Immediately after the flood Mr. Lynch had spent three days in riding around through the section that had been flooded, noting carefully the conditions of the crops, and talking with the farmers. He gave me a positive assurance that he had not met a single case of destitution, and that, as a rule, the loss in that section would not average more than 10% to 25% of the crop. After this frank statement from a man who is in a far better position to get the exact truth than I could possibly be, I decided to make no further investigation, but to await the report of Dr. Hicks.
After spending two days in the flooded district, under circumstances which enabled him to come into touch with representatives from every point, Dr. Hicks returned with exactly the same report as that given by Mr. Lynch. He said that while the losses had been heavy, and many people were considerably crippled, there was no destitution and there was not likely to be any that could not easily be met by local resources.
Marion, S. C.
Proceeding to Marion on Friday night, with the expectation of being able to complete the investigation in another 24 hours, I found a situation which made it imperative that I should spend two or three days in that section.
A very active and interested Relief Committee, with Mayor S. T. Miles as chairman, was fully alive to the needs of the situation, and had succeeded in raising a fund of over $500.00, in addition to what had been sent by the Red Cross. I learned from this committee that the four townships of Marion County had been practically submerged. These townships form a tongue of land lying between Big Peedee and Little Peedee Rivers. During the flood the water of Big Peedee had risen and flowed clear over the intervening strip of land until they met the water of Little Peedee. A sandy ridge extending North and South through the interior ordinarily forms the water shed between the two rivers, and, at many points, the water had covered even this comparatively high land.
Arrangements were at once made for me to proceed to Eulonia, the home of Mr. S. U. Davis, who was said to be more thoroughly familiar with conditions in the flooded section than any one else.
After dinner Mr. Davis drove me through several miles of flooded country. It was a matter of regret with him that I had not come a week earlier when—nearly two weeks after the flood—the whole country was still under water, and boats were the only available means of transit from point to point. At that time most of the homes were vacant, and the occupants, with their cattle and household effects, were camping out wherever they were lucky enough to find a spot that was “high and dry.”
Pee Dee River Flood.
In a little two-room shanty, near Mr. Davis’ place, thirty-four people found shelter at one time during the high water. One resourceful farmer, when forced to move out of his home, which, though partially submerged, was still the dryest spot on the farm, provided for his live stock by tethering the cow to the cook-stove in the kitchen, and quartering his five hogs on the bed. In another instance a couple, who were determined to stay in their homes at all risks, themselves “camped out” on the bed, and at meal times paddled over to the cook-stove on a hastily-constructed raft.