The Freshet.

On the east (Derby) side of the river, the flood was equally severe. There was four feet of water on the floor of the depot---23 inches higher than ever before known. Two dwelling houses near the Railroad track were lifted by the flood. One of them, in which there were 12 persons, was thrown over and rested against a large elm tree, which also prevented it from being swept down stream with all it contained. The large house occupied by Mrs. Stone, on the bank of the river, was struck by the ice, and a portion of it carried away. The village market was completely covered by ice and water, and the "town pump" was so completely buried in the ice that it could not be seen after the water had subsided. A large quantity of building materials, owned by the Derby Lumber and Building Co., was swept away, and their office building was capsized, and landed on an embankment more than one hundred rods from $8,000 to $10,000. Widow Curtis' dwelling house was submerged up to the second story, and all the furniture was much damaged. A valuable piano, belonging to her daughter, Mrs. Durand, was destroyed. This is the second instrument of the kind which has been lost in the same way. Mr. Truman Gilbert's house was also submerged. Mr. Gilbert, who was lying at the point of death with a fever, was removed from his bed after the water had got into his room, and nearly covered his bed. A party of ladies and gentlemen assembled at the house of Mr. Geo. Blakeman, were singing in the parlor, when the water came rushing into the room forcing them to flee, and submerging the organ in the room to the depth of four inches.

The Pittsfield Sun, Pittsfield, MA 19 Feb 1857
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!