Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-29
SIMPSON TELLS or TRIP
THROUGH FLOOD SECTION
General Superintendent or Southern
Hallway Returns to Office Here
After Starting Reconstruction.
MOST LINES ARE NOW OPEN
Damage to Crops and Property Re-
ported us Appalling. and Need for
Relief Continues in Many Parts of
Western Carolina.

On loot and on mules, General Surcr-
~intendent r. E. Simpson. of the South
ern Railway ~COmpany; G.. T.. Buckley,
engineer OF maintenance or way: y.
~. WciIs, road master: G. w. Andcr-
son. assistant road master; ]. s. Berg
man. assistant superintendent, and G..
y. Bolich. trainmaster. Travelled the
length of the roadway between North
Wilkesboro and Greensboro, y. G., to
Investigate the destruction caused bv
the recent floods. They walked and
rode ffty-two miles. sometimes wadinc
mp to their knees in water and mud.
They slept in farmsteads, barns and
stables. 1.-THE trip taking them three
days. They were appalled, by the con-
ditions they saw. In some places the
tracks had been washed away for a
mile. The surrounding country was
Hooded with water. In the bottom
lands all the crops n been destroyed.
The surrounding country was In a state
of restitution.
The tracks have been temporarily re-
constructed so that Il slow train ser
vice may he made possible. but it will
require eight months. 1t was said. be-
fore the tracks and roadbcd are fully
restored.
WORK OF RECONSTRUCTION
WAS PROMPTLY
Information that the Yadkin River
had overlooked It's banks was received
in Richmond oil Saturday night. July
l6. and ut 1l:15 o'clock that night the
party had left for the scene of disaster.
They arrived at Donnaha at noon the
next day. there finding the track COW
cred with eight feet of water. When
the waters began to recede. the party
beat its way W the tracks to North
Wilkesboro. a distance of hfty-two
miles. While the party was investi-
eating conditions. the had
put out n force of 1000 men 10 repair
the damage. Trainloads of men were
brought from all points. and the farm
ers in the surrounding country. their
crops being ruined, lent themselves out
for hire.
1t was found that the Yadkin River
had cut out large areas Of farm land
in tho bottoms. In some places the
water had risen to n depth OF fifteen
feet. Along the track sediment was
deposited at Il depth OF from one to
ten feet. At many places the tracks
and roadbed were completcly washed
away. the distance ranging from 200
feet TO AS much as a mile. Driftwood.
timber and dwellinE were piled
on tn" tracks. \ large force was re-
auired to move the iotsam and jetsan.
and men were employed from every
point. The worst conditions were
found ut Lime Rock, Rockford water
tank. the Fish River bridge, Crutch-
fields and other points etwcen Roar
ing River and North wilkesboro.
TWENTY-FIVE trestle bridges had TO be
restored in whole or in part.
TRAFFIC. WAS SUSPENDED
o NINE DAYS
All traffic was discontinued. the
first train after the flood not moving
until July 25. nine days after the wa
tiers burst their bounds. on July l6.
when the flood came, a train moved
out from North Wilkesboro and went
ten miles. The waters had then risen
TO such a distance that the conductor
and engineer decided to run back. and
the train was packed into North Will
keShoro.
Work Of reconstruction Is being pro-
ceedcd with as rapidly as possible, and
EO0 men are still engaged in repairing
the tracks and roadbed. Supplies are
being furnished by train. the mater
ials in the surrounding country hav-
ing been exhausted. 1t will be months
before the reconstruction is completed.
and in the meantime the company is
operating its trains as best 1t can.
Flood sufferers came in for s35 yes
terday. in contributions received by
The Times-Dispatch. The total amount
now on hand is ssh, a sum small COM
pared with the loss caused by the
waters. but nevertheless capable Of
rendering substantial aid to a con
siderable number OF the destitute.
RELIEF WORK IS
STILL GREATLY NEEDED
Reports from the stricken district
indicate that bitter need continues.
Relief is necessary, and contributions
from Richmond will be welcomed.
Money for the flood sufferers will be
cheerfully accepted by The Times-Dis-
patch, and the names of donors will he
published daily.
Yesterdays receipts follow:
Anonymous .......... .........Sl0 90
Powers & Anderson ............ rs 90
Received yesterday .........s 35 90
Previously acknowledged ....... IS 90
Total received Ssh 90