davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26
HEAVIEST RAIN SINCE 1s4e
Spartanburg Cotton Suffers Greatly
City without Gas or Electricity,

Spartanburg. Aug. 25.-The heaviest
rain since the August freshet, about
SO years ago. has been falling for the
last two days. From Sunday morning
at O'Clock to o'clock today about
eight inches have fallen. No cotton
mills have been damaged up to this
hour. Those run by water power had
to suspend today on account of high
water. A part Of the wheel house al
Valley Falls was damaged. The res
ervoir Of the water works broke about
o'clock and the gas house was food
ed. x VIII De several days before they
can s.art Up again. The road from
Charlotte to Atlanta is still open. 1t
* reported that train was caught
between the washouts near Saluda to-
day.
The loss to the cotton crop is esti-
mated at rs to so per cent The city
Is without gas and electricity. 1t will
eb several days before the gas factory
Is put In good condition. The limo
types In the newspaper offices are all
stopped. The electricity was cut
on at o'clock. The trouble is ut the
dam at CASTOR Shoals. The river is
higher there than it has been for
years. 1t is not known in the Office
mere what the damage Is or when the
power can be turned on again. The
old power plant was knocked out to-
day by the high water. lit may be a
WEEK before that can start up.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26
THE END OF THE FLOOD.
Section Director Bauer Says Worst
is Over.

Columbia, Aug. 27-Mr. J. w.
Bauer, director of the Columbia sta
ton, United States weather bureau,
declares that the end of the greatest
flood in the history Of South Carolina
is in sight. He said:
'The unprecedented rains Of Mon
day and Tuesday were caused by the
barametric depression which developed,
over Alabama and western Georgia,
remaining practically stationary for 4S
hours, then moving slowly toward the
Atlantic coast. AS usual, the attend
ant rain area formed on the northeast
quadron, which, in this case, covered
north Georgia and the Carolinas, ex-
tending northward to Virginia and
Maryland, with continuous rains over
those regions. This depression will
pass on to the Atlantic during tonight
and will be followed by fair and much
cooler weather, marking the begin
ming of the end of the flood"
At 8 o'clock last night. when the
Congaree at Columbia registered 90
feet, Mr.. Bauer said that it would
probabaly reach SO feet or more by
morning and then begin gradually to
recede.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26

Max. Aug 25.-A number of farm.
ers are having cotton picked.
Mr.. Ralph Woods is making his
annual rounds with his thrashing ma.
chine
Mr.. and Mrs. Mrs. VIM. Whitehead
sr.. of Lake City, visited at Mr.. H. X
Moore's recently.
Mrs. j. L. Moore and Miss Eva
Moore visited friends In Clarendon
last week.
Miss Martha Hicks, of Hartsville
visited relatives here Sunday.
Mrs. J. A. NJ. Carraway enjoyed the
company Of Mrs. NJ. z. Truluck las,
Saturday.
Mr.. and Mrs. J. d. Kinds, Mrs. /
NJ. Truluck and Miss Mozelle TrG.uck
spenday Monday at Mr.. j. A. NJ
Carraway's.
Miss Annie Truluck is at G,enr
Springs.
John Hickson and Caroline Shields
colored. who were married last Sun.
day. have the best wishes OF a numbe,
Of their white friends.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26
FLOOD BULLETIN ISSUED.
Weather Bureau Predicts Continuance
OF High Water-Savannah River
Will Rise Still More.

Washington, Aug. 26.-The weather
bureau at 10 o'clock issued the follow
ing flood bulletin:
THE heavy rains that have fallen
continuously since Sunday over the
Carolinas and Eastern Georgia have
caused widespread floods Of the most
dangerous and destructive character.
The Savannah river at Augusta will
likely reach a stage of 38 feet, or six
feet above flood stage, by midnight
Wednesday, and there is grave prob
ability that the entire city will be
flooded. Telegraphic communication
with the outside world has been cut
off and no reports have been received
since Wednesday morning. :.
'The Catawba river of North Caro-
lima and the Wateree and Pee Dee
rivers Of South Carolina have ex-
ceeded all previous stages by several
feet, while eastern North Carolina re-
ports in iicate the greatest flood ever
known in that section. The rainfall
was particularly heavy in the vicinity
Of Raleigh, n. c., where the total fall
since Sunday was exactly 10 inches.
The losses and damage are enormous.
Railroads have annulled trains,
bridges having been washed away.
roads rendered impossible and large
areas Of crops destroyed. The Oco-
nee and Ocmulgee rivers of Georgia
are also above food stage and high
water will be experienced in the Alta
maha river during much of Septem-
ber." -,
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26
RAILROAD TAX ON SOUTH.
Increased Freight Rates VIII Cost
South Carolina $500. 900 Annually.

