Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-03-15
Flood and Loss Of Life In the Dcs Meines.

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The Keokuk papers bring as the intelligence that
At the breaking IN Of the ice in the Des Moines du
ing the previous week heavy gorge was formed
between Big and Little Yellow hanks. This caused
the water to back up great distance overlooking
the banks and devastating and inundating farms
and houses in its track. This happened on the 2sth
ult. The Inhabitants above, not anticipating the
of the rise and not experimenting serious dan
ger, remained in fancied security until after night
fall Of that day. Discovering strong current run
ming up stream the families of Mr. Frederick and Mr.
Cross, on Section Z. of the Des Noines improve
n,eEt and about seven miles from Keokuk, attempted
to make their escape in a canoe to the highlands.
Finding that they could not all reach the shore in SO
frail bark against the current and floating timber,
it was determined to leave Mr. Cross and wife and
two children on log while Mr. Frederick with his
family should 60 on. Mr. F. and family reached the
shore with much difficulty, being almost frozen.
Mr. Frederick being unable to 60 back, Mr. CoLvIS,
contractor Sec. T. set out in the canoe to rescue
Mr. Cross and his family. After much difficulty he
reached them with the canoe. He found them suf-
fering intensely from wet and cold. After taking
them into the canoe he set out for the shore-Mr
Cross sitting in the bow of the canoe facing to the
front, Mrs Cross and the two children, four and
the other one and half years old, in the centre, and
Mr. Colvin in the stern. Mr. Cross in his eagerness
to expedite the passage, caught hold of the limbs Of
trees during their progress. Mr. Colvin begged him
to desist and told him of the consequences. Not
withstanding this caution, he again seized limb
the bow was pulled down stream-the canoe struck
saplng, took in water-and, during the excitement
so much alarmed Mrs C. her husband and the chill
dren, as to upset the boat. The parents took each
child and chung to the branches of small hack
berry sapling. Mr. Colvin finding he could not re-
gain the CANOE caught hold OF branch, pulled him
self to the body of the sapling and seating himself
astride Of small limb directed the parents to pass
to him the children, and that he would endeavor to
save them, but that the parents must take care of
themselves. The children were handed to him; and
he placed them in his lap. This was at about eight
O'Clock at night and cold that none could remain
out Of doors without suffering.
The parents were stin clinging to the branches Of
the saping, with their feet in the water. Mr. Col
win made known their situation to the people ON
shore. A float Of timber was made and with it an
effort to reach them. The current caused it to pass
about 40 feet below the sufferers. In this situation
they had remained for about hour and half when
Mr. Crosse grasp gave way and he fell into the water.
In about an hour and half after this Mrs Cross,
unable any longer to hold on, sunk into the water.
BY this time the and legs Of the children had
frozen stiff although Mr. Colvin continued to rub
and encourage them. Notwithstanding these efforts,
both children died in his arms. At about O'Clock
Mr. C. began to fear that he too would perish. As
the people on shore would leave their fires and come
out from their houses occasionally, Mr. Colyin
made them acquainted with his situation. Ac-
cording to the advice of those on shore he Drop
ped the bodies Of the children in the and rails
ed himself to his feet limb, and by kicking and
stamping ana thus keeping his blood in circulation,
he succeeded in maintaining his position until
O'Clock the next morning, when he was rescued
from his perilous position by oat, constructed Of
two cabin doors pinned together. Mr. C's voiun-
tary suffering in behalf Of this lost family should
not 90 unrewaried. Why they did not build large
fire on shore and make greater efforts at a rescue
we cannot imagine. We think the whole might have
been saved.