HAZARDOUS TRAVEL

"GREAT FLOODS—TAR RIVER

HIGHER THAN EVER BEFORE"

Louisburg, NC

November 1887

The water in Tar River exceeds its banks, and by 6:30 PM on November 2, 1887 the bridge at Louisburg [Franklin County, NC] is washed away. Reports follow with the loss of Cedar Creek Bridge, Sandy Creek Bridge, Cypress Creek Bridge, and all other bridges over Tar River.

Mill pond dams are breaking up at Jerre Perrys and Cliftons. Jacksons mill pond is nearly destroyed. The forebay at Laurel Cotton Mill along with the saw-mill has floated away.

Reports are coming in of untold thousands of bushels of corn lost in these high waters. M. S.l Davis reported the loss of forty head of sheep.

[Taken from the Franklin Times, November 2 & 4, 1887. First printed in The Connector, newsletter of the Tar River Connections Genealogical Society, Summer 2004.]