Charleston, Aug. 2O.-The raise of
freight rates by the railroads on
meats, flour in sacks, and grain. on
shipments east of the Mississippi and
south Of the Ohio river effective from
August 1, will cost Charleston about
$4,000 year. and the State of South
Carolina about 100000, and yet
there seems to be little or no indica-
ton Of resistance on the part of the
wholesale men of this city or of
the State against this action by the
railroads
The advance is about cents a hum
dred on meats and cents on flour,
which counts up rather substantially
In the course of a years business.
Georgia, through Macon wholesalers,
VIII make a test case of the situation
at Washington on September Is, and
men in Charleston interested in the
business of the city are looking for
some action on the part of large ship
pers here. This action has not yet
taken shape.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26

Atlanta. Aug 27.-With the water
rushing through Broad street breast
deep in a current so strong that it is
impossible for man to wade through,
Augusta is being swept by q flood
that has not been surpassed in its
history. From four to six feet Of wa
ter is the gauge on the principal
streets of the town. On Broad street,
the main business thoroughfare Of the
city, where are located nearly all of
the public buildings, together with the
principal business houses and banks,
the flood is playing havoc with first
floors and easements.
The city is without lights. fire or
police protection, efforts in these lines
being met with inability Of these diff
ferent departments to cope with the
situation.
Fires started tonight in the cotton
warehouse of Nixon & Danforth and
in the warehouse Of the Nixon Whole
sale Grocery company. 1t is said the
fires were caused by water reaching
lime stored in one of the warehouses
which exploded. The fire department
was unable to render any assistance
on account of the high water.
Two white people and one negro
have been reported drowned. It was
also reported that a boat containing
family of husband. wife and two
children was capsized and the whole
party drowned, but this could not be
confirmed.
A conservative estimate of the dam
age by flood and fire at this time has
been placed at a half million dollars.
put 1t Is believed that this sum will be
greatly exceeded before the flood wa
ters subside.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26
$4,000 Damage ut Athens.

Athens, Ca, Aug. 25.-EStimated
damage Of $4,000 in this city has
been done by almost continuous rains
that fell from II o'clock Sunday night
until o'clock this afternoon. Over
twelve inches Of rain was recorded.
Bridges have been washed away and
others are tottering.
Southern Railway passenger train
was tagged and stopped by small boys
just as 1T approached a weakened
bridge that would have given way be-
meath the train.
The city's water supply is cut off.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26

X Rembert. Aug. 24.-The protraeted
meeting at McLeods church here,
which has been In progress during the
pan week. came to close last night.
nr. whitlock. the pastor. was unas-
uasted during the first part of the
week. but on Wednesday Mrs. JefYers
(known as Grand MAJ, a licensed
hdy evangelist from the North NJ. f.
church. dropped In during the morn
tng service. She was not expected.
but said God sent her here to this
psopie. She is rs years old. highly
educated with a sweet. refined face
and possessed with gift and fiuency.
and In short time won the love and
conndence OF the congregation. A
great work was done here In this
church. Many souls were reclaimed
md several converted, and the church
has been revived. I have never seen
sch congregations at this little
church before; In fact. the church
/, could not hold them. Grand Ma
1eft here this morning To assist Mr..
Whitlock at a meeting this week at
"a James church. near Sumter, and
VII also assist Mr.. whitlock at
Wedgefseld next week.
Too much praise cannot be given
Mrs. Tyre stuckey. OF stateburg. for
her untiring efforts In behalf Of the
success Of the meeting. and the church
sztends many thanks for her assist
sDce In conducting the music and
singing.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26
Damage in Laurens Inestimable.

Laurens, S. c., Aug. 25.-The dam
age to crops, farm lands, railroad
trestles, roads and bridges in Laurens
County wrought today by probably the
heaviest rainfall in her history cannot
be estimated tonight, but it is beyond
doubt the most serious in many years
Late this afternoon several benches
were washed from under Columbia.
Newberry and Laurens Railway tres
tie here, washouts at Laurens and
Greenville Road cut off traffic. North
Tiger railroad trestle on Spartanburg
Road became unsafe and it is reported
tonight that water is up to the second
foar Of the Enoree Cotton Mills.
Extent Of foods damage cannot be
told until tomorrow or later.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26
WORST SINCE PACoLEr FLOOD.
Great Destruction Wrought by the
Freshct in Grcenville.

