The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-04-02
CALHOUN. KY, March 30, 1867.

Editors Journal N-e4 a
A trip up Green River at present
will arouse the strongest sympathles
for the suffering of the people. The
whole country has been flooded, as all
do know, and is still under water.
The food is subsiding butslowly, and
| it will be impossible for the people
along the river to put their farms in
| order this seasonal least, early
enough for crop. The current in
thefriver is so rapid that it greatly
retards the ascent of steamers; in
fact, old steamboatmen say that it is
more rapid than ever before known.
The Plain City left Evansville, on
Thursday evening about Z, o'clock
reaching this place at 2 P. NJ, on the
following day, SO papid was the cur
rent that no better time could be
made. siIs4s5a -
For six weeks the people on the low
lands have lived as best they could in
the water. To form correct idea of
the distress occasioned by the high
water, you will have to see the coun-
try along the river, as it would almost
be out of the question to describe the
suferings. but they may be briefly
summed up thus: The people are out
of almost everything except the water,
and, though consummation devoutly
to be wished, they are bat slowly get
ting out of that Perhaps ones case
will give a closer idea of what those
people have had to endure. About
ten or fifteen miles below this place,
the water has breadth of at least ten
miles, it is said. Near the bank of
the river, or the place where the bank
was, family was observed occupying
small knowl not to exceed an area
of haif an acre. On this spot, which was
of course all mud, the family had saved
part of their personal effects-some
ten or fifteen head of cattle, and as
many hogs, together with household
goods, made up the sum total. The
people were living in open air-no
covering except the canopy of Heaven
and had been long exposed to all
this horrid weather. This picture
will suffice to give your readers an
idea of what sufferings the people
have had toendure. The destruction
of property is almost incalculable.
About seven miles below this place,
on Friday. the Robert Fulton" a
powerful tow boat, and the PLAIN
City," collided, but with no serious re-
suits. The guard on the bow of the
Plain City was stove in. and one
plank in her hull broken, but fortu-
nately it was above water, else the
boat. with such a hole in her hull,
would have sunk at once, and per-
haps several lives would have been
lost, as there were many passengers
on board. It is possible that the col
lision could not have beer
avoided. but it did not appear
SOC The boats were rounding
a sharp point in a quick bend in the
river, both holding to the point, and
were not to exceed seventy-fve yards
apart at the time of whistling. The
Plain City whistled for the point, and
the Fultons answered to- give the
point, but whether the boat, which
had barge of coal in tow, was un-
manageable, or the pilot became con-
fused, is not known. Finding that
the Fulton could not or would not
give the point, the Plain City backed
as fast as possible, held her head
square for the Fulton, and thus with
terrible crash the boats came to-
gether. The danger presented itself
and was passed in less than three
minutes. It was most fortunate
move on the part of the Plain City,
for had she struck the barge, or com
tinued her speed, the Fulton would
hayerun through her, and her cargo go.
which was large, and boat would
probably would have proved total
loss, astthe river is said to be deem at
all places in that vicinity.
Calhoun and Rumsey both bear
evidences of the late fearful struggle
at arms II will be long before this
people will fully recover, and many
are gloomy and Respondent. Both