The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-07-29
TOxaway Dam.

The Toxaway dam has received much at
tention from various persons. and many
newspapers have given expression to their
fears, and the remarks of Col. Orr seem to be
going the rounds OF the press. The Colonel's
statement OF facts Is contained in these
words:
"The Toxaway dam is q miles In circum.
ference. In many places the water Is fifty
feet Deep"
He then describes the fearful loss of proper.
ty that would follow, If this water should
break the dam and get away. Even the city
OF Augusta would be flooded.
We admit that damage would be done II the
Toxaway dam should break. 1t is also pro-
bsble that damage would be done II the State
House in Columbia should COLLAPSE. And II
the Warrington monument in the city OF
Washington should topple over 1t would like
ly crush any stray Congressman that didn't
"stand from under"
But right here in Abbeville very serious
terror oonfropts us, and we need not bother
ourselves about Toxaway. The Toxaway
dam, and the railroad fill at Abbeville are
very much alike In 30 far as danger to the
city OF Augusta is con oerned..
We could not picture the damage that
might be done by back water above and flood
below the fill If the opening should be
stopped in the embsnkment which crosses
the little creek at Abbeville. The water
II 30 stopped In time OF rain would ruin
Cosby town, and make unsafe seagoing
crafts Of the shacks that make that classic
neighborhood part Of the city. II the rail-
road fill should be washed away, General
Hemphill's COWS that might be browsing
on clover would be drowned, and DR..
MarshalPs corn patch would be injured. The
fate OF his little pet pecan scions would
be too terrible to contemplate. The COWS in
Mr.. Visanska's pasture would be drowned by
aokwstet, and the cattle belonging to Mr.. J..
G. Hamilton, which escaped the recent rail.
road smash up might be washed away, II they
didn't sourry of TO higher and dryer land.
And then Mr.. George T. Wilson's fine corn
might be injured on the low lands through
which this released water would flow. It
would be. we'll for Mr.. Fleming and MI. .Hagan
II they would drive mp their cattle and lock
them In their BARNS the next time 1t rains.
Before water could run over our high rail.
road Ill 1t would have to rise thirty feet.
Just think OF water rising thirty feet at
the I'LL. and imagine. If you can, all the
houses in Cosby town floating around like
ducks on pond, with piccanin MES crawling
ont of the roofs through the chimney holes,
while all sorts OF negroes were padding
around on loose planks. Wouldn't scene
like that jar you?
And such q scene is not impossible. Sup.
pose. for instance, some mischievous boy
should put his hat over the hole through
which the water now passes under the NIL; or
suppose some thoughtless girl should Put q
pillow and baby carriage over the mouth OF
the hole. When the results were computed
Noah's food would dwindle into insignia.
canoe. And suppose that the lightning at the
same time should strike the tank Of the oil
mill and release. the imprisoned water. In
that case. what would become Of the South
ern depot and Mr.. Brown? We shut our
eyes and refuse to view the scene.
We are uneasy about the dam at Portman
Shoals. It should be strength at once.