The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1858-08-05
4orat Matters.
Great Flood along the WapsipinicOn.--
Bridge Carried Away--.HOuses Sub
merged, sc.


Great Flood along the Wapsipinicon.-.
merged, sc.
A thunder storm, exceeding in violence
any that we can remember, passed over
this region on Friday night Of last week.
1t arose about eleven o'clock, and from
that time until daylight there poured one
incessant torrent of rain and hail upon
the already saturated earth. The heavens
were one continual glare of lightning,
and the startling conclusions and deep
rcyerberation of Misunderstanding both
to the grandeur and terror of the storm
drove sleep from the eyes of many be-
sides the nervous and timid.
So great was the quantity of water
which fell, that the river at this place
commenced to rise early on Saturday
morning, and accelerated by another vio-
lent storm on Saturday afternoon, contin-
ued to do so until about noon of Sunday,
when it had attained an altitude above
the highest previous point Of the present
year, Of about six feet. The total rise
from Saturday morning, was about 10
feet Tie water Naching within few in
ches of the highest point of our bridge,
and entirely covering the eastern end of
it. The bridge, however, was saved by
the timely exertions of our citizens, who
were busy, on Saturday evening and Sun
day morning, in piling rock upon it.
The water submerged rod or two of
Main Street, at the eastern end of the
bridge. filing the cellars in Aliens new
brick block, and flooding the two frame
buildings west of it, whose inmates were
forced to leave, with their furniture, in a
hurry. The one nearest.the river was
occupied by Mr.. BEMAN, as brewery,
who lost, we understand, considerable
amount Of beer, malt, DC. A fine new
wagon, belonging to him, also foated off
in the night, but since the subsistence of
the water has been found, lodged in tree,
a few rods below. Several houses on the
west side Of the river, W. hear, were
slightly submerged, but. we are happy to
say. the damage to our town is very
slight.
Our friends at Quasqueton were not so
fortunate. The bridge spanning the river
at that point was swept away, and the
mills to alarge extent, submerged-ruin-
ing some hundreds of bushels of wheat
for Mr.. DAVIS, which he had stored in
his -four asill. A number of saw logs, |
and a quantity of lumber and cord wood,
were carried down stream, as was also a
couple of stables, which stood close to
the bank Of the river. The dwellings of
Mr.. ELMIRE and Mr.. FALLEN, the wheel |
wright shop of the former, the black
smith shop of Mr.. MILLER, the livery
stable of Mr.. WILLIAMS, storehouse be-
longing to Mr. BENrHALL, and the store
of Mr.. JERNEGAN, were all more or less
submerged, as they stood close to the
rivers bank. The log-way to the mill of
our friend COULTER, was also carried
away, but was caught and hauled ashore.
The loss Of the bridge at that point is
a material loss, both to the people of
Quasqueton and the travelling public
1t will undoubtedly, however, be soon
replaced, as over $500, in money, labor
and materials, had been subscribed for its
re-erection, up to Monday noon. In the
meantime, Mr.. DAVIS, with his usual en-
ergy and liberality, is building ferry,
and will have it running by the first of
the coming week.
The damage to the crops, by the late
storm is very material, in this region
Wheat and Oats are badly knocked down,
and what the rust and blight has left un
done. this has, to large extent, finished.
Still, we have no doubt there will be
sufficiency for home consumption, and
that there is but little danger of much
suffering.
AT this time, Thursday the Wapsie
has got back into its proper limits, and
is flowing along as placid, sparkling and
beautiful as ever. Our bridge has been
partly repaired, the rock removed, and
travel, like the river, takes its usual
channel.
Unfortunate Casualty...Man Drowned.
IN CoturIox, 1oct tr,o x,,ou ,c~,oJ M