The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-04-19

grabbed her out. In rear of us peo-
pie were alrady calling for help, but
could do nothing. having my hands
fun. Black street was raging tor
rent and some men on the corner
helped me across with the family.
This was about $40 A. NJ so you can
see how fast the water came up. In
front Of the Niles the water was just
beginning to cover the pavement. All
business was suspended and great
crowds of people were collected at the
waters edge and fell back as it ad-
vanced. We got down to mothers
without further incident. wet to the
skin and Jose came to the door and
couldn't believe We were refugees. We
changed clothes there, 1 put on Ike's
clothes and you can imagine how they
fit me. In the meantime Ike came
home and we started up to see what
was going on. BY this time the water
vas washing over the Pan Handle
tracks on East avenue. / went around
to Maple avenue as far as 7th When
got there saw a man swimming his
horse over High Street and the water
washing over the horses back, so /
got. scared, turned around and went
back to mothers, knowing we were
In for 1t. When got back there had
to wade and in a few minutes we were
cut off there too. In a short time the
water was in the yard and kept run
ming and rising faster and higher.
Soon 1t came in on the porch and we
adjourned upstairs. We had heard all
kinds of dreadful reports. the fire bells
rang alarms and 1 certainly was
scared. All bridges went down and as
night came on ii looked fearful. 1t
was pitch dark except for the terri
flying glare in the sky. People were
screaming and calling for help houses
and debris were shooting down East
avenue and 1 was afraid the house
was going down every minute. We
all gathered together upstairs and
about Midnight Jose and the rest
came through saying that we must
prepare for the worst as all chances
were gone. Ike and I pacified them
by telling them a lie
! About s A. M. the water ceased ris-
ing, it was then s feet in the house;
stood still for an hour or so and them
slowly began to recede. There was
no sleep that night for any. Not q
soul was to be seen. The current
down East avenue was terrific. When
dam broke II was certainly an awful
sight. We could see the Poor House
Hill lined with spectators and that
hill never looked so good to me be-
fore. Then the water rose again and
stood still long time. 1t was i'm
possible to go out even in boats. We
passed Wednesday and "Wednesday
night in the same suspense. We were
out OF water and had consumed all
the provisions. did not have any
thing to drink for over "a hours and
never noticed 1t. When Thursday
morning came. and 1t was very cold
and had showed some, / ventured ont
to get some oil for the little stove the
folks have. j went down to Herman's
and they were wrecked Then I went
over to Black and got some so we
mad little warmth. 1 can't begin TO
describe the Decentralization. / then
went up the Rentschler building and
went up to the Sth story to see If
anything was left up our way but
couldn't make anything out. Word
had reached Cincinnati Of our ca
lamity and relief began pouring I'm.
otherwise many would have perish
ed from cold and hunger. Nothing
can ever describe how nobly and
splendidly Cincinnati came to our re-
lief. 1t was the most splendid thing
that ever was done for the relief OF
n stricken community. Every man,
woman and child there will always
say God bless Cincinnati. A single
line of automobiles from Cincinnati
to Hamilton loaded with supplies and
collins braved the night. the cold and
rain TO get to us. 1t was magnificent.
This is only an outline and l am short
OF paper and must stop. trust YOU
are all we'll We are O. X. Excuse
pencil for this is all have and didn't
get this till tonight when Earle came
home from Cincinnati
/ will tell you more the next time.
Love TO all. Your loving brother,
WILL.