The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-06-04
The Bakersvllle Flood.

To the Editor Tongue and pen are in
adequate to describe, and heart and mind
are unable to conceive what we wit
messed here when we saw the power of
God manifested through His natural
laws in the way of destructive flood
which has destroyed a large portion of
our beautiful town Bakersville, N. G.
After several days rain at intervals
the rain fell all night on the 10th of May,
and it continued to pour in torrents the
greater part of the 21st. In the morning
of the 2tst Cane Creek, which runs
through the town, rose slowly about two
hours. Then the sheets Of water began
to leak through the narrow passage be-
tween the hills Then there was no more
gradual spreading of water, but mighty
repeated rushes. from two to three feet
deep, sweeping their way in sluices, seven
and eight feet deep, in certain places,
came bursting down and through closed
doors into and through windows and
houses. A few minutes more and the
houses began to yield to the powerful
hydraulic force of the water.
1t was a fearful scene. as we who had
escaped to elevated places by wading out
through water three and four feet deep,
looked upon the face of the angry and
APPARENTLY little ocean, and saw it verita-
bly, dotted with demolished dwellings. al
most numberless amount of beds.
trunks, organs, bureaus, out houses, and
even hogs, cats, chickens. &c. In fact,
almost every thing pertaining to house
keeping.
Never while the power of memory per-
forms it's proper functions can the awful
picture be erased from our minds.
Many people saw their earnings,
of hard and honest toll for many years,
swept away in few minutes The cries
OF the homeless ,victfms-among them
many little children-of the terrible dis
| aster, who had ESCAPED with the most
| inferior clothing they had, were enough
| to melt the most stony heart.
! In this town twenty four houses were
| demolished-sixteen Of them, including
| the Baptist church, were entirely swept
away.
| Nearly all the people who lived within
| direct force of the current, escaped be-
| fore the buildings began to fall.
Two parties unconscious of the ap-
| preaching danger, remained in their
| houses too long.
| One of the parties was a oolored man
| and his son. who were drowned
i The other party was white man and
| his wife, who remained in their home till
| the water surrounded them. and they
were unable to escape. Soon half of their
brick house fell BY strenuous efforts
they climbed upon the roof of the house.
The horror was indiscribable when we
! saw them sitting on the roof calling for
help, and no one could reach thcr1 The
rain was still pouring down After about
| three awful hours of mental agony The
rain began to cease, the water to abate
and hope came.
AS soon as possible two heroic young
men rode into or near the wrecked build
/ ing and brought them out on horse back.
The loss in this-Mitchell county-ls
| estimated to be one million dollars. As
| one of the victims / am quite sure
| voice the sentiment of the others--over
one hundred--in expressing our heart felt
| gratitude to the propretors of the hotels
| and private families who have opened
! their doors and extended such unlimited
/ kindness to US who were rendered home
| less and helpless.
Should the eyes of some generous heart
! fall upon this limited sketch of our un-
fortunate people, and that one wish, to
assist in giving relief, he or she can
send donation that will be highly APP
preciated. to the reception committee OF
our town, which consists Of the three
pastors here-Rev. L. Fl. Green of the
| Baptist church, Rev. Lee Huddleston,
| M. E. church, Rev. j. d. Carpenter, M.
| E. church, South.
This committee with competent assist
ants, will see that it goes for the benefit
of those who are in great need.
j. ID. CARPENTER