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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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The Economist
Elizabeth City, N.C.
Friday, 7 March 1902

         ASHVILLE, N.C., Feb. 28 - On account of heavy rains
       last night the French Broad River has risen far above
       high water mark, flooding the river district. The waters
       are higher than for years, two feet above the flood of
       last year.
         Business is practically suspended in the river sections
       of the city. The cotton mills have been forced to close
       down with much damage and loss. The Tannery is surrounded
       and there is serious loss to property.
         Inmates of houses along the river were forced to leave
       their homes. Some narrowly escaped drowning during the
       rescue of submerged home holders. The entire city force
       is at work helping people from flooded houses.
         Telephone and telegraph wires are down and there are
       few connections outside of the city. Railroad traffic
       is practically at a standstill. No trains have gone out
       in twenty-four hours and only one has come in. Slides
       and washouts are reported all along the line.
         A big wreck is reported at Alexander, caused by a
       landslide in a cut. Western and Southern trains are
       waterbound. Bridges over small streams near Ashville
       are all down. It is reported that at Marshall the river
       has risen over thirteen feet. It is over the water wall
       and the town is flooded.
         Three children were burned to death at Flat Creek,
       near Ashville, last night. The father of the children,
       J. W. Wallan, took them to the tobacco house for safety,
       fearing the house would be washed away by the freshet.
       He left the children with a torch and returned to the
       house to get his wife and other children. While he was
       gone the barn caught fire from the torch and was burned
       to the ground. The children's bodies have not as yet
       been found.
       
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