The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-09-18
THE DRIFTING STORM.
The Waters Rush in Upon Au-
iguSta.
STRANGE SCENES AND INCIDENTS.
Augustn Under wnter.

A city under water
Such is Augusta tonight
When the banks of the canal gave way
today, it was because Of the pent-uD floods OF
two weeks, which have pressed and surged,
until water triumphed over land, and then
The greatest flood since 1870 began.
Two weeks ago the fioodgates OF heaven
were opened. The waters from the mountains
Of Rabun from the Hill country Of South Caro-
lima, gathered in thousand rills and creeks,
pouring into the Savannah, gathering strength
as well as volume as they rolled Onward
20 the sea.
With swshing sound the foods from the
up-conntry began beating against the canal
bank this morning. Gentle at first each wave
gained strength until Mt last it became as the
lashlng OF giant against wall OF granite.
With heavier stroke each wave returned until
the Tickling stream first found vent, followed
by the last grand dash, which
swept before 1t every artifice OF man, and the
banks were carried in great clumps in hum
dred directions, and finally crushed into moth
ingness.
The factory district was first submerged. On
the waters crept until they began 20 pour into
Broad street, and thence through the inter
seetiDg streets to Greene. The telegraph
office was invaded until tho floor
was covered
The waters reached their greatest triumph
when, turning tho highest grade Of Broad
street they ran onward IN continuous stream,
presenting the novel spectacle Of four miles OF
boating on a public street.
When the water began to approach from the
factory side IL lifted the small houses as if they
were but toy boxes and moved them around
in wild confusion. A strange suggestion was
prompted by the scene. 1t looked as if the
people, instead Of calling upon each other
on foot, had simply adopted new plan, and
the houses moved around, meeting each
other somewhat boisterously but heartily A
cabin. with Its scared inmates at the door,
would float up TO another, in which stood
similar group, touch each other like the glasses
IN q Dutch saloon, and then part company
again. On the roof OF one colored woman
sat, looking about with the utmost self-com-
posure. crying out 10 those who heard her
''De Lawd he sent me here, an do Lawd he
gwinc to do what's right"
Scenes and Incidents on the Water
AUGUSTA, Ga, September 1i.-Special J..
With feet ankles and knees bathed In ugly
muddy water sit writing this story Of the
greatest Hood ever known in Augusta, proba-
bly, in the entire south. Almost the entire
city is covered with water. The streets are
flowing angry, surging streams in which boats
wei manned alone can survive, but in the
midst of all this the people are happy and iu-
bilant, SO much 30 that since dark tonight the
heavens have been illuminated by an almost
incessant blaze Of fro works sent up not by a
reckless crowd OF dissipated boys about tho
town, but by merchants and business men
who say ooh, this little freshet is nothing
and We will make tho time merry while it Is
here" We walked half mile to
we founk throng of 400 to 500 people-men,
women and children mixed Unfortunately
stood upon tho edge OF the stream watching a
half dozen boats anchored near by. In the
boats stood negroes and white men whose
brawny arms showed plainly their strength
lis we approached tho boat men yelled
Boat sir; boat" The party halted upon
the edge OF the stream and glanced at or rather
III the direction of the fountain city.
1 finally bought his boat and then maid two Of
them a mil ma 1
stepped into tho boat, Wilson grabbed me by
the arm, saying, Don't go" But then he
gave me hearty shake of the hand, and one
of the mon pushed the boat away.
For two blocks we moved along evenly nj
most gracefully. Then we approached the
canal This formed what is called here the
current, and swift current it Is. Nothing could
stem IT. My two sailors headed my yacht up
stream and struck the current. Into il we
went like quartorhorse, and down the stream
we gl!ded, SO fast that my head began to swim.
Just be steady, boss" said one of the sail
ors, "and we will get through, hope"
SAT steady; the mon pulled steady, and
mile down the stream we came out of the cur
rent. Tho water was here twelve to fifteen
feet deep, and through n residence yard we ran
into jackson, the cotton avenue OF the city
Hero the boat encountered another current,
but the muscular sailors overcame it, and we
finally toated up to the Chronicle office.
Colonel Pat Walsh, the well-known editor,
was standing at the Broad street entrance knee
deep In water Beside him stood Ed Hook
the city editor, incasod in full suit of rub
Der. Both gentlemen were smiling and
Colonel Walsh stepped forward. saying:
Knew IhE CONSTITUTION would send
Some one up to see this flood, and have pre-.
pared card for you Here il is"
Editors Constitution. Atlanta, Ga; Augusta has
been wet for the last frtyeight hours but she win
come up dry and smiling tomorrow morning. The
exposition viii take place according TO announce.
mcht' kSiSneul PATRICK WALSH.
Sunday came and that night all
Augusta went to bod happy. Early in the
night however the water began to rise rap
idly and for sometime went up AT
rate OF thirteen inches an hour About four
O'Clock tho Waterman ut the Riverside mills
discovered the danger and gave the alarm by
long and loud whistles from his engine. The
operators, who reside in the cottages about the
mill, awoke 10 find thor houses filled with
water. Ii was pitch dark. The rain was fall
ing and the water was about three feet deem
No one knew what danger threatened him,
aud Tor time
CRIBS AND sHRIKKs
drowned the uoise of the storm and the shrill
whtstllng OF the engine. Finally those whose
lives were impered, became calmer and be-
gan 20 do the best that could be dome. Some
succeeded in getting to dry gtound while
Others got away from the water by getting up
on the tops of the houses and climbing into
trees i'll friendly proximity. When the waters
began 10 rise Sunday night. il was so rapid that
~ tilouEuA VI hhNthlhE To eat was INDUCED
~, All ediblcs were left in tho pantries as
the people went higher in the buildings, and
when hunger manifested itself the walter had
destroyed tho flour aud washed the meats
away.
In many instances families have had an
absolute two days fast bat tomorrow they
Will have a feast, The mayor has last issued
proclamation in which he asserts that those
who need help and canno; call for it will be
supplied al their homes tomorrow by commit
lees ia boats. This is just like Augusta.
There have been many rumors Of loss Of
llfe, but so far only ono person has been
drowned. Bolivar Williams, an employe OF
the Sibley mills, with his bother undertook TO
make money oat Of a boat They had two pas
sengers and in crossing the canal
THK BOAT WAS CAFsi1Ep.
The two passengers escaped SO did VII
lans's brother, but he won't under The trim
across the canal Is not only dangerous hut
lengthy. This morning three commercial men
hired boat The nowdy boys are
well known as hunters aud fisher
men. They uied 90 cross tho waters with a
lady and gentleman, and nothing has been
seen of the party since
Conducting fun raj in boats IS a
Lt.g /,