The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-21
HIGH WATER
JvNE n, 1874.
SEVEN FEET, SIX INCHES
ABOVE
TIL T. CITY d. RE C T r x:
THIRTY-EIGHT FEET ONE INCH


Low WATER MARK.
The loss of property by this food was
INN nse and indeed some human lives sacrificed
by the iapdity with which the waters over the
banks OF the rivers. On the rivers above and below
st Louis much live stock is known to have bsen de-
stroyed also much household furniture and the
naming agricu tural products OF the previous
IN this distressing emergency hundreds OF families
fed from the submerged lands to St. Louis where they
received the kndes from the city officers anu the
private citizens. Opposite this city, the American
Bottom was entirely covered so that two steamboats,
piled regularly, for weeks, to the bluffs in Illinois,
eight miles from the river where they received the
great mail from Louisyills. The ultimate damage to
St Louis itself was also great Great quantities of
goods in the warehouses the Levee destroyed
and much property oated Off but the injury sustained
by the inhabitants Of the southern part of the city
the river, in being driven from their homes, and
losing many Of their household effects serious
The Hood acted as a damper on the business of the
whole season. and il is ferventy to be hoped that the
great valley may never again be visited by such
lamity.
The older streets of St. Louis those the river,
and part Of those running at right angles with the
river, were originally planned by the French, aud
somewhat narrow and crowded The principal streets
for wholesale business, forwarding. &c, Main
First street. and Front street. The Levee, Front
street, is filled on the upper side by substantially
built business houses whence the grade slopes rogu-
laely distance Of about one hundred and fifty feet
to the river, forming landing place inferior to
the western rivers. The Levee IL paved In the
excellent manner, and at all presents busy
The stranger receives very good Impression
of the immense amount of business carried in this
city first behoding the Levee crowded rs it usually
goods Of every description.
The principal streets for retail trade South and
Market. Fourth street is the Broadway" of st.
Louis and is very pleasant promenade being broad,
straight and containing many handsome buildings,
among which are the court house, planters house,
odd fellows hail. city hospital several churches and
large number of private dwellings Market street
at a right angle with the river, has become quite
thoroughfare and Is q good business street.
The streets wet Of Fourth aud those running to the
river. mostly occupied by dwellings, workshops,
Sc tho principal business streets being those above
named.
The extent Of the district burnt down cannot yet
be known. nasmuch as the fire was still raging at the
those accounts the whole riverfront Of warehouses,
from Locust street to Chestnut three squares
destroyed; aud extending to Main street, the flames
swept both sides to Market streetcrossng to Second
street diagonally; thence taking course southwark
More than mile in length by three blocks in width,
of the Of the city been waste and the
fire will probably continue until 1t reaches st. George
The City Hall is pine building standing on the edge
Of the river being commanding sight on approaching
the city In steamboat We glad to learn that this
building, though often in danger, saved. There
are numerous other public buildings forming great
ornaments to this wonderful city Of which, as we
have far learned, have been injured. These build
ings are
The ST. Louis Cathedral is alarge and splendid edi-
fee, ON Walnut street. between Second and Third The
building is one hundred and thirtysx feet long, fifty
eight Get WIDE and the walls forty feet high, above
which the tower, twenty feet square, rises to the
height Of forty feet surmounted by an octagon spire
covered with tin crowned by gilt ball five feet in d
ameter, above which gilt brass cross ten feet high
The front Of the cathedral is Of polished rea stone
with portico Of four massive Doric columns. The in
terror Is handsomely furnished and contains several
elegant paintings by celebrated masters
The Third Presbyterian Church, on Sixth street.
Franklin avenue is agreat ornament to that part
of the city The building is of brick and has hand
spire, two hundred feet high, well-propor
toned front, and commodious basement for lecture
rooms, &c The interior walls and ceiling splen
didy painted in fresco and 1t u.s. altogether beautiful
church.
The Court House is of the finest cdihces Of the
kind in the country The whole building presents the
form Of Greek cross, with projecting coonnades
the sides of entrance IL IL built Of brick covered
has the appearance Of Eastern granite In the centre
of the building is spacious rotundo, used for public
meetings, and capable of holding a great number Of
persons. This rotundo is surmounted by well-pro
portioned dome. which may be seen at considerable
distance down the river and adds much to the beau
The Planters House is for many reasons, honor
to st. Louis Aside from the beauty and magnitude of
the edce the house is kept in style unsurpassed by
any hotel in the country and which has gained for It
the reputation of being by far the best hotel in the
from Fourth Fifth streets and the front extends the
whole length Of the square from Chestnut to Pine 20
feet The building Is Of brick, five stories high,
tans $50 rooms and cost about tive hundred thousand
dollars.
structure handsomely adorned with paintings, and at
Tackled to the st Louis University.
In the accounts published hitherto of the fire. it
said that a MIR. Thomas b. Fargo auc tioneer had
been killed This Immediately discovered to be1a
mistake 1t was Mr.. Targee of ST. Louis, and head Of
the Fire Department enterprising and well known
citizen OF st Louis, originally of New York