Washout on the Iron Mountain, 1916

"High water on the Black River was an annual event in the late Winter of any year.  However rains of 1918 had been heavier than usual and the February thaw with more rain brought high waters that even an old timer could not recollect seeing.  Corningites had their usual afternoon past-time of checking the rise of the back water and it was prophesized that the curve North of the Corning Lake trestle (trussel if you are a native Arkansawyer) would be washed out...  Sandbagging delayed the inundation for a short time but the rise topped all barriers and with one mighty surge that put spectators to hopping for dry land, the waters conquered and Corning was to be isolated for several days.  Postmaster McKinney brought in the daily mail via motorboat from Knobel and business halted while everyone enjoyed the aquacade free.  Anxious to get the mail line to Texas in operation, the Iron Mountain brought in two pile drivers and the breach was closed by driving piling from either end.  The following Summer the road bed was raised high enough to avert such washouts in the future."  (Clay County Courier)

Submitted by Danny Moore