The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-05-15

Jacksonville, Fla, May 13.-The rain
which had been falling incessantly all
dey yesterday and all last night assum-
ed this morning about daybreak almost
the proportions of a cloud burst and
when the citizens prepared to leave for
their places of business many of them
found their homes completely surround
ed by water.
But these were not the unfortunates.
Many were driven from their residences
or forced TO go to the upper stories by
the water that in some cases reached
the level of the first story windows.
AS much as one square mile Of the
town was under water. Fully half mile
of Bay street the principal thorough
fare of the city was under water and
much damage was done TO stocks of
goods. On this street a mule hltched
to a wagon got beyond its depth and
was drowned and the driver attempting
to cut it from the vehicle nearly lost
his life. Skiffs and later in the day a
naphtha launch We're plying on Bay
street, removing people from their sub
merged homes.
The water was two feet deep in the
waiting room of the Union depot and
every railroad track entering the city
was under water. One train each over
the East Coast Line and Atlantic Coast
Line came into Jacksonville in the
morning and one each over these two
roads and the SeabOard Air Line and
East Coast Line departed at night.
The damage to the railroads in and
near the city is considerable. but it is
believed that it will be repaired by
morning and that trains will make their
regular schedule tomorrow. The rain
in It's intensity seemed to be local and
the railroads are not damaged except
in or near the city
The city is in total darkness tonight
The water was a foot deep in the cleo
trio light power house and stopped the
dynamo. The damage to the electric
light plant which belongs TO the city
is estimated Il s., 900. 1t will take prob
ably $4,000 to put the streets and
bridges in repair.
The railroads suffered losses probably
amounting to 100000. The losses of in
dividuaIs cannot be accurately esti-
mated. Many bridges in the county
were washed away. The total loss will
probably not be less than 100000.
In addition to this it is feared that
Bridge street viaduct, which cost $780,
900 has been made dangerous by the
flood. The water of McCOy'S creek was
all day rushing under il in 4 broad and
rapid stream and it is feared that the
supports of the bridge have been Sc
weakened that it will be unsafe. How
ever. it was seen to have been replaced
by a new one. Ropes We're stretched
across the ciaduct to keep the crowd off
Whether it will weaken seriously car
only be determined. after the waters
SubSide
Five houses were overturned or de-
mOiished near the banks OF HOgau'i
creek in the negro part OF the city. They
were all small. The foundations o
many others in the same locality wer,
undermined and they were rem
dered uninhabitable. \ number Of he
gro families were rendered homeless.
The flood was caused by the heavy
dOwnpOur in Jacksonville and a few
small creeks flow into the river from
the northwest in the limits of Jackson
Vile but they spread over i great por
ton of the city. The total rainfall fol
the Jwenty-four hours ending At 5 a
m SmOunted TO Sal inches.