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1832 - Great Flood in the Ohio River, Wheeling

Excerpt: Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer, Editor, History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and Representative Citizens

In they year 1832 occurred the great flood of that year, which was highly destructive in its character, causing the loss of much valuable property. The Island opposite Wheeling was submerged to the depth of 10 feet. Daniel Zane, who lived at this time in a brick house on the Island, was apprehensive that the north wall of his house would be battered down by the number of logs and trees which were hurled against it, borne by the irrestible force of the current. From the frequent concussions, the wall began to weaken and was bulging inwards, but fortunately a large tree lodged at the wall and in a large degree protected it from the threatened demolition. During the night he and his family remained up, but fearful every moment that the house might fall and they be submerged beneath its ruins. But a kind Providence watched over and protected them. In the early morning he took steps toward moving his family to Wheeling. His ferrymen, -- Walker Hunter and John WAtkins faithful and devoted friend of Mr. Zane, -- resolved to make the effort to convey the family to the other side. They succeeded in getting the horse ferry boat, which was fastened a short distance below the house to a large walnut tree, to the front of the dwelling, when the family emerged from a window in the second story to the boat, which rode on a leve with it reaching it in safety.

The crossing of the angry waters to the town was full of dangers as the river was full of heavy driftwood, and the fear that something about the boat might break and usher them all to a watery grave made it an extemely perilous undertaking. It required strong arms and brave hearts to accomplish the passage. The boat, as we have said, was a horse ferry opearated by horse power. There two horses. A landing was effected in Monroe (now Twelfth) stree, midway between Main and Market streets, near a livery stable kept by a person by thte name of Fogle. As they landed, the faithful horses, overcome by exhaustion fell dead in their tracks.

Sources:

Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer, Editor, History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and Representative Citizens, "History is Philosophy Teaching by Examples." 1776 - 1900. Chicago, IL: 1902. Page 194 - 195, 1832 - Great Flood in the Ohio River.