The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-04-14

blackpess OF night spread over all. ard
with the sullen roar Of the murEy waters;
was mingled the cries Of affrightened
women and children vino were hnddled IN
the upper stories and on the roofs OF the
houses, which withstood the rush OF waters.
The break came without warning and
caught the people unawares.
After a few minutes the horror Of the
situation was added to by the catching fire.
OF large house that had started down
stream with the others.
The people on the roofs were already IN
danger OF being thrown of by collision with;
other floating houses. but the appearancel
Of this floating firebraud added horrors.
As 1t struck one nouse after another IN
Its zig gag course some caught fire, and
their unfortunate occupants were COM
pelied to trust themselves to the mercy OF
the swerving waters on pieces OF wood to
avoid more terrible death by fire.
The scene In the streets at the upper end
OF the town, where men and women were /,
struggling against the mud and water to
higher grounds, some carrying babies on
their heads whore water was up to their
Decks. others half swimming, haif floating
on odds and ends OF lumber from homes;
that had gone floating down the river,
many struggling In vain and sinking In
the roaring waters, was one that will live
in the memory OF every behslder.
At one place mother hal reached a sale
spot and turned TO help her husband, who
had followed with their child. As she
reached down fom a window for his hand
he was thrown from his footing and he and;
the child were swept away In the ziz-zag
current. The woman saw him sink the
second time and then threw herself into
the water.
Another .amily padded half way to safe
ty on board plank that but half held
them out OF the water. side current
caught them and sent them out toward the
riddle OF the stream, where in the rougher
water they were seen to capsize and sink.
Mayor NJ. L. Carney has made An appeal
for money and clothing. Tho relief work
Ia progressing with wonderful quickness.
Four hundred sufferers hare been removed
to Mount Vernon, where more comfortable
quarters can be furnished them.
RescuerS who have traversed the water
bound city in skiffs agree that fully 200
houses were swept away. The number IT,
cludes only substantial structures; chiefly
dwellings. Only the top Of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad station can be seen. The
| remainder OF the structure is completely
submerged. The people residing in the
south end Of the city, opposite where the
break in the levee occurred, had about
thirty minutes in which to fee.
The watchers ou the levee who saw 1t
| burst say that they were over the spot
| where the water came q few moments be-
fore the catastrophe, and it then appeared
| rs strong as ever. All at once q section
| ten feet wide rose straight up, ana stream
OF water twelve feet deep leaDed through
| the break.
The latest news from Shawneetown
shows that the death list will not exceed 100,
and may not run over fifty. The lighting
| plant was destroyed, and in the flickering
gaze Of lanterns and electric lights from
the steamers the search in the town for
bodies was made. 1t is little short OF Il
miracle that the loss OF life was no.
| greater