The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-22
A WATERSPOUT.
A MOTHER AND SEVEN CHILDREN
LOST IN ARKANSAS.
The Flood Swallows Up Mr.. Emerson's
Family-The Bodies of the Unfortu-
mates Found at Different Places
Around the Farmhouse.

LITTLE Rock, Ark, June 21.-Although
the loss OF life in the Conemaugh Valley
was much greater, the results Of that
dreadful disaster still fresh in the minds
CT those who have followed the newspaper
accounts OF the food, 1t has a sequel, the
facts Of which were given tonight to a
Gazette reporter by Capt. "Newt" Faulkin-
bury, the Deputy United States Marshal,
and more pitiful story is rarely heard OF,
occurring as 1t did, nearer home.
On his trip to Conway and Van Buren,
counties the other day he learned that
during the day heavy rain storm had
prevailed in that section, and at night an
old man named Emerson had the msfor-
tune to lose his wife and seven children in
a food.
AS near as he could learn, and the facts
are meager, there had been a tremendous
rain near Clinton, the county seat Of Van
Buren,, on the Upper Red River, and it
was near this place the distressful scene
took place.
Emerson, who is an old settler in Van
Buren County, was with his family in his
house at night, when the storm was rag.
ing and the rain pouring down in torrents.
After an hours rain the water gradually
raised to such hight that it flooded his
house, and, fearing danger inside, and
knowing that IL he remained In the
house no and his family would drown,
he gathered two Of his children in
his arms and made for the door to escape.
As the door opened a huge log ahoai
dashed in the entrance and knocked the
little ones from the mans arms. They
fell at his feet into the swift current and
were lost in the food. He then took up
two more, one in each arm, and succeeded
In getting out with them safely, telling
his wife to follow with the others, but, in
attempting to escape in the same manner,
the mother, with two children in her arms
and three clinging TO her dress, was carried
down by the flood and drowned. The
father and two children, the only ones left
in family of eleven, escaped with their
lives.
Tho night Yves dark and the father, with
his only two children, stood in water above
his waist clinging 10 a tree for several
hours, and when the water subsidized in the
morning a search was made and the dead
bodies OF the mother and seven children
were discovered scattered here and
there for considerable distance around the
place, the clothing having been caught in
underbrush and the bodies held fast in
that way. Two OF the bodies were found
in the garden lot. a short distance from
the house, to where they had been carried
10y the force OF the water. and others as
far as fifty yards from the house.
Capt Faulkinbury saw a neighbor last
Wednesday who said he had assisted in
burying the ill-fated family the next day.
lie was told that II was the heaviest storm
that has ever visited that section Of the
State, describing II rs water spout,
and although il listed only a short while
Il worked a loss Of life and property
that cannot be easily estimated. The
home OF Mr.. Emerson Is a total wreck,
II Is said. aud he is almost distracted with
grief
Further than this, Capt Faulkiuburl
could learn nothing definite, except thai
the loss Of live stock and damage 10 prop
crty was great