Leeds Mercury, Monday, 26 October 1885
Floods in South Yorkshire
The recent heavy rains caused the river Don to overflow on Saturday, and for miles the land on either side of the banks was submerged.
Near the Mexborough and Swinton Railway Station the water rushed along at terrific speed, and a large tract of land was covered. At one time it was feared the railway would be inundated, so rapidly did the water rise.
At Denaby the river flowed over the Highway, and some parts of the road lay three feet deep in water. The villagers proceeding to the market at Mexborough were carried over the current in carts, and no little risk attended this owing to the force of the water.
The low-lying land that Conisbrough was covered by the uniting of the rivers Don and Dearne and a vast area of land between here and Doncaster was submerged.