Sentinel Of The Valley

DESTRUCTIVE FLOOD!!

The rain which had been falling for several days previous to the 22nd inst., had accumulated such a sea of water, that the banks of the West Fork of the Monongahela river, which courses by our town, were utterly incapable of containing one half which had descended from the Heavens in terrific torrents upon its valley; and the 22d and 23d presented to the view of our citizens the melancholy spectacle of almost all our town swimming in a vast ocean of water, and the whole valley around us for several miles in either direction completely inundated. Boats and crafts of various sizes were sporting through our streets, which had not since the year 1808 been covered with water—indeed it is asserted by the oldest inhabitants, the early pioneers of our country, that the water has never been, in their recollection, as high by at least three feet, as the present.— The rise of the water was so sudden and unexpected, that many of our citizens had not prepared their property and dwellings for the reception of such a terrific flood, which at some points of our town was six or seven feet deep at the door. Our own office did not escape. The water rose thirteen inches on our floor, but did us no material damage. The chimney stack of the steam engine, lately built by Major Bland, at this place, fell in and injured the Grist Mill, and is supposed the engine, but we trust not seriously. The extent of the loss of private property in the valley of the West Fork, must be truly great. It happened at an unfortunate time. Our farmers were in the midst of their harvesting. Many stacks of grain and hay were seen descending the river, borne on the bosom of the great water. The new bridge of the Staunton and Parkersburg Turnpike road, built by the State, was no impediment to its maddening sway—it too was swept away. The fences in every direction have been uplifted and borne off, leaving whole fields of grain entirely at the mercy of cattle, &c. We have no criterion by which to judge of this immense loss to the farmers of our country. The prospect of a rich harvest had never been brighter. Our farmers were already rejoicing at the bright prospect of a rich return for their toil—but alas! the great flood, as the besom of destruction, has literally destroyed all. The bridge over the Stone Coal Creek stood, notwithstanding it being ten or twelve feet in water. We forbear anything like a minute statement of the losses until we can present an authentic account.—Weston Sentinel.