The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-31

Atlanta, Dec. 30.-The torrential rains of the past two days in Georgia, Ala bama and East Tennessee and portions of North Carolina, caused the death of four persons as far as known and inflicted serious damage to ali kinds of property. The rains have been followed by etears ing and much colder weather, aeconSy 1 panied by high winds.
 l The Weather Bureau announced today Isthat the Chattahooche River would cbn- tffte to rise below 0aAdals during the next thirty-six hours and 1t is feared much damage will result. Warnings to this effect were this morning sent to all points likely to be effected. Ratnfalis from five to seven inches were reported from several points for the two days.
 Three people were drowned at West Point, Ga, while attempting to cross the turbulent Chattahoochee. The situation at West Point is reported serious. Thou sands of dollars worth of property has been destroyed and there Is much suf- fering. Ali day Sunday the merchants worked to save their stocks and removed them from their flooded stores to places of safety. At o'clock this morning the water in the streets of West Point was from one to five feet deep. The removal of goods were first made in buggies and other vehicles but as the water rose boats were used and rafts were constructed as
  people spent the night in historic Fort Tyler
 Two bridges on a creek about mile above West Point were washed away The Atlanta and West Point bridge is still standing and is believed to be safe. The City Council held a special meeting last night and took measures to provide for the homeless and sufkerings.
 No trains have been sent though from Atlanta to Montgomery over the Atlanta and West Point road since Saturday and the Southern Railways New York and New Orleans limited last night was sent around by Birmingham and Meridian
 None of the north-bound trains of this system were held up to that time as they managed to get through before the wash outs occurred.
 A washout Is reported on the Southern between Asheville and Knoxville.
 At Columbus, Ga. the Chattahooche rose steadily all night and at 10 o'clock today the gauge registered thirty-eight feet. Parts of the mammoth dam of the Columbus Power Company in north Columbus have been swept away and ths water Is running through the machinery room of the Eagle and Phenix mills. The water Is within two feet of the Four teenth Street bridge and passage across 1t Is refused to team. If this structure IS carried away 1t may take with 1t the 
 houes of the Columbus Railroad Company was flooded early and the city was In darkness last night
 Nearly five inches of rain has fallen in the vicinity of Rome, Ga. A gir house and .thirty-five bales of cotton were washed away on the Ettawan River The Western and Atlantic track between Rome and Kingston is under water. Thii Is a branch. however, and does not inter. fere with traf1c on the main line be- tween Nashville and Atlanta.
 On the Geneva, Ala, branch of the Louisville and Nashville. 800 feet of track have been swept aawy near Rocky Greek and two washouts are reported on the main line of that road south of Mont. gomery.
 President wiekersham, at the head of a party of laborers. has been at the scene of the washouts on tine Atlanta and West Point since o'clock Sunday morn ing. He hopes to have the track in con- Ga, tomorrow morning
 Is being sent by way of Birmingham and Meridian, while Pensacola. which Is usually reached via Montgomery, is be- ing served through Jacksonville. The river at West Point began falling this afternoon. and all danger is believed to have passed
 No trains have been run over the East and West Railroad since Saturday, That companyss trestle over Etowah River near Cartersville, Ga, is covered and the track for four miles beyond Is under wa ter.