The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-06-13
Tremendous Overnov!!

The Rise Of 1928 Surpassed Immense Destruc-
ton Of Property Dealings Deserted-Disds-
frous Effects Of the Flood Above and Be1op-
The Channel Of the Mississippi PROBABLY
Changed!!!
The sodters are upon us, We write amid a
scene of confusion and excitement seldom wit
messed. All the business portion of our town
except one or two houses is covered with wal er
deep enough to afford passage for steamboats,,
The condition Of affairs is beyond description,
and can only be realized by being seen. The
Flood Of, 44Swas nothing in comparison with
the present. and as nearly as it can now be as
certained the memorable rise of 1928 failed of
reaching the present mark.
On Thursday last the water commenced food
ing the lowest portions of the fat-and the re-
port was brought us by Captain Harris, of the
DR.. Franklin, of very heavy rise coming down.
BY Friday morning the water had risen several
inches, and every exertion was made to secure
the grain and other property from any injury
that might result from the continuation of the
rise. The water, however rose 80 rapidly rs to
cause the destruction of large quantities Of por-
duce. Many Of those suffering from the effects
of the flood are farmers who had grain stored
here in sheds, and who, in spite of every exer-
ton have sustained heavy losses
Throughout the whole Of Saturday, the work
of salvage was carried on with renewed activity.
During the evening and night the river COM
meuced rising more rapidly than ever, while a
heavy thcnder storm roaring and crashing around
added TO the already gloomy prospects.
On Sunday the town presented a scene of bus
tie and activity Families, driven from their
tenements by the encroaching waters, were de-
sorting their homes and seeking refuge in the
upper part Of town-for in this case the home
stead exemption law failed to secure them in the
undsturbed possession of their property.
On Monday the water was still coming up,
and it was found necessary to remove all the
household goods and considerable quantities Of
merchandise to higher ground. Wagons, skifs,
and rafts, were occ Ipied all day in conveying
men and merchandise f-om point to point.
At this moment monday evening" the en-
tire bottom presents spectacle of devastation
From the bank of where the river used to was,
to the foot Of the sand ridge, the water ia from
four to five feet deep, and is standing from ten
to fifty inches deep in the houses west of the
east side Of Second street, south Of and incud-
ing Spectator Row, and the whole Of the fiat
south of the Post Office. In our press room
the water is over twenty FIVE inches deep. The
farms along the bottom Of the ridge are CON-
pletely nundated--nnd many Of the fences have
disappeared Several hundred cords of wood
have been washed down stream. The distlery
premises are under water, and operations GUS
pended. Messrs NOR will sustain quite a loss
by damaged corn.
Just as we are putting up this hurrygra phi, a
fiatboat is passing up First street laden with
severa hundred sacks of grain--and others nrc
loading at different warehouses. Lumber yards
ara being Aoated inland, or staked down to keep
them fast RATS and boats are plying every
where--and men are wading shoulder deep from
house to house-S Louis Union.