The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-29
Completely Surrounded for Six
Hours, Little Cottage Vas
lettering TO the Tide
CHIEF BENEFITS FIREMEN
RUSH TO THE RESCUE
Three Men, Three Women and Little
Child Suffer From Heavy Rain.
One Thousand People Com
pletely Helpless.

Had 1t not been witnessed by the eyes
of at least a thousand people, the danger
that encompassed the family of J. W.
Fitzpatrick, formerly police captain OF
Birmingham, and the Caring and success
full rescue would read like a chapter of
fiction. AS 1t was the human battle
against swollen ard brawling stream,
recall the stories Of the famous Jamestown
flood in Pennsylvania.
1nasmuch as 1t happened in Birming-
ham, an inland town, the occurrence is the
more remarkable. Village creek, due TO
the tremendous rains that fell during yes
terday, grew to twice its natural size,
md for miles and miles down its course
swept away bridges, and carried ruin In
its path. The home of ]. w. Fitzpatrick.
situated at the northern extremity OF
birmingham, on Copeland avenue and
Twentieth street, was completely sur
rounded by water and when the fierce
current swept the bridge away, the only
avenue of escape was gone. From noon
until 6 o'clock yesterday the family We're
at the mercy of the rapidly rising waters,
! and when the members were finally res
/ cued the stream was running through the
house at a depth of eighteen inches.
i During last night, water continued to
rise, and at late hour negroes living
near testified that the flood had reached
the windows. Had rescue not come when
it did, 1t is probable the entire family
would have been drowned.
Miles of Water.
The swollen water of the creek was
some hundred yards wide, and down the
stream hoated trees, carcasses of dead
animals, planks and debris in general
The Fitzpatrick home is situated just to
the far side of Village creek, and Is conr
neeted with Copeland avenue by bridge
of rails. When at noon yesterday the
family noticed the water rising, no APP
prehension was felt, until with crash
the bridge was swept from its place, ana
| all escape was cut off, The house was
then in a sea, as 1t were completely sur
rounded by water Firm ground was at
least fifty feet from either side, and thu
water between was of a depth varying
from five to twenty feet,
In the house were former Police Cap
tain j. W. Fitzpatrick, his wife and little
son, the latter being about years OF
age; Hugh Williams and Mrs. Williams
son and daughter of Mr. Fitzpatrick
Homer williams and Laura Stringer,
| cook
From the time that the water carried
the bridge away. the occupants OF the
house were left completely to the mercy
| of the raging stream until about oc.ock
| when a passerby noted the situation, He
| hurried to Birmingham, and there gave
the information to b. A. Pepperman, Sec
rotary to Mayor Ward, Mr.. Pepperman
with a representative of The Age-Her-
aid, drove rapidly to the scene, and there
the danger was instantly noted The
Mayors secretary returned to the city as
rapidly as possible and notified Chief
Wier of the police department, and chief
Bennett of the fire department Both
these officials acted promptly. Chief Wier
went Immediately to the scene OF dan
ger and there awaited the arrival of the
fire department.
Continued Rain.
In the meantime, the rain was eontinu-
ing with undated fury. The water was
rising rapidly and grave fears were en-
tertained for the women of the family III
jeopardy. Just as dark was falling, chlet
Bennett drove up and with him was
truck of the department bearing poat'
The boat was the property OF the Coun-
try club, and had been borrowed from
that institution. At this time, the water
was sweeping through the house at a
depth of eighteen inches. The boat was
Immediately launched, and negro, Joe
Johnston. attempted to cross. The first
effort was a failure, and had the Vessei
not been pulled back by rope 10 lana
Il would have captsised. However inc
repro was determined in his efforts, and
again he hattled with the swollen waters
and rapid current. On the second trial.
he landed safely, and anchored on the
porch of the fitzpatrick house. he brought
n land Laura Stringer the COOK ana
Homer Williams. On the next trip came
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Williams. On the
third trim Johnston rescued Captain XII
natr,ok and his little son, and on the
fourth trip, Mrs. Fitzpatrick the last
inmate, was safely landed on the shore'
Thousand People Gather.
In spite Of the fact that the lamentabie
condition of the family was not noticed
from noon until several hours later when
the news did get abroad, 1t spread IKE
wild fire. When the chief of police arrived
on the scene, some 300 people had gather
ed. totally obllvlous of the drenching ram
and when the boat by means of which
the rescue was effected, reached the scene
fully 1000 people, men. women and emil
dren. of both races. were standing along
the banks. with eyes bent upon the wa
ters. and the little cottage.
Joe Johnston, the negro who volunteered
his services to row the boat across the
water to the rescne. of the family, was
cheered throughout his perious passage
| and whenever n skillful sweep of the
paddle saved him from capsizing he was
rewarded by cheer that could have
| been heard for miles around.
When the Fitzpatrick family was gath
cred safely on the banks of the stream.
| hundreds of people rushed forth to con-
graduate them on their escape, and just
as many homes were thrown open for the
| night
While the entire family escaped with
their lives. all of the furniture of the
] house. all of the clothing was totally