The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-06-26
81, Y,..a :, ca,ro-f.,, Il la.,sl-I.ne.s.


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sas Lsss II Yrspessy.
IA correspondent Of tHs Chicago Times,
writing from Cairo, on Sunday, gives q
thrilling acoou,t Of the food which has
probably nearly destroyed that city:
Yesterday moFning a distinct shock Of an
earthquake was felt here, and at six O'Clock
in the evening, the 'scross leveo' broke,
when the wato, which was twelve or fifteen
feet above the town, outside, came dashing,
foaming and seething inside. The break
was 90 unexpected, that the inhabitants
were taken by surprise, and many OF them
only had time to escape with their families
to the levee, before the torrent swept away
their homes. In many instances boats and
RATS had to be resorted to for the means OF
escape. d." f.~#" R 't.<3 f5'R '-E-
Breakfast was servedto the guests Of the
Taylor House in the second story, knee
deep in water, tho culinary department be-
ing carried to the third! A few families
who resided in two story houses, remained
in them until noon Today. They now have
to get out of their up. stairs windows into
boats-the water being almost on level
with them, and rising ut the rate Of four
inches an hour. -" .'"t
The Ohio levee is tho only place Of refuge
left, it being only some seventy five feet
wide, and three-fourths Of mile in length;
and here ssmlxed" sight is presented to the
bcholder-every animate and inanimate
thing saved from the destroying element is
| seen. ..-- As. &.
All O'Clock, .. M, nearly one half Of the
unfinished hotol fell, preceded by report
equal to a six FOUNDER. The building was
Of brick, FIVE stories high, and cost nearly
100000. The remaining portion was con-
siderably swayed. Total loss.
Gov. Metteson's new bank building, five
stories high, also on the levce, shows signs
of falling. 1t is an unfinished building, and
cost about $75 900.
The "Sprinfeld Block" adjoining the
bank, still stands firm, but win probably
come down with a crash soon, as the water
is softening the ground at the foundation
Nine tenements are within this building all
occupied. The post Office is in one of them.
Cost some $30O, 900 or $400, 200.
A further rise Of two or three feet will
sweep silently over the site where Cairo
once stood, but where it will never stand
again forever!
A rumor is current that the levee was cut
by person living in Mound City, as he was
seen in the neighborhood Of the break very
short time after the water commenced run
ming in.
The railroad track has been washed away
north of the town, with considerable of the
trestle work. Passengers on l. G.. r. r.
are transferred to the Mound City train Of
the junction, at which place they take the
packet for this place.
Some three miles north, the Mississippi
sweeps across the Ohio river, with strong
current, which places this fated town on an
island in fact.
Mound City being on an elevation, has
Jared some better than her sister town; but
even there great portion Of the place is
submerged.
Every boat that leaves hero carries por-
ton Of the unfortunate inhabitants away
from their now desolate home. Many of
the business men ore made bankrupt by the
food.