The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-01
LOSS OF LIFE AND GREAT DE-
STRUCTI0N OF PROPERTY.
DEVASTATING FLOODS
Sweep Over Sections of Tennessee,
Kentucky and Adjoining States.
The Rainfall Heavier Than I'm
Years-AIl Streams Greatly Swollen
Inundated-People Fleeing From
Their Dwellings-Damag Estimat-
ed by Hundreds OF Thousands Of
Dollars.

Nashville. Tenn, March 2s.-The
floods in Middle Tennessee, the greatest
known in many years. have resulted in
losses aggregating more than 100000
On the Nashville, Chattanooga, and st.
Louis and the Louisville and Nash
vile railroads, several brides have
been damaged. Cumberland, Elk
and Duck rivers and their tribu-
taries rose rapidly last night, the
rise at Nashville since yesterday morn
ing being % feet. This river is still
rising and reports come from various
towns on the upper river that the rag
ing waters have swept away number
of houses. There are reports of loss of
life at some places. but these have not
been confirmed.
The streams between Murfreesboro
and Belle Buckle. Tenn. advanced so
fast that occupants of many houses
were obliged to seek safety in the sec
ond stories of their homes until the
flood had receded. Much property at
Mount Pleasant. Sheibyville and Muir
freesboro was damaged. but definite
statements as to the amount can now
be given. Several hundred peoE-e at
Mount Pleasant were forced from their
homes by the flood. and took refuge in
the court house.
Three lives were lost in GILES county.
John Cole and his family. who resided
on Richland creek. near Pula ski, were
A.. ha nf TO
cape the rising water. The foundations
of the structure gave way and the fam
lily were thrown into the Hood. Mrs.
Cole and her two younger children were
| drowned. The remained of the family
escaped. The damage at Murfreesboro
and other portions of Rutherford coun-
ty is estimated. to be d half million dol
lars.
Middlesboro, KY. March 29-The
worst flood since 1890 swept over eastern
Kentucky and east Tennessee last night.
It rained fer three dayS and nights,
swelling Cumberland and Powell rivers
| beyond their banks. as we'll as all other
| streams. and before the farmers were
| aware of the danger the flood was on
| them Many were compelled to fee fol
| their lives. The Middlesboro valley was
| inundated and every store in the city
excepting three, had from ten to fif-
| teen inches Of water on their floors
| "Over the Rhine peopled by negroes
and poor whites, was flooded and deni-
Zens were compelled 10 flee at midnight
| Mingo Hollow is devastated, railroad
| trestles and bridges were washed away
McMinnville, Tenn. March 29.-The
! storm last night wrought great de-
| struction at McMinnvllie. Five factory
| employees whose names could not bt
learned. were drowned in the flood. The
| Annis cotton mills and the Tennessee
| woolen mill were greatly damaged. The
Falcon rolling mill was partially de
| stroyed. Practically all the cottage!
| and small buildings in the town were
| washed away
| Rome. Ga, March 2s.-TWo washout:
were reported today on the Atlantic di
| vision Of the southern railway neal
Silver creek. Great damage was done
to- farms by last nights trerIendou:
| rainfall
Columbus, Ga. March 29.-Severa
manufacturing establishments wer,
forced to close down today on accoun
, of the high water in the Chattahooche'
| river A washout is reported on th'
Southern railway near Oak Mountain
springs.
Russellville. Ala, March 30
cyclone passed through Darlington
four miles south Of Russellville, yester
day afternoon completely demoralizint
the Methodist and Baptist churches
unroofing Gieres' store, fitting VI
Daniels store, wrecking the depot am
| damaging a number OF Other buildings
The course Of the storm was south t
northwest, blowing down many negr'
cabins in its path.
Jellico Tenn, March 2s.-The heav
lest rainfall here since the town wa
founded eighteen years ago occurre'
yesterday afternoon and last night. Al
though the Clear Fork river is one mil
from Jellico back water from the rive
covers half this town today. Peopl
were driven from their homes durinl
the night and many houses were par
TALLY submerged. The damage will b
considerable
Chattanooga, Tenn, March 29.-Of
fetal bulletins today from food warn
ing stations on the Tennessee rive
show that the rainfall at Clinton wa
326 inches. bringing the river at tina
point one foot above the damage line
Charleston had a fall of 203 inche:
and rise of 7.S feet III the river
| On the Southern railway all train