28 THE FI,(K)U t)F lb43. 



by being flooded. Opposite Joel Kvan's farm, a short dis- 

 tance below the paper mill, the water rose twelve feet above 

 its usual level. 



The bridge at the turnpike over the dam of George Lewis, 

 was a roofed lattice bridge, with a span of ninety feel. It 

 was nearly new and had l)cen erected at an expense to the 

 county of four thousand six hundred dollars. The wood 

 work of this bridge was completely carried off. The mill 

 ilam of George Lewis was carried away, as was also his dye- 

 house, a stone building of considerable size. His race was 

 partly filled up, and the machinery in the mill considerably 

 injured by being flooded. The water rose twenty feet above 

 its usual level seven feet higher than ever before noticed. 



The next establishments on the creek below, are the 

 vStrathaven and Avendale cotton factories, owned by William 

 J. Leiper, and both occupied by James Riddle. Both dams 

 were partially swept away, and a number of the tenant 

 houses injured. All the tenant houses at Avendale were 

 under water to the second story, l)ut being constructed of 

 stone, were not demolished. Mr. Riddle had a large quantity 

 of cotton in bales, carried away, and a considerable amount 

 of cotton goods, yarns, cvtc, damaged. Mr. Riddle observes, 

 "that the water at this place rose nineteen feet — six feet 

 higher than the great ice freshet of 1S39. The rise in the 

 creek commenced at about half past seven o'clock. The 

 water rose very suddenly as well as very unexpectedly, and 

 was at its highest point a little after eight o'clock." The 

 county bridge at this place had its guard walls completely 

 swept ofT and was otherwise greatly damaged, but the arches 

 remained firm. A team of live horses, owned by S;iniuel 

 Heard, was in the stable at Avendale, but so rapid was the 

 rise in the water, that they were all drowned before they could 

 be got out. 



Helow this point the Hon. George G. Leiper sustained 

 considerable loss in damage to his mill dams, breaches in his 

 canal, and injury to i)rivate roads through his property — he 



