The New York herald., 1851-08-25

Storm and Flood at the West.
TERRIBLE FLOOD AT MUscATINE, IowA-GREAr DE-
sTRucr1oN OF PRoPERY AND Loss OF LIE.
tFrom the Burlington (Iowa) Telegraph, Aug I2l
On last night, lUlL instant, The most terrible ca
amity, in its destruction of fife and property, that
has ever visited this community, was occasioned by
a sudden and unprecedented freshet in Pappoose
Creek, ordinarily insignificant stream, which
runs about centrally through this city. We retired
about ten o'clock, with not the slightest appear
ance Of an unusual storm. About twelve o'clock
it began to rain, and from that time until four
o'clock the water fell in unceasing torrents accom-
panied by fearful flashes Of electricity and deafcn
ing bursts o: thunder The stream above imed rose
with fearful rapidity to height unknown in the
memory Of white men, becoming a broad and
furious torrent, sweeping away houses, fences and
bridges before it. Near Sixth street, small frame,
occupied by an industrious widow woman, who sup
ported herself and three small children by her own
excrtioLs, was surrounded by the food on the xer
side sixty feet in width, and four or five feet doep
The cries of the unfortunate woman, who sc ems to
have slept In inconsistencies, aroused her nearest
neighbors. but they could render no assistance.
She had got out of the window, and was supposed,
in the darkness to be the roof with her children
and her screams, aud the cries of her babes heard
in the gloom, amidst the roar of the food were
heart-rendDg to the powerless spe :tators. large
tree torn up from its roots and fragments of build
inGs and drift wood, swept down with violence
against her trail home 1t stood the shock, but it
II inferred that al this juncture, the poor woman
osing her presence of mind, and unable to hear
what was said from the shore, attem pied to stem
the food, ard escape with her babes. This ac. was
her destruction-all persisted, the mother and ber
three children. Her body was found, when light
came, partially buried in the huge drift wood, on
Fifth street, one hundred and thirty yards below
her dwelling.
The culyert and a part of the embankment on
Cedar and Fourth, was swept away. The same oc.
CURED at the crossing Of Third and Sycamore, and
on Second street, leaving at each place impossible
chasms in the artificial embankments, and cut
ting of all communications excent on ..,u,,,
between the north and enuth Il
city. Crossing was done at the mouth of Pap
poose early this morning. The embankment
and dam on Sycamore and Fourth, Is partially gone
l,esving chasm fifteen feet wide and ~enty deep.
L he emoankme nj on the avenue at Third is par
tally gone, leaving it in an impossible condition
The foundations for three four large buildings on
the corner Of Avenue and Third are entirely destroy
ed nc brick opposite the American stable was sur
rounded BY the Hood and the earth in front of the
corner tenement was washed away to the depth OF
six or eight feet. Mr.. McCauley, who occupied il.
vacated II IN the midst Of the Storm wi n his fami
lures.
The dam near Purcels, on Third and Spruce. il
torn completely away, and considerable damage
done to fen,cs, &c in that quarter. The houses
standing, in the fiat, between Second md Third.
Just above Sycamore, were Hooded-thc inhabitant,
escaping from the first story of the house on Third
through the rear windows. and took shelter with
ne family in the second story; their bedding, fur
iiture, &c., are much injured.
The family in the frame house near Second. !
'roused their neighbors by their cries. and the /
yemen and children were rescued By being borne
Q dry lard, on the shoulder, Of men, If this house
1ad stood IN the current, the inmates must have
perished, as no man could and In IL at the deptb
'f four feet. As IL was, all their household furni
lure is wet and injured
We vent with mu n anxiety % Mad Creek, ex.
rec;ng TO find bridge, dyke and all gone The
water bad poured over the whole face Of the hat,
doing much damage TO private property. Ia the \
vicinity OF the mills. innumersble small 6sh were
tffa wfwx Ia H.. In -
Hood. The bridge and dyke stood fast. To oar
huge rat Of square timber which \
was made fact by two strong cables to the tim bers
below, and not less than 2oo logs, were jammed
Inder and against the upper side.
The works on Mad Creek and the embankment
u Ummed's, and that aross Third, below Avenue.
lone remain Of all the work which has been done
n the several streams and ravines for years.
One half Of the citizens are cut of from all COM
nunication. except foot, with the business part
c the city.
Thousands ofpersons-mcn women. and children.
Iere 70 be seen this morning. along Psppoose en-.
aged in searching for the dead, and surviving the
'recks Of houses, bridges, fences, &c.
ne large trees which stood near the mouth Of
ne creek are torn up by the roots and cas-. into the
sii''ns'ppi, ~ while Piles Of timber, lumber, dim,
ood. Richman < Williams new brick building
y the bridge, on Second street, we believe is in.
ured frccinan's furniture warehouse, lust below
ne bridge, just stands, and that's all. Ten thou
fHt tamaEt uOuc 10 the
ublic works alone. This, together with the loss
y four human lives and much private property.
makes last nights misfortunes the heaviest and
iircst calamity which has ever btfallen any West
IN town Of our population.
DI>TRiCffFE STORM AT IT. fot-fs 40
FROM the 81 Louis Republican Au9 1t1
our cty was visited. ycssordsy afternoon. by
orhado, as disastrous In s We believe
. any one OF the many which have prevailed recent
y IN various parts Of the country The iniurv to
rorery was extensive, and the loss 10 will
rove pToportonsbly severe. The forenoon and earlv
art ofthe afternoon had bcon clear and opp-esnvely
ultry. AT quarter to Eve o'clock however. tha
kics be ame suddenly cloudel and we were visited
by heavy shower Of rain, and a So
oie wind storm. In the southern part OF the citv.
s,art from Biddlc street, the hloe was hard ani
Ie shower copious, but unattended BY any mischiov
NJ consequence Tho tornado passed moth ~
ldc street, TO Bremcn and above. In the little
me that was left Us for inquiry, between its aub-
5cnce and nightfall could Of course for n but
nited idea Of the full extent ef damage done. We
We, hovcver, such particulars as we succee led ia
oioining.
Alorg the levoe, and at the shore above, the
mmoton ar-ong tbc boats was indeed alarming
,se steneis Plan'sr, Alcck Scott, and Westorn
I, y ~ were broken IRON their moorings. and car
- ~ ~ =. Vaf ous points below. The Planter lay near
I y ,h,igs mil, above the dock She had been
oVltvuehly oyerhauled aud the carpenters, we
% %s"fsahd, had almost finished their repairs ,
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