The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-09-30

an 1I-year-old boy during the scene of de-
vastation and death.
But a short distance from Bays Noun
tain. Tenn. where the counties OF sum
van. Washington. Hawkins and Greene
corner. and upon the side of a mountain
known as Sandstone ridge. nestled the
humble home OF the Comptons. The mouse
was a two-story log structure ana the
family consisted of Roe Compton ms
aged mother. Charity Compton. ms wlIe
Frances and nine children, the two eldest
of whom were daughters, aged about Is
and 20 years.
A short distance below the house in
front was a branch. which during the dry
season went perfectly dry. but during ek-
cessive rainy spells became a raging cat
aract.
During the night members of the fam
ily were awakened by the fury or the
tempest. The thunder roared incessantly'
and the vivid flashes Of lightning shot IN
at the partly screened windows OF the
house and lighted up the interior almost
as light as day.
Down in the ravlne I'm front or the
house the waters began To rise rapidly.
They seemed to come down from the
mountain sides and the valley In perfect
waves. and seethed and surged in their
fury. The water was up to within n re"
feet OF the house. when far up on the
mountain side, in the hear OF the dwelling,
a huge boulder. which possibly had been
anchored there for centuries. left It's
moorings and came crashing down the
mountain side. Here IL would strike a tree
and uproot Il: there II would strike an
other rock and start IL rolling, and to-
gcther they swept down the incline. gath
ering strength. velocity and additional de-
structive elements in the onward sweep of
death and devastation.
This ~death-dealing mass Of debris
struck that end Of the building occupied
by the husband, his aged mother and two
eldest daughters. Together with the huge
logs that went into the erection of the
building, they were swept into the seeth-
ing torrent of water In front of the house
and were either killed by the falling tim
hers or were drowned outright. When
the bodies of these four unfortunate per-
sons were found the next day, miles be-
low where their home had stood, they
were mangled almost beyond recognition.
The mother and seven little ones. who
occupied the other end Of the building,
Jared better. but went through an eXpe-
rience of terrihleness that but few OF
mankind are called upon TO endure. This
part OF the house was entirely wrecked
also.
When Jimmy Compton. aged II. was
thrown roughly from his bed and awak-
cned by the falling timbers he did not be-
sin 10 cry, as 90 out OF every 100 boys
would have done. He began TO act at
once. With nothing on but his night.
clothes. almost drowned by the torrent Of
r8iu that was falling. with the thunder
roaring and the lightning flashing. and
amid a scene that would strike terror To
tae hearts ~ the stoutcst men, little Jim
my began the rescue of his little brothers
and sisters. He could hear the wailing of
the little ones above the roar OF the tenn
pest During the flashes OF lightning Hc
rescued them. quieted their fears with a
gentle voice and led them to the barn and
during the interim between the roars Of
thunder Jimmy heard the voice Of his
mother as II IN distress. Instantly he
again ventured ont into the fury Of the
tempest 20 'ook for his mother.
"Where are you, mammaP' Jimmy
shrieked. but the roar OF the thunder
drowned his voice and there was no an
Finally. after searching a considera-
time. he heard a moan and during the
.lightning's fash he discovered his mother,
who was lying with a heavy log across
h-eas Jimmy took hold OF the piece
Of timber and tried 20 move IL; but his
strength was not sufficient.
BE patient. mamma; Jim will get you
he spoke a~ssuringly. With a brave
heart and a steady nerve, almost naked.
with the rain pelting him and the light
ming flashing and the thunder roaring, he
and worked manfully. but the log
would not move. During his struggles TO
release his mother. he spoke encouraging
and, like the brave little man he was.
aid all in his power to quiet her fears.
II under one end of the log and
summoning all his childish strength. he
the beam of her form and assisted
her TO the barn.-Chattanooga Times.
HARD ON SANTA cPIIZ