From the 1938 centennial edition of The Times-Register
While Mason’s Creek is ordinarily a placid stream, on the night of August 13, 1898 this creek, which rises in the Catawba, became a roaring ruinspreading torrent of water following a cloud burst in the head waters of the stream. Buildings, trees, fences and other obstacles were carried before it as if they were straws; the force of the swirling waters was terrific. The road that lies close to this creek was almost completely ruined while great gulches are said to have been washed in by the waters. Large boulders were picked up by the torrent and scattered at various places in the path of this stream which overspread its banks and swept the valley.
15 Feet High
At places the water rose to a height of about fifteen feet and in other places extended over an area about one hundred and fifty yards wide, destroying completely large fields of corn, millet and other grain. The heaviest loser by the flood was John Garst whose saw mill and grist mill were swept away by the angry waters, all the machinery being carried away. He also lost a surrey and buggy. All his farming tools and implements were also carried away by the seething waters.
He estimates his loss at $3,000 at the least.
So fast did the waters of the creek rise that they were rushing about the house immediately after word was received that the creek had gone out of its banks. Mr. Garst and some guests had to flee for safety in a hurry.
Many Lose
Mr. George Garst also lost a considerable amount of property by the flood as the waters swept through his residence. The blacksmith shop of William Hinchee was almost submerged by the waters and many of his tools were lost.
A number of people became so frightened that they sought refuge in a little church that stands on a hill some distance from the stream.
The Salem Roller Mill of which Mr. J. S. Thomason was the proprietor was considerably damaged and part of his dam was washed away. He estimated his loss at $500.
An old bridge but which had strong supports was swept away near the residence of M. P. Frantz and it was carried some distance down stream. The electric street railway bridge and the bridge over the creek on the Boulevard were also carried away.
Among others who suffered loss by the flood were Supervisor W. H. Barnett, J. P. Houtz, Eulin Marshall, Col. C. W. Burwell, Jos. Stoutamire, Andrew Davis, John Collins, W. B. Trevy, Henry-Garst, James Puckett, the Deyerle farm, the poorhouse farm and Alex Moses.
Squire John Garst who had lived in the Hanging Rock Vicinity all his life said that the creek rose two and one-half feet above any previous high water mark.
