Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-03-05
DROWNING ACCIDENTS.
LIVES LOST IN THE RE-
CENT FLOODS.
People Mt West Milton Driven From Their
Homes by an loo Jam-some Live
stocl Drowned-Thousand of
People Idle.

Milton, VT, March Zone of the worst
floods that has ever occurred IN late years
in this river has struck the people at
West Milton. The ice has damned up
and formed jam near whatis known as
the Higley Rocks, setting the water
back till nearly every house is surrounded
with water and every cellar Is full. The
road from the foot of what Is known as
tho river hill to Alison Herricks is piled
full of ice from four to six fe5t HIGH the
current of the river running in the road,
turning in above the bridge and running
down the road between the house and
barn of Alison Herrick, and turning back
below his farm.
1t was feared at one time Sunday that
the covered bridge must go there IVES such
q pressure of ice on it from above, but the
danger Of that seems to DE passed al
though the water is running only 10 or IL
inches below the floor of the bridge now.
The families of George Granger, Peter
Costello, Charles Wright, David Bullock,
Charles Ladeaux and Alison Herrick were
taken TO place of safety Sunday when
the water first came up. Nothing has
been seen of Mrs. Arthur Allen, who lives
alone in house which STANDS on a little
higher ground, but which is entirely sur
rounded with water, but it is hoped she
is all right.
Probably tho one who suffers the most
is Alison Herrick, who has already lost
four cows. and his colts, which were in a
yard at a lower barn. The last time he
was able to get to them they were stand
ing nearly up to their backs in the water.
r. s. Lincoln thinks also that his sheep
are nearly all drowned.
Mr.. Herrlck and his man had quite a
narrow escape as they were trying to
get from the house TO the barn. The cur
rent was so strong IL capsized the boat.
Mr.. Herrick and the man managed to
seize hold OF wire fence while the boat
went down and they crawled along till
they reached the corn-house door.
The water was not as high at the viii
lage as it was last fall, but the cellars OF
John McGee. o. Mosse, and others are
filled with water and there is. an i'm
mense Jam of ice at the head Of the island
White tho ice Is not yet broken up on the
west side OF the island the current of the
river is running in the narrow passage on
the east side
At East Georgia an ice jam formed and
there is serious danger that the out
buildings of Homer Reynolds may be car
ried away.
TWO YOUNG MEN DROWNED.
Fair Haven, March "A sad drowning
accident occurred at "Sciota," four miles
below this town about 2 o'clock yesterday
afternoon. resulting in the death of two
young men, both of whom are well known
here.
About / 30 o'clock Walter and William
| Rosseau started with a team with the
| intention of crossing Castleton river neal
what Is known as "Sciota." When the
young men were half way through the
overflowed section of the road the force
of the water upset the buggy and thu
occupants were thrown into the current
Edwin O'Rouk saw the accident. but be
fore he could give assistance the yount
W. lNr
selves from the buggy and finally reaches
| shore.