Source Hancock Clarion page 2, Retyped by Mary Emma Gibbs. For non-profit use

 In 1884 the Ohio was reaching out of its banks for all of the lowlands near. The high yellow bank in front of Lewisport was an island. Only the large wooden skiffs, manned by at least two men were daring its waves.

As usual the citizens were on the riverbank watching the drift go by.

At that time there were homes in the lowland directly across the river from Lewisport. Someone noticed movement on the roof of one of the houses. There was someone there waving what seemed to be a sheet.

The meek hearted predicted that no one could get across the angry river. The local blacksmith, Lewis T. Hesselton and one other man whose name has faded into time, knowing the danger, offered to try.

The strongest boat was made ready and the two men pulled away from the shore and safety. Often they disappeared into the white caps. At last, after a very long time they reached the house, and seemed to be taking more than one person into the boat. The Indiana hills were their closest safety.

The next morning, on their way to Kentucky, they rowed where the house had been the night before. The hungry river had more drift for the Mississippi. When they reached home it was learned that they had taken a man, his wife, a baby born the day before, and other children out of a second floor window.