The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-03-06
THE FLOOD AT CHARLESTON.
Hon. George ". Laisliey Writes Ens
tertainingIy Of its Scenes and
Incidents.

CHARLESTON. w. Va, Feb. PA
commenced to write an article for your
paper several days ago but the food
disarranged things that in moving up
out of the ofl0ded district lost the
manuscript. moved out OF the house
where had been Monday evening and
during the night the water came into
the room p feet. / am now located 5
feet above the high water mark. Two
thirds of this city is under water on
the first floors and surrounding the
houses. Some houses are under the
second floor. The people who had 90
leave their houses are quartered in the
capitol, in the school houses and in
the cars which were brought here
for that purpose. The city is feeding
these people at these different points
and will have to do so for several days.
To-day 20 or 30 skiffs and boats are
bringing people to the State House as
there is water sufficient to run a
boat tip to the steps of the building
and the water is so deep that hacks
can no longer pass the streets around
the capitol; by boat is the only way of
getting to or from the capitol.
To-day the water which yesterday
was Al feet in the Kanawha and over
two-t thirds of the city has receded so
there is but little water in the streets
and they are drying up rapidly. But
few houses were moved from their
foundations. A large number Of small
buildings, out-houses, were over
turned and some taken away. The
loss will be heavy but not so much as
at first supposed. To-day you can see
from the dome of the capitol bedding
and clothes everywhere out drying in
the sun. This beautiful day is great
blessing to these people If 1t had been
cold and stormy they would hardly
have been able to dry their wet clothes.
DR.. Goodnight, DR.. Fitch, Prof. A.
L. Wade and A. G. Wood are here. 1t
looks something like home to see
these men all around the Ruffner in
the evening. Since the high waters
we could not get to the capitol so we
loaf at the hotels. / will send you
sketches of few of the Democratic
members Of the House. Delegate A.
G. Kenna, of Calhoun, is one Of the
most active members of the minority
side of the House. He made himself
very active in the fight against the
new Augusta and put up some of the
best arguments that were made in be-
half of its opponents. He is good
parliamentarian and an aggressive
worker. Mr.. Kenna is one of the
prominent lawyers of the State. He
received the degree L. L. M. from the
Georgetown University. He is de-
scendent OF Charles Carroll, Of Carroll
ton, one Of the signers Of the Declare
tion of Independence. Mr.. Kenna is
a member of the commission who are
appointed to revise the constitution
and will be one of it's most active
members.
Judge George A. Umstead is about
IS years old but is well preserved In
body and mind. He is native OF
Belmont county, Ohio, received his
education in common schools and in
GAINESVILLE Academy. Mr.. Umstead
read law and practiced in the State
and United States courts while in
Ohio. Also held several official posi-.
lions in that state.
Moved to New Maruinsyille in 1880
and is engaged in the practice of law;
is a member of the bar association and
is now representing the delegate dis
trict of Tyler and Wetzel counties in
the House of Delegates. The Judge
was opposed to the formation of Au-
gusta county. He presented the con-
stitional and legal objections in clear
and forcible manner. The judge is So
ciable yet dlgniiled in his manner.