Statement of Witnesses

MRS HIRST'S ACCOUNT
Of her conduct under apprehension of the flood:-

"I went into the house and opened my Bible, and thought I would read a little about the troubles of Job. After this I went to bed.

By and bye I was again alarmed by my neighbours, who urged me to fly for my life. The members of my family said they would go in different directions to my relations and friends, and they did so. I put, as I thought, many things out of harms way by taking them from the lower rooms into the chambers. The heavy pieces of furniture such as the piano, table and chairs were left below.

I got into the cellar, and there I thought of staying for safety. Bye and bye two of my neighbours came and urged me to run, but I refused, and clung to the cellar stone; but they forced me away.

I then seized my youngest child, who was in bed, wrapped it in a table cloth, and we fled for our lives, the men carrying us along; and as soon as I got over the wooden bridge I looked and saw the water coming in great force, mountains high, and dashing in the windows of the house.

I just saw the white window blinds floating on the water, and then remembered no more. Another minute and I had been lost. The reservoir burst before I left the house. All I had was swept away."

Here was a widow, the mother of a large family, who but an hour before was possessed of a respectable home, an excellent furnished house, a well-stocked farm, a large and most valuable mill, with well-appointed machinery, suddenly bereft of all she possessed. Scarcely a vestige of property - estimated as we have before said at £15,000 to £20,000 - remained after the flood had done its work.

Mrs. Hirst had about £50 in old gold and silver coins in the house at the time.

By the destruction of Digley Mill, about one hundred hands were thrown out of employment.

A WONDERFUL CHIMNEY
With regard to the tall chimney which was left standing, and remains to this day, an amusing story is told to the effect that one of the numerous guide who conducted visitors over the ruins used to draw the attention of visitors to this chimney, whilst he averred that when the full force of the flood beat down on the mill and adjoining buildings, the workmanship of this chimney was so good that the waters made no impression upon it beyond removing it bodily a distance of ten yards backwards from its original position!

If any doubt was expressed as to the truth of this statement, he clinched the matter by saying "he had seen it himself!" Thus competition amongst guides led Joel to make strange statements.