Great Destruction Wrought by the
Freshct in Greenville.
Greenville, Aug. 25.-A rain blizzard
has been raging in this county for "a
hours Bridges are all down and street
car service Is suspended. At Paris
Mountain Reservoir No. a rise Of 30
feet Is reported. only the smoke
stack Of the pumping station being
visible. There have been washouts on
railroads In all directions. Every
available wrecking crew has been sent
out. The countys normal vote is over
six thousand. but 1t Is estimated that
only two thousand were able to get to
the polls today.
Reports from Reedy River Mill late
this afternoon say that much anxiety
is felt for the safety Of the mill, as the
water is standing two feet on the Sec
ond floor Of the main building. The
machine shops and a number Of out
buildings have been washed away.
On the Enoree River, near Chick
Springs, Taylor's Mill was washed
away at noon, and great damage to
crops Is reported from that vicinity.
Phone messages from all sections
of the county say that many bridges
have been washed away. In the city
along the banks Of the Reedy River
the damage has been great, the chief
sufferers being the Markely Hardware
Manufacturing Company, r. E. Allen
x Bro, Camperdown Mill and the
Southern Railway. At the foot Of
North street two cottages and small
store have been carried away. No
such rainfall has been experienced
since the Pacolet food.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26
DUN'S TRADE REVIEW.


New York. Aug 21.-R. G. Dun &
Co.'S Weekly Review OF Trade tomor-
row will say:
Trade and industrial activities con-
tinue to expand. improvement being
OF conservative nature that prom
ises permanency. There Is little dis
position to anticipate the future, but
current distribution is larger and
mercantile collections are prompt.
Extremely quiet conditions prevail
In the primary markets for cotton
goods. Export trade is also duh, in
quiries from Indian and Red Sea
points being at much lower prices
than are quoted. The decline In sill
yer has made a resumption OF demand
from China still more remote. AS
goods on hand were made from cotton
purchased above the present price,
there is no encouragement for produc-
ers to make sales.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26
STATE FARM DEVASTATED.
Flood Sweeps Over the Dams and
Ruins Crops.

The tremendous food on the Wa
teree River has swept over the dams
at The State farms in Sumter and Ker-
shaw counties and the crops on those
farms as we'll as on all other swamp
farms on the Wateree are a total loss.
The extent of the damage to the dams
cannot be estimated as yet, but it is
certain that it will require the expedi-
ture Of thousands of dollars to re-
place the dams.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26
TRAFFIC BLOCKED.
freieht Train OH the SeabOarl
Ditched Near Clinton.


Ditched Near Clinton.
Cheraw, Aug. 25.-The terrific rains
OF Sunday night have caused much
damage to the railroads In this Sec
ton. Traffic on the Seaboard Air Line
Railway has been almost completely
blocked today in consequ, nee Of two
washouts on the line, orc IT -2r;de's
ana the other at Eighty-nna-n.,,e POS.
ABOUT ten miles on this size Of Clinton
freight Train No. 20, consisting o. Il
cars was thrown into the ditch earIy
this morning. Train No. 80. which
was due here at Alb a. M. was de-
toured around by way Of Columbia
and No. 33. the southbound passenger
was several hours late. II is no,
known just how serious the dam.
ages are and 1t is, therefore. not nos
sible to state just when the line will
be opened up.
the Carolina and Northwestern
Railway has also had some heavy
rains TO contend with lately. Torrent.
iai rains injured the tracks OF the
Caldwell and Northern, the Carolina
and Northwestern's extension. las,
week. blocking traffic for several davs
The road is moving passengers as US
uai' however, again and freight work
will be resumed over this part Of the
line by Thursday or Friday.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26

Dsixeil. Aug 25.--Cotton picking In
general now, but the price makes US
feel sick. for we did expect at least
10 cents. One man says when he can't
gct pound OF chunk meat for a
pound Of cotton he feels like not
planting any more, but guess We can
raise our own corn and meat at home
and the low price OF cotton Is about
III that will learn the farmers any
sense; 30 let II 60. As long as the
0srchants do o iein business and re-
Sulrs the farmers to plant so many
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26
Southern Railway Service Crippled.

