Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-06-02
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. TORRESr.
Portions OF the Place Submerged
Drouned-TerrIble Loss.
Especial telegram 70 tbs Dispatch.l

Especial tciegTaLa tno
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. Juno The terrific
and disastrous rain-s.orm which commenced
bore Thursday night about 10 o'clock aud con-
tiuued with unabated fury until midnight last
night was the fiercest and most destructive ever
witnessed. and last night the streets Wero flooded
and traffic ceased To add to the horrors the
city was in utter darkness. as the gas and elec-
tric-light works were entirely submerged. and
those who were forced ont 70 guard thor pro
perty had 10 use the utmost caution.
At2 o'clock yesterday evening Tho Rappshan
mock began 10 rise, and in short time soon
covered the island. and IL was then noticed that
the rapidly OF the rise Waa unprecedented and
little did those who retired esriy dream Of the
sorrow aud desoiati0n that would greet them
upon their Awakening this morning. The nrst
grave fears entertained were about midnight
then the water had risen 70 the height OF the
great foods Of 1856, 1877, and 1875.
BEGAN TO MOVE OUT.
Those lving near the river, and who had re-
tired, then began 10 move OuL Tor In many In
stances tho Hatsr had already entered their
Easements. Al 1870 tho raging torrent increased
It's fury and at 2:30 had carried away SCOTS
bridge from shore g shore.
MOVING N BOATS.
Atthis time all the lower part OF the city had
been inundated and people we're moving from
thoir houses in boats, the streets being covered
70 a depth OF three 20 i've feet, and small
houses were being born N ANY on Dy ln5 iutu-
ing waters 10 DO broken into pieces ~ they were
drawn into the rapid gulf Ara O'Clock the rise
was so heavy that grave fears for the business
portion OF the town were entertained.
ALAEMBELLs SOUNDED.
The nre-alarm bells were Their sounded and
the citizens rushed madly from their houses, ox-
pectlng TO see a blazing flame, and were utterly
aston ished when told why the alarm had beer
given Eager hearts and willing hands then be-
gan 10 clip the distressed. and soon every house
on Sophia street had been denuded OF lie con-
TENT. which we're carried 70 places OF safety. As
the hours wore on the turbulent waters kept
apaco with its record and a. 10 O'Clock today had
mum lated large number Of busiuess-houses
aud com > lstsly swept the lower portion Of the
city, including a large numter OF ANAL houses,
the warehouse, with large lot OF pefshADlo
merchandiso, and tho large DOathouse OF the
kappahann0ck Boat Club.
BECOMING SERIOUS.
Things At this time were indeed becoming Sc
rious, as the waters were rushing Oh 20 Main
street and tho number Of private and business
houses located on this street were almost entire
iy submerged All residents Of sophia street
had locked their doors and left their houses 70
the mercy Of the waters Business had almost
completely ceased. Up to this point no death
had occurred. aud the people we're con-
graduating themselves that no lives In
the city had boon lost. when the announcement
came which sent a shudder TO every heart and
brought n toAr 20 many an eye, shat our young
and popular towpsman, Mr.. Charles T. Hunter,
Jr., son Of c. r. Hunter. proprietor OF Farmers'
Friend Plow- Works, had been drowned from the
bridge crossing TO his fathers island. Upon In
vestigatiou tue news was found 10 be true, and
the circumstances we're as follows:
His father, who lives upon the Island, which Is
beautiful ana extensive cne, had been caught
on the island by tho rise, but the citizens
thought little Of il, as there was never case In
the history Of the town where the water had
reached the dwelling situated on the island,
which was formerly known as "Becks lslSId, "
and situated about mile from town. But the
unprecedented rise had flooded the house 70 the
second story, and as there was no Indication Tor
abatement number OF citizens, including
young Hunter and his wife. went up to see II
they could not get Mr.. Hunter and
mis- wife of. On arriving there Young
Hunter went OUT on the iron bridge, which
spans the river 10 the island, aud when was COW
cred with about two feet OF water, and was telling
his father he had bettor 90 % the barn, Tor II
was almost impossible Tor the wRtor 20 reach
him Lhere. some little conversation then follow
cd between the two. whom without moments
notice the entire bridge, with Hunter captive,
was swept away. On striking tho water young
Hunter grsspOd piece Of timber, but hnd-
ing it was taking him 20 tue rocks hs
let loose and caught another piece near
er tho shore, and taking on his hat
sprung from the timber and bad swan 70 with
ia twenty feet of the shore, when the current
turned him, throwing him upon a rocs aud
striking his head. Not movement or his body
WAS again visible and rs sank 10 rise no more In
full sight Of his wife, father mother, and several
friends.
PITPUL.
As he went down the heartrendlng cries OF
his young wife were Indeed pitiful. He was
twenty seven years OF ago and leaves wife and
two young chi drsn. The affair has cast gloom
far beyond tho loss OF property over tho entire
community. he Was beseeched by his VIE aud
friends not 10 make the venture. but did 80 De-
cause he could not hear OF his father on shore.
old Mr. Hunter and wife are still prisoners on
the lslaud. Hunters body had not been found
a. IL o'clock
BRIDGE SWEPT AWAY
The magnificent iron bridge crossing the river
az Falmouth was swept away, save one span on
tho abutmOnt which marks tho spot Of tEia 50, :
coo structure. All day houses. dsbrt3 or all
kinds dead cattle. roofs OF houses, aud other ar
uc,es have been passing down ihe river. which
indicates an immense loss above
About 1870 tod ay two large spans OF bridge,
said to be tho Rapidan. also passed down.
Nearly the cnifro city has been Inundated.
aud tho loss TO properly Is considerable. Streets
IN the lower and upper parts OF the city are sub
merged, and are nayigable by large yawls.
The Immense food has Dsaa watched the entire
mainly "isn't IL horribe;" "lm 80 sorryi'
"what win No dof" and other like exclama-
tons
No SLEEP.
The citizens living on sophs street did not
sleep q wink last night Tor fear OF being carried
away BY the raging torrents
The river commenced 70 recedo but very slow
~ o. go This evening and tae citizans are nov