The Yorkville Enquirer of Nov. 17, 1886 reported – “Sam Vernon, a former slave known as Blacksmith Sam died near Wellford in Spartanburg Co., last week on the place of Mr. James Vernon. Sam was 101 years of age and retained his memory and mental powers to the last.”
City Directories and History: The Rock Hill Herald reported on June 10, 1903 on the flooding disaster on the Pacolet River. It reported, over sixty people killed, the Pacolet Mill destroyed, and many houses gone. The three Clifton Mill were wrecked, 3,000 men, women and children gathered around the wreckage. Mill #1 is the least damaged having three stories. There is only a skeleton of mill #2. Many people were swept down the river on drift wood. Dexter Village at mill #2 lost all of its houses and the Converse mill was destroyed.”
From the Rock Hill Herald, June 13, 1903:
The Herald contained several articles about a devastating flood in Spartanburg and Greenville counties. This is a summary of the articles:
The disaster in Pacolet led to more than 60 killed, the mill destroyed, and many houses washed away. People in Rock Hill were taking up collections for relief, as the families involved had lost their homes and their jobs. On June 8, the three Clifton Mills were in wreckage. Three thousand men, women and children gathered around the wreckage. The river had flooded so severely that many people were swept downriver on driftwood. Clifton Mill #1 had the least damage, mill #2 has only a skeleton left. The Converse Mill was destroyed and Dexter Mill #2 has lost all the mill houses.
One article contained a listing of the estimates of financial damages:
Pacolet Mills 1, 2, 3 $1.5 million
Clifton Mills 1, 2, 3 $ 2.0 million
Fingerville Mills $ 8,000
Tyger Mills $ 15,000
Tucapaw Mills $ 10,000
Glendale Mills $ 30,000
Whitney Mills $ 5,000
Mary Louise Mills $ 60,000
Other small mills $ 30,000
Southern Railway damage $350,000
Other smaller mills were damaged or destroyed:
Roller mill of Edwards & Jamison near Campobello on South Pacolet destroyed, along with gin.
Old Dean grist mill on Mill Creek near Campobello swept away. At least 75 years old.
Ott’s Mill bridge and dam at Ott’s Shoal on Tyger River, fourteen miles from Spartanburg.
J. J. Vernon’s mill on North Tyger near Wellford destroyed.
W. R. Cudd’s corn and grist mill at Martinsville on Lovelace Creek.
J. H. McMillan’s roller mill, gin & machinery on Pacolet River destroyed.
Jim Parris’ grist mill and saw mill on Buck’s Creek
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