The Arkansas banner., 1849-04-10
Flood and Loss of Life in the Des Moinss.

Flood and Loss of Life in the Des MOinss. | The keokuk papers bring us the Intelligence that, at the breaking up of tue ice in the Des Moines, during the previous week. heavy gorge was formed between Big and Little Yellow banks This caused the water to back up great distance, Overfowing inc banks, and devastating and inundatng farms in it's track This happened on the 18th ult. The inhabitants above, not anticipating the cause of the rise, and not apprehending serious danger, remained in fancied security until after Dghtfal of that day Discovering strong current running np stream, the families of MT, Frederick and Mr. Cross, on section seven of the Des Mones improvement. and about seven miles from Keokuk, attempted to make their escape in a canoe, to the high lands. Finding that they could not all reach the shore in frail barque, against the current and floating timber, it was determined to leave Mir. Cross and wife, aud two children log, while Mr. Frederick aud his family should 20 MT. F. and family reached
 the shore with much difficulty. being almost frozen
 Mir Frederick being unable to go back. MT. Col win, contractor onssection -, set out in the canoe to rescue MT. Cross and his family. After much difficulty, he reached them with the canoe He found them suffering intensely from wet and cold After taking them into the canoe. he out for the shore--Mr Cross sitting in the bow of the canoe facing 10 the front; Mrs. Cross and the two chill dren, enc four and the other one and half years old, in the center, and Mir. Covin in the stern MT. Cross in his eagerness to expedite the passage, caught hold of the limbs of trees during their pro- gress. MT. ColVin begged him to desis,. aud told him of the consequences Notwithstanding this caution, he again seized limb--the bow pulled down stream-the canoe struck sapling, took in water, and, during the excitement, much alarmed Mrs. C.. her husba ua and the children, upset the boat. Tue parents took each child apd chung to the branches of small blackberry sapIing MT. Colvn, finding that he could not regain the canoe. caught hold of branch, pulled himself to the body of the sapliHg; seated himself astrde of limb and directed the parents to pass 10 him the children and he would eadeavos te-sars them, but that tAs pa- rents must take care Of themselves The children handed to him. and he placed them in his lap. This was about eight o'clock at night, and cold that none could TemaiR out of doors without suf- fen.ng
 The parents were still ehnging to thc branches of
 the sapling. with their feet in the water. Mir. Col win made known their situation to the people on shore. 4 float of timber was made, and with it ar attempt made to reach them. The current caused it to pass about forty feet below the sufferers In this situation they had remained for about an hour and half. when Mr. Cress's grasp gave way. and he fel! into the water. By this time the arms and legs of the children had frozen stiff. although MT Covin continued to rub and encourage thent Not withstanding these efforts both children died in his arms. At about two o'clock Mir. c. began 10 fear that he too would perish As the people on shore would leave their fires and come out occasionally Mir Colvu made them acquainted with his sitaa- lion According to the advice of those shore, ho dropped the bodies of the children in the water raised himself to his feet limb, and, by kicking and stamping, and keeping his blood in circulation. he succeeded in maintaining his position until six o'clock next morning, when he was relieved from his perious position by float, constructed of two cabin doors. pinned together, Mir. C.'s voluntary suffering in behalf of this lost family should not bs unrewarded. Why they did not build large fire on shere and make greater efforts at a rescue, we cannot imagine Wethink the whole might have been saved.- BaTiihgton Ha,ck Eye. l5th aLf.