Washington, Aug. 25.---As a result
or the severe rain storm and floods in
North Carolina, South Carolina and
Georgia, the through service Of the
Southern Railway will be badly Grip
pied for several days. The worst con-
ditiOn exists at Greenville, S. C. At
Williamson, s. c., bridge 13O feet
long has been washed away and cam
not be repaired until the waters sub
side. 1t will probably take several
days to repair this break. Bridges and
trestles have been washed out all along
the line, and the railroad officials are
facing the worst conditions experience
ed in years.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26
Mr.. Savage Rescued.

Camden, Aug. 25.-Later: Mr.. Hen
ry Savage has been rescued from the
river. He Is at his plantation near
I.ugoff tonight.
The northbound Seaboard train will
not reach Camden tonight, as the
bridge over the river is considered un-
safe. The train has returned to Lu-
goff. The river is up to the railroad
track and still rising.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26

three and a half inches of rain at
Camden Junction last night Several
dams have broken and the loss will
amount to many thousands The water
is now several feet>above the Southern
railroad trestle mile below Camden
The roadway at the wrecked bridge is
now two feet under water, the river
having risen from level of four feet
below the road level to its present
height since yesterday. The water is
backing up the creek that flows
through the eastern section Of the city
In an alarming manner The ocu-
pants Of several buildings in this vi
cinity were forced to move out this
afteroon.
About 200 feet of the Seaboard Air
Line embankment has given way,
where part Of the long Wateree tres
tie was filled in.
The roads to the Hermitage and
Pine Creek cotton mills are blocked
by high water.
So far nothing has been heard of
Mr.. RADON and the boy who was with
him when the Wateree bridge went
down yesterday. Three negro women
are also missing. It is the opinion of
most people that the number Of peo-
pie on the bridge when it went down
was less than at first reported. Messrs.
Henry Savage and John Mickle and
eight negroes have been rescued. Two
Of the negroes were saved today.
Messrs. Bob McCreight and Bub De-
Loach report having seen a house
floating down the river. This is sup
posed to be the bridgekeeper's house,
as no other building could have pass
ed the S. A. L. trestle.
Mr.. Savage's dam below the Sea-
| board Air Line railway has broken
and water is overfiowing what is left
standing. 1t is reported that Baum's,
Springs & Shannon's, State farm and
Jordan's dams are also broken The
rebuilding Of these dams will cost
thousands and thousands of dollars to
the owners and neighbors. 1t will
ruin all.
The rapid rise Of the water caused
the loss Of 35 horses belonging to Mr.
William DePass and two belonring to
Messrs. c. H. Yates and D. G. Rich
ardson. Mr.. DePass had the horses
on knoll in the pasture some dis
| tance above the high water mark at
that time, the river then registering
81 feet. When the sudden rise to 3S
feet came Mr.. DePass could save only
nine Of the animals, the others being
drowned
Messrs. Sam Hammond and Jim
Williams have just returned from the
river They went about 10 miles down
| the river in search Of persons in dis
| tress. They had number of narrow
escapes. Their boat turned over in
the swift current three Tins and once
Mr.. Williams was pinned under the
boat and was there over a minute be-
fore being released. They deserve
| credit for their good work They got
| three negroes out Of trees yesterday
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26
PINEWOOD.

Pinewood. Aug. 2e.-y.S heavy
raino for tho last few days have put
a stop to COTTON picking.
Mr.. R. X. Kolb was the first to
bring in two new bales OF cotton.
Miss Bessie DesChamps left a few
days ago to visit friends at wysacky
and Branchville.
Miss Susan Richardson leaves on
the afternoon Of the 9th to visit Phil
adeplhia and other Northern cities.
Miss Mena Stack il visiting relatives
here.
Mrs. NJ. NJ. Rogers. of Lake City, is
on visit to Mrs. H. F. Stack.
Mr.. HI. A. Brailsford has moved
into his new home.
II Ii hoped the A. c. L. will soon
run their daily freight from Sumter,
leaving in the morning at 1880, and
will carry passengers. This would be
OF interest to the members of the ".
c, T. and T. p. A.. and the public In
general. This daily train carrying To-
cal passengers was very convenient to
the people Of this section. who could
50 up to Sumter any morning and re-
turn on the local. giving them about
one hour and twenty minutes to shop
and transact any business.
\ The ladies Of the Presbyterian
church are preparing to give a "box
party" here In X. of p. hall on We'd
nesday evening. Sept, 9th. Every
body Is invited to come. or send. The
ladies. married or single. young or
old. are requested to bring boxes.
These boxes will be auctioned of. the
highest bidder taking the package
and dividing the contents with the
lady who furnished the box. Any
thing will be accepted. but must be in
a box. SO contents will not be known
to the purchaser.
string band, OF one cornet, two
violins. one guitar and mandolin. has
been engaged for the occasion to fur
nish music. The net proceeds will be
used to help out paying for some new
church pews.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26
The Catawba Booming,

