http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ifetch2?/u1/data/ky+index+43326592+F Newspaper Article:GRADYVILLE, ADAIR COUNTY KY-ALMOST ENTIRELY DESTROYED Contributed for use in USGENWEB Archives by: Larry & Laura wright [email protected] 20 Jul 2000 Taken from THE WAYNE COUNTY OUTLOOK June 13, 1907 Edition Typed as published and submitted By Laura Frost Wright 20 LIVES LOST TOWN OF GRADYVILLE, ADAIR COUNTY ALMOST ENTIRELY DESTROYED, BY A CLOUDBURST, WHICH SWELLS BIG CREEK INTO A ROARING TORRENT STATE SENATOR L.C. NELL'S FAMILY AMONG THOSE KILLED Gradyville, a town of 300, situated about 12 miles west of Columbia, in Adair County, was partially destroyed by a cloudburst last Friday night at 12 O'Clock. A hard rain began to fall about 10 O"clock which caused the creek to soon overflow its banks, as this had happened a number of times no one thought of danger. Just about 12 O'clock the cloudburst and a wall of water said to have been about 10 feet high rushed down the valley sweeping everything before it. Senator NELL"S residence was the first struck and it was carried four miles down the creek killing Mrs. NELL and four of their children. A number of other houses were totally or partially destroyed, which will amout to between $75,000 to $100,000. Many harrowing stories are told of narrow escapes from death in the flood and it is almost miraculous that no more lives were lost. W.L. GRADY"S large stock barn in which he had a fine string of blooded horses, remained intact but a dwelling house was hurled against it with such terrible force that one side was partly wrecked. When Mr. GRADY heard the roar of the storm the water was then in his residence, He first carried his wife and children on his back to safety, then ran to his barn to see after his horse"s , but was compelled to wade in water almost chin deep to get them out. Dr. L.C. NELL, who is State Senator from this ( the sixteenth) district, and who lost his entire family with the exception of one little girl who was not at home on the fateful night, had his home carried away by the flood, except the well, which was not moved out of its position.Dr. NELL was not at home when the destructive wave swept away his family and home. He had gone into the country to visit a patient. Mr. HARFIELD MOSS, whose wife and five children met death in the deluge, was also absent from his home. Mr. LUM HILL was also away from home when his wife and little baby, whom he loved so well, were carried to their death by the mad waters of the raging stream. The following is a list of the dead all of whom had been found by Sunday except Mrs. NELL and one of her children and the infant child of Mrs. ADA WILLIAMS, Mrs. A. MOSS, Mrs. N.H. MOSS. PAUL, WILSON, PEARL, CARRIE, DEWEY, IRENE, and ALFRED MOSS all choldren of Mrs. N.H. MOSS, Mrs. CARRIE WILLMORE, Mrs. ADA WILLIAM, Mrs. MELISSA HILL, and two year old son, Mrs. J.W. KERTNER, Mrs. L.C. NELL and four children. Relief parties from Columbia and Greensburg were sent out early Saturday and di all in their power to help the suffering. Submitted By Laura Frost Wright July 20, 2000