The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-17
INVERTED
WHITE MAN AND NEGROES IN RIv- \ FIR AT SELMA.
Crest of Flood Has Been Reached and Water fs Expected to Recede Central City
 News

Selma. March 16.-(Special. 1.-Two incidents which came near having tragic endings was all that disturbed the serenity of the slowly but stead- fly rising Alabama River at this point today.
 The rise of the river last night and today was slow and the crest of the flood at this point will no doubt be reached tonight and tomorrow the wa ters will begin to recede. The Govern ment gauge this afternoon showed that the river had reached the 52.3 feet stage and 1t is hardly thought that 1t will reach fifty-three feet.
 The county bridge across the river was crowded all day by citizens and these sightseers witnessed the two accidents of only a few hours apart and which came near having tragic endings. The first of these accidents occurred during the early morning hours and the other shortly after the noon hour.
 On the south approach to the bridge for some months past there has lived an.s old white mana named Wrightgill. The little house or shed which he oc- cupies and which faces the road. for several days has been anchored to keep it from floating away. This morning the old man who claims to be a prophet made his appearance In the
  boys began to tease him and dare him to jump into the swollen river.
 The old man finally jumped into the water and crawled out. Then he jump ed in the second and third time and each time crawled out. but when he jumped in the fourth time he would probably have drowned if he had not been taken out of the water and car ried into his home. where he was put to bed.
 Shortly after the noon hour coun- try negro with his son about grown left Selma for their home across the river In driving cart to which was hitched a mule. Both the father and son acted as they drove across the bridge as if they were inebriated and In going across the bride Joked with the members of their race.'
 For a hundred yards the back wa ters of the river flow across the road leading to the bridge, and the water in the road is nearly three feet deep.
 During recent years this road has been built up several feet and on each side the water Is nearly ten feet deep. In driving across the inundated part of the road the mule pulling the cart was pulled to the right and the cart with the two negroes was soon In deep water. In the deep water the animal got out of the harness and came back to the road but the cart with the ne- groes were swept down stream and would have been drowned if some ne- groes close by in skiffs had not rescued them. The old negro was unconscious when he was picked up.
 All anxiety which was caused by the rapid riseRof the Alabama River a few lays ago has been allayed. and aI- though the back waters from the river turing last night and today continued % creep towards the eastern part of he city where they would do consid- ,rable damage by a continued rise. no llarm is felt now.
 As in the heavy rain storm of a week Lgo the eastern part of the city is the greatest sufferer from the high water # the river, but the damage in that l ection from the water will not be very arge.
 The Cahaba River and the creeks | vest of Selma began receding last night | nd 1t is thought that there will be | 10 further danger from them for the | present.
 The Cahaba River went as high as he steel rail of the railroads on the ridges across them and on one of the ridges a coal train of several cars were Left overnight to keep the rush. ng waters of the river from washing he bridge away.
 With tthe continued rise of the river he backwaters are spreading over 1ueh low lands But this water will oon flow back into the channel of the iyer after the stream once begins to all.