| 438 kind. Wheeling was partially, and Benwood was almost wholly submerged; and thousands of people in a few small houses, box cars, and on the hillside. I found my wife and babe in a small house with one hundred and sixty-five others. They had been rescued by Bro. Thomas Humes, from a second-story window, where the water was nearly on the floor. It was heartrending, (my wife says,) to hear the cries of, Help! Help! Oh save me! Save my children! Strong men shouted until they were hoarse. On account of the rapid rise of the water, and the scarcity of skiffs and flats, many were rescued from the roofs. It is simply impossible to describe the anguish, distress, and destruction of those dreary hours.
Sr. Ebeling, a widow with eight children, had a comfortable cottage swept away with all her furniture and clothing in it. No means of sustenance, except the earnings of her three boys, the oldest about sixteen years of age. Bro. Linton, a poor man, with six in family, had the house he lived in carried off its foundation, and his furniture and clothing destroyed. Bro. Thomas Humes had his house partly demolished and furniture ruined. Sr. Gill, a widow, with six in family; furniture and clothing ruined. Bro. Morris, with a large family, A. M. Teagarden, J. A. Smith, and myself, shared the same fate. The water was eight feet deep in our church. Our organ, sofa, Sunday-school books, were all in the water. The building remained on its foundation, and it is not seriously damaged.
Sometime the last of February a branch was organized at Cheyenne, Wyoming, by Elder John Eames, consisting of twelve members.
There was also a branch organized in Bexar County, Texas, February 28, by Elder Heman C. Smith, known as the Oak Island Branch. There had been a branch at this place previously, but it had been disorganized on account of the transgression of some.
A small book appeared about this time written by Elder William B. Smith, brother of the Prophet, containing sketches of his biography and an account of early incidents connected with the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon.
Commencing March 5 there was a discussion held near Oenaville, Bell County, Texas, between Elder C. M. Wilmeth of the Christian Church and Elder Heman C. Smith.
March 9 Mrs. Abigail Y. Alley wrote her cousin, Mr. Andrew Talbut, from Jaffa, Palestine. The following is an extract from her letter:
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