Neuse Flooding Blocks Rail Traffic at Kinston, Aug. 1, 1919

From The Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., Aug. 1, 1919

Neuse River Now Falling Following Big Overflow

Kinston, July 30—The Neuse river here reminds one of the Mississippi in flood down the swollen stream. Tens of thousands of trees for many miles along the banks are under water, the tops of many just visible above the surface. A house or two sailing southward would complete the picture. A number of animals have been drowned at points along the river.

The river is falling, the receding waters having accomplished the destruction of lowland crops valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars. It will be days yet before the stream get back to normal. Numerous persons usually optimistic can be found to estimate the total crop and property damage of the past two weeks at a cool million dollars in Lenoir county alone. This figure may not be greatly exaggerated.  The excessive rains probably did as much damage as the flood has, although that has wrought damage enough for many miles on either side of Kinston.

Railroad passengers have been transferred across the Neuse during the past two or three days. Though there was no actual washout, the Norfolk and Southern tracks have been under water near the stream. Women passengers were not transferred, but men who insisted upon crossing were taken to the other side to waiting trains. Even the men were discouraged, but some with urgent reasons for continuing their journeys braved the danger; all were safely transferred.