The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-12-20
HUMBLE HERO
An Incident of the Flood in the
Alabama River.


Alabama River
Negroes frequently exhibit won
derful degree of heroism in times OF
danger. An instance of this l wit
messed in the spring of 1886, when
freshet in the Alabama river caused
the country on each side to be over
flowed by water for many miles.
The negroes on the river planta-
tons were the greatest sufferers
Their cabins would be under water
almost before they knew that danger
threatened them, and hundreds of
them were sometimes found huddled
together upon some knoll sufficiently
elevated to be above the water. There
they often remained two or three days
and nights without food and exposed
to a soaking rain. Fortunately, the
weather was not cold.
Many relief expeditions were sent
out from the neighboring towns to res
cue them. These consisted of one or
more boats, manned by expert oars
men and swimmers, and filed with
cooked provisions, blankets, etc. One
day the news came that the negroes on,
a certain plantation had sought refuge
upon a corn crib. around which the
water was rapidly rising, and so rem.
dering their condition exceedingly
precarious Two boats started out at
once to their assistance In one OF
these | went, accompanied by another
white man and negro.
An amusing occurrence took place
aot long after our starting. In the
middle of a submerged field, about one
hundred yards to our right we saw
little, woolly black head. with
frightened black face beneath it, pro-
jectlng from the water. We
rowed hastily towards it and drew
out of the muddy water a negro boy
about eight years old, perfectly naked,
and he'd him up among U.S.
Here, Moses" cried one, holding a
tin cup with whisky in it to his mouth,
''here, take a drink
'Take a bite of this bread, Moses"
cried another, trying to crowd the
bread into his mouth.
''No; let Moses have some of this
fried bacon. It'll do him the most
good" said the negro oarsman.
But Moses shook his head and turned
aside from all the offered food.
Use erbleeged to yer, marsters,"
he said, while his white teeth shone
and his eyes rolled wildly. "r Sc
erbleeged ter yer, but hain't sot down
in two days, by tryin' to keep my head
out de watah, an all wants, eff yer
please. is to set down."
He was promptly wrapped in
blanket and set down, where for an
hour he sat without moving. enjoying
the perfect rest of his new position.
AT the end of that time he began to
eat. draw vail over his perform
ance in this line. We feared we had
rescued him from watery grave to
Kill him with corn bread and bacon.
although the negro oarsman insisted
that he never heard of "niggah bein'
hurt by too much to eat" Meeting a
returning boat soon after. we put
Moses in it and sent him to town. l
never heard of him again, but presume
be survived both his unusual bath and
banquet.
We resumed our journey, and just
before dark sighted the corn crib.
upon which mass of black hui
mainly clustered like swarm of
bees. A heavy rain was now falling.
and daylight beginning to fade away,
their condition become most distress
ing, as they sat in perfect silence
watching our approach.
But we did not appreciate their ex.
IRENE peril until, as the boat struck
against the frail Lighthouse, which was
in the water to the edges of the roof,
1t visibly shook and tottered. The
poor creatures began to Chamber hur.
riedly down to the boat.
''Stopr' I cried. The women and
children first"
The men obediently resumed their
seats. We took in first the children
and then the women, getting them all
IN safely, and were about to push of,
telling the men we would hurry back
Tor them as quickly as possible Or send
;he first boat we met. when a very old
woman q noticed she was the last to
get In the boat and had done SO re-
luctantly) seized the corner of the
house, and. looking anxiously into my
ace, said:
"MarSter, amt you gwine take nv
,e lrsu?''