the farming inter-
ests and to railroads and other high
ways. :,
MONTGOMERY, ALA, april "A
special to the Advertiser states that rs
Warrior, Coosa snd T'rllapoosa rivers
Gall, thousands of horses, mules, cattle
and hogs have been swept away. All
the corn, cotton seed and provisions in
reach Of the food were destroyed. and
planters in the cverfowed region will
rave great difficulty in starting anew for
this years crop. Relief boats have
brought in a large number of the people
who had been in peril and without food
for three days. The President Of the
Board of Inspectors made his way with
boats to the impcrilled places and got
them of in safety. So far the reports
of drowning in the various portions OF
the State foot up nine persons, all colo1.
ed but one. Four Of these were wo-
man and three children who fioated Off
In BIN dos,tS the C,alia''si river. 2:
The river has fallen about ten inches.
Boats have been distributing food all
day through the inundated parts of the
city. Several hundred persons have
been shut up for two days without food.
The convicts on the State farm, alter a
perilous time, were carried from The
flooded quarters in q fiat boat for mile
and a half and placed in the penlten-
tiary at Wetumpka. Reports from
different points near here show that five
more negroes have been drowned. A
steam ferry boat lett here to-day. going
up the river to pick up all persons in
danger and to supply food to the water
bound people. 1t will 90 to Wetumpka
on the COosa river.
A special from Opelika says: john
son Bridges, engineer Of the construc-
ton tram, which went down on the
Tallapoosa river, died after his leg was
amputated. Six hands on same train had
already died Or been drowned.