The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-04-16
nrenk b the Miami Cnnnl.

MNENA N Tue NAiAilAA CuuhAs
IaRaaati0N Of the House of RsfKgs-NUTOu
Escaps Of As ChtdTeB--GTeat Destruction
0fPr0peyty.
About o'clock this morning some tweuty
feet Of the west bank Of the Miami Canal ad
joining the enclosure Of the House Of Refuge
gave way, and with it about fifty feet Of thl
stone wall which surrounds this public edi
ficee. The water from the canal instantly com
menced flowing into the enclosure, aud thu
ground having heavy descent, the breach en-.
lurged very fast.
The House Of Refuge is entirely surrounded
by a massive stone wall, which held the water
and in a very few minutes the first story Of
the main building was titled with water to the
depth Of four feet. In this story q boys and
/ 8 girls were fastened in their sleeping apart
ments, and were only awakened by the rush of
water around their beds.
Mr.. Rufus Hubbard, the Superintendent and
Miss Carter, the Matron, and the other officers
Of the house, we're awakened by the falling Of
the wall. aud without knowing the precise ma
ture 81 the difficulty, Immediately set to work
with the greatest to relieve the children
rem on the first floor from their perilous situa-
tion. Miss Carter Mrs. Steward, and other
ladies Of the house, waded into the water, un-
fastened the doors Of the sleeping apartments,
and carried the girls one by one to place Of
safety. The greatest danger was in the north
wing Of the house, where the water flowed
through with great rapidty. Mr.. Hubbard,
and the other gentlemen about the house waded
| almost up to their necks in the water forced
open the doors, and saved the boys, who but
moment before seemed doomed to death. Too
much praise cannot be given Mr.. Hubbard and
Miss Carter and their assistants for their prompt
ness and courage. The screams Of the children
thrOught the house, and the roar Of the water
rushing throughout the buildings, were frightful
and under the circumstances it appears almost
miraculous that no lives were lost.
About O'Clock, the south half Of the west
wall Of the enclosure was forced down by the
heavy pressure Of the water. This relieved thI
house from immediate danger. The water forced
its way with great velocity westwardly to Mill
cred naking breach about forty feet widl
and isp feet deep in the turnpike, opposite the
House Of Refuge. A vast amount Of fencing
was oasried off into Millcreek. The water con.
tinned flowing from the Hcanal until about
O'Clock this morning, when it was shut off from
above.
The House Of Refuge sustains an injury oi
from 10000 to $4,000. The mail building
is much damaged in the first story, but can
soon be put in good order. Some fears are en-
tertained of the rear building, used as a din
ing and school room. The water flowed
through the cellar with great velocity for some
time, and it is supposed has injured the foRn-
dstion. The grounds, which have been lately
graded and laid out in platS, are much cut up
and Injured. The steam works, by which the
building is heated, cooking done, &c., are rem
dered useless, which will greatly incOnveni-
ence the operations Of the house.
About $400 worth Of broom corn and all the
provisions about the house were destroyed, and
the supply Of water entirely cut off.
While we were upon the ground this morn
ing, the children were engaged, under the di.
rectioR OF the Superintendent and Matron, in
citahing out the various apartments. 1t will
be some time before the operations Of the house
will be completely restored.
WIN. P. SrRATToN, Esq, one Of the Board
Of Directors Of the institution, was on the
ground early this morning, and rendered much
assistance. Council meets to- night, and will
will probably take measures to repair the dam
age.
The damage to the bank of the canal is about
$500. 1t will be repaired as soon as possible,
probably in week. Mr.. Fells, the superin-
4 tendsnt, was on the ground th 8 morning to ex-
anime the break and make preparations for the
refilling.
The cause Of the break, we presume, was the
spongy nature Of the ground. The bank Of
the canal have given way twice before, near the
same plaee.