Rock Hill, Aug. 25.-Catawba River
Is ver0 high. The water is 20 feet
above the dam Of the Catawba Power
Company and is rising rapidly. The
trestle Of the Southern Is in danger
and is being watched closely. It is
reported here that the trestle Of the
Seaboard near Catawba Junction is
down.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26

The worlds greatest river is located
by Prof. Mudd in Australia. Peculiar
geological conditions lead much of the
water of this continent underground,
and he estimates that a great subter-
ranean river flowing through the GEN.
ter is as rsuch as 200 miles wide.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26

Mr.. W. T. Bradley, county treasurer
OF Abbeville county, died at the home
OF his sister-in-law, Mrs. H. D. Press
iy, at Cedar Springs, Tuesday MORN
ing. Mr. Bradley had been in failing
heath for more than a year and his
death was not wholly unexpected.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26

to estimate the damage to corn and
cotton crops on the river at this time,
but the loss will certainly be greater
than that which occurred at the Sher-
man freshet
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26
FLOODS AT AUGUSTA.
Canal Dam Breaks, Inundating Part
of the City-TMee Deaths are Re-

ported.
Atlanta, Ga, Aug. 26.-- The flood in
the Carolinas and Georgia eliminated
today in the breaking of the big dam
six miles from Augusta which diverts
the water from the Savannah river
into the canal at that point. The
great flood of water let loose soon
found its way into the city and tonight
from Fifteenth street to eastern boun-
dary Augusta is under from two to IL
feet of water, which is gradually
rising
The big bridge across the Savannah
river went down In the rush of water
and the dam at the locks seven miles
above the city collapsed, adding. to
the flood
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26

Pee Dee River bids fair to reach it's
highest stage by tomorrow morning.
The stage Of the river is now 35 feet
and rising rapidly. The chances are the
road recently built by Cheraw and
Marlboro counties will be wiped out.
If this occurs the two counties will
lose over five thousand dollars.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26
The Pee Dee Risiur.

Cheraw, Aug. 25.-The Pee Dee
River at p. m. is 33 1-2 feet high
and is still, rising, due to continued
heavy rains here for the past five
days. Crops On the river lands are a
total loss. Upland crops are seriously
damaged.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26
FLOODS RAGING IN PIEDMONT,
Continued from page /.

due to a washout, but the extent OF
the washout Is not known here. No
one has been injured
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-26


statsburg. Aug. 24.--Mr. and Mrs
,. Temple rrierson and little son, OF
Charissson. are visiting relatives here
Mias Elisabeth Huger. of Charles
so.. :. .',4a. the guest Of Miss B1ltis rrier-
~. Rishsrd RicAardsen. OF Sumter,
= visitipe Mr.. Henry p. Moore. u
11issts Annie ana Louise Benton, oi
Camden are the guests Of Miss Matte
Murray. 49,, rse>--.. = "a,
ME Frank p. Bussess returned on
rriday from . .visit to Washington
Daldmors and Philadelphia.
Mr. chnrses Pincknsy and Miss
Emma PinckHey. Of Sumter. have re-
snrnsd home. after pleasant stay a,
1lrA n. N. cantsy's. t. ,r.H y
Dr. Natt Moore. OF Horatso. spen,
Sunday st home.
1liss Annie Holmes IL in saIuda for
= stay Of several weeks.
Msssss Clara and Alice chiids. OF
Uunter. are visiting Miss virginia
1.nndsrs. \.tc
Mr.. r.. ID. Brohun. OF Ashevilie. n.
e. y the eoest OF Mr.. Henry p.
Moore. atets l It&EE~
Mis Julianne Frierson left last
~ssk to visit friends in wInnsboro.
Mr.. Edmund Murray. of Sumter. is
visatine at the home OF Mrs. Z. N.
7rierson.
Miss Hattie Norris Is in Hartsville
waiting her sister. Mrs. r. Lee Coker.
Mr.. w. ID. Frierson. OF sumter.
spent Sunday at home.