Great Flood of May Igor Sweeps Asheville Area
Last week produced the greatest flood in local history as unprecedented rain overwhelmed the Bakersville Asheville watershed. Storms deluged highlands then spread through lower valleys, swelling streams across North Carolina and Virginia, damaging crops and property. Dispatches from the Charlotte Observer illustrate the vastness and violence of the May flood.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bakersville
Asheville
Tennessee
Virginia
Charlotte Observer
Igor
Great Catawba Flood Destroys Bridge and Rail Lines
The Catawba river rose seven feet above the 1824 mark at Neelys Mill, flooding or washing away trestles and approaches. The big Southern Air Line bridge over the Catawba was held down by two coal freights. center span bent four feet, trestles on both sides swept away, while the steel structure remained mostly intact. Trains rerouted via Columbia and Spartanburg. Seaboard crossing trestle also damaged. Local towns report bridge failure, damaged mills, and widespread flood damage along the Catawba system with restoration expected in days. Local officials and observers describe dramatic flooding and ongoing rescue and repair efforts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Catawba Ae
Esterday
The
Observer
Old Nee] Mill
Stee’e Creek
B. T. Pegram
Neely’s
Southern
Air Line
Catawba River
Charlotte
W. B. Ryder
Catawba
Atlanta
Columbia
Spartanburg
Belmont
Danville
Taylorsville
Seaboard
Catawba Junction
J. T. Mitchel
Berryhill Township
Mt. Holly
James Irwin
Rock Island
Rozzelle’s Ferry
Carolina Central
Rutherfordton
Flood Ravages Western North Carolina Railways and Towns
Severe floods disrupt lines from Asheville to Bakersville with washouts and slides. Trains delayed, work crews on restoration, and waters threaten towns including Magnetic City and Rain Mountain Station. Bakersville reports multiple houses destroyed and several deaths. Yorkville recounts dramatic river flooding and rescue of families by flatboat and neighbors.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Quintan Moore and Son
Loafer
Flood Wrecks Bridges and Crops in Catawba Valley
Morganton May 22 A 48 hour rainstorm topped records as the Catawba river near Morganton reached 31 feet above low water. The McDowell ford and Lenoir road bridges were swept away, costing about 15000. No lives reported though valley details are scarce. Burke county damages rough at 100000 in wheat, corn and mud covered fields.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Morganton
Round Knob
Catawba Valley
Catawba
McDowell’s Ford
Lenoir Road
Burke County
Alo E
Heavy rains cause widespread rail damage in Rutherfordton area
Rutherfordton reports three days of continuous rain with extensive crop damage and washouts across the county. Two trestles on the South Carolina Georgia Extension Railroad between here and Marion are completely gone, including a 240 foot trestle near Glenwood and another near Thermal City. Over 2,000 feet of track washed away, with multiple washouts along the line.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Durham County
Durham
Virginia
Rutherfordton
Marion
South Carolina & Georgia Extension
Glenwood
Thermal City
Here
Bridges and lumber swept away in Troutman flood
May 22 report from Troutman describes multiple stacks of straw and timbers lost, trees uprooted and carried down the river, Woopers on the Catawba pavilion afloat aided by debris, Murdoch saw mill submerged, thousands of feet of lumber and logs carried off, and water flooding Mr. Pomp Alley’s home through both doors.
Bridge at Catawba River in precarious condition
Monroe May 23 reports the S A Ju railroad bridge spanning the Catawba river between Monroe and Chester in danger from rising water. Part of the trestle on the Chester side is washed away and the track is badly misaligned as at least four trestle branches have disappeared.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Monroe
S. A. Ju
Catawba River
Chester
Rail damage halts Western line to Asheville
Statesville reports extreme flood damage along the Catawba river with six days of suspended service on the Western branch to Asheville. The Catawba railroad bridge was displaced slightly, and key iron supports bent, requiring straightening before trains can pass again.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Statesville
Catawba River
Asheville
Catawba
Medals Awarded For Heroic Smallpox Service
At Baptist Female University President Vann awarded gold medals to Misses Miriam Welch and Bessie Love of Waynesville for nursing students with smallpox and two with varioloid. Miss Lottie Highsmith pinned the medals. gifts from faculty and students.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Raleigh Cor
Charlotte Observer
The
Baptist Female University
Vann
Miriam Welch
Bessie Love
Wayonesville
Lottie Highsmith
Strikes a Rich Find
It was troubled for several years with chronic indigestion and nervous debility, writes F. J. Green of Lancaster, N. K. No remedy helped me until I began using Electric Bitters, which did me more good than all the medicines I ever used. They have also kept my wife in excellent health for years. She says Electric Bitters are splendid for female troubles and a grand tonic for weak, run down women. Try them. Only 50c, satisfaction guaranteed by J. E. Curry & Co., Druggists.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
F. J. Green
Lancaster
N. K
J. E. Curry & Co
Also Mentioned on This Page
Neel’s
Sickery
Hickory
Caldwell County
Hickory Board of Trace
Cliffs
Carolina & Northwestern Railroad
Lenoir
Ger
Gastonia
North Carolina
Shupup
Knoxville Town
Knoxville
Hendersonville
Salisbury
Lick Log Cut
Blue Ridge
Biltmore
Old Fort
Robert’s Gill
Asheville & Spartanburg
Bakersvil
Raleigh News and Observer
N. C
E. Morgan
Gibb Green
Hicks Patterson
M. Buchanan
Sam Turner
Jim Green
Bill Green
Nora Anderson
Berry Stewart
Prof Britt
Quinton Moore
Silver
Lizzie Howe
R .H. Young
Henry Poteat
John Gudger
Baptist Church
York County
Yorkville Enquirer
Wright’s Ferry
J. Costner
Costner
Cgostoer
Thomasson
Mr. Costner
S. Road
Shelby
G. Extension Railroad
Blacksburg
Caldwell Land and Lumber Co
Rutherfordton Saffers Too
J. Q. Holland & Company
LE. M. Andrews
Neolf Willow Rockers
Nice
Justin
E. M1. Andrews
McCormick Harvester
Mscormick
Craig & Wilson
Gastonta, N.C
J. E. Page & Company’s
W. F. Marshall & CO
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