The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-09-02
A TERRIBLE NIGHT.
Sunday Night One of Terror 20 Those
ON Sullivan's Island.

A gentleman who had the misfor
tune to be stranded on Sullivan's Is
land Sunday night said "Wednesday
afternoon In speaking of the storm
that II was the most terrifying ordea
that he had ever passed through anC
that he would not go through such
another night for anything.
This gentleman arrived in Sumter
Wednesday morning. having stopped
at Orangehurg on his wy home
from Charleston. which place ne LEFT
Tuesday morning. He did not ap.
pear any the worse for his adventure
but his account OF the experiences OF
his party who were unable to leave
the Island Sunday was intensely In
teresting.
He said that the party were In q
house some distance past the govern
ment reservation. in that portion OF
the island which received the brunt
OF the storm. They did not realize
that the storm was a hurricane until
1t was too late to leave the house.
This was some time shortly before
night. All Of the windows were
nailed up 30 that the wind could not
break into the house. but OCCASION
ally one Of the blinds would break
loose and go sailing out into the
night. The water rose to the door
OF the house and occasionally the
wind would splash the waves up
against the walls Of the house and
the water would leap up on the roof.
The house itself rocked at times az
II II would 60 to pieces at any min
ute. Inside there was nothing for the
men. women and children to do but
wait for what should come. This
was the most dreadful Of all---the
waiting and uncertainty. The din
was terrifying. II seemed as II every
moment would be their last
Some time before midnight, after
the water had spread over most Of
the island and regular thoroughfare
up the beach to the government reser-
vation was covered to various depths
by wafer which was running like a
mill race and worse thany any surf,
there-w was an effort made by some tu
leave the house for the government
buildings. but the older and wise.
ones dissuaded these from the at
tempt as II would have been suicidal
to have tried to make their way In
the darkness In water Of unknown
depth and current. And besides this,
the missiles blown from the houses
themselves. were flying about as II
hurled from a catapult. To have
been hit by one Of these flying OBJ
tects meant certain death and IL VAS
better TO walt and take chances in
the cottage.
Near midnight, when the wind was
al lis worst and the water vas deep
est. 1t seemed certain that nothing
could save the cottage from going
down, 80 all tied themselves together
with a sheet which had been torn
for this purpose and the men, wc.
men and children waited for the
house to go over and they should be
compelled to battle with the ele-
ments for life. This time never
came. however, for the cottage was
stronger than 1t seemed and stood
the shocks Of the winds and waves
and slowly night passed on, seeming
ly interminable. There was no sleep
for anyone. Even the several small
children in the cottage realized their
danger and did not cry. nor 90 any,
thing to add to the confusion Of the
storm.
Finally morning came and with II
an abatement Of the wind and water,
but II was far advanced in the day
before there was any sign Of help for
the stranded. However late in the
afternoon the government boat did
come and the party was taken off tbs
island and carried over to the city.