The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-09-01


In W. r. Rcid's store, furthcst to
the right of the railroad going north
AWAY from the river--the water was
six feet deep, and in the brick store
it was about nine feet deep. Those
who know that section may have
some idea of the vast sheet Of water
when it is stated that it has backed
out to Irvin's gin house.
"Small boats were constructed and
the people Of that section have been
travelling in boats. Mcssrs. w. r.
Keith. Oscar Stevens and 4. Lamar
Dominick, were out in boat ycstcr-
day. After the river had gone down
about eight inches from the highest
point it reached, they rowcd their
boat to the top Of car box and tied
it to the brake iron on top. The
water was then about even with the
top edges Of the ear. 1t had COM
plctcly covered the car with the en-
ccption of about two inches along
the centre of the top.
None OF the stores at Chappclls
had been destroyed, though several
OF the less substantial structures
near the railroad had tilted
" AS matter Of course, it was inpos-
slblc to get in any Of the stores and
all business was entirely suspended.
Parts of the stocks of goods were
saved. but the loss was heavy. Goods
wcr" hauled until The mules hitchcd
to the wagons were forced to swim,
and then some goods wcrr hauled out
III boats. Mr.. Reid managed to cct
in his store Thursday afternoon in
boat.
Messrs. Leo Hamilton, w. X.
Keith and Irwin Chapman crossed the
river in boat on Thursday. Thcy
say that its width then was from a
mile to a mile and onc-fourth.
"Mr. Lamar Dominick WAS al O'd
Town Thursday afternoon, aud found
the water there twelve feet deep over
the railroad. The depot nad washed
away. The stores were tilted and had
been tied with ropes to keep them
from washing away. He rode from
Old Town up to where the old cut off
was drained some time ago. and he
says the water in the old cut off was
very deep, and that it had backed up
over some two hundred acres Of land.
Mr.. Dominica; was not able to get
close, Of course.
Mr.. Dominick also went to .J,hn-
s side track, which is about two
miles above Old Town. and which is
said TO be the highest point on the
Southern road between Old Town and
Chappells. Hc found the water there
above the coal cars which were stand
ing on the track.
"The platform at Chappclls was
built around tree. AS the water
rose the platform floated on top of
it, going up the tree. 1t remains on
top Of the water, held bv the tree"
Heavy Loss.
1t is impossible even yet to approx
innate the losses which have been
sustained by the planters and mer-
chants at Chappclls and Old Town,
and by the planters in that section
of the county. AS an instance of the
heavy losses along the river bottom,
Messrs. Purcell and Evans have lost
about $1,000 in crops on the Hagood
place, which is in Saluda county,
however. Mr.. Purcell says that fif-
teen mules on the place will make
about five bushels to the mule.
The merchants at Old Town and
Chappclls, Of course, sustained heavy
loses to their stocks Of goods.
Lower Steel Bridge Safe.
The lower steel bridge across the
Saluda, connecting Prosperity with
Saluda Court House. withstood the
waters. and is in very good shape. a
little work will be necessary to
some portions Of it, one
of the benches being a little out Of
plumb.
At Whitmire.
The destruction Of bridges and
damage to others near Whitmire has
already been reported in The Herald
and News, and mentioned in this ar
ticlc. The Scaboard Air Line has
suffered heavily in the vicinity Of
Whitmiro IFS troSt]r ovnr fho Ennrno