Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-03-20
IN CINCINNATI


We take the following graphic sketch
Of the flood in Cincinnati from the Com
naercial of the 18th:
Viewed from any elevated point in the
city. such as the roof of a building over
looking the river, or from the span Of
the suspension bridge, the flood at this
point is spectacle at once grand and
appalling 1t is said that first view OF
Niagara Falls disappoints the beholder
Ones pTeconceiyed ideas of that wonder
ful phenomenon invest it with inmen-
sity, sublimity and greatness; but it is
only long contemplation,o or the familiar
ity which thoughtful disposition estab-
lishes, that these qualities receive due
recognition, and the transcendent char
aeter of that mighty and perpetual flow
of water impresses itself upon the mind.
To those accustomed to take only a
passing casual glance at the moving
world around them, il may seem a little
OF Indifferent thing to look upon the wild
waste Of waters that prevail above, be-
fore, below and within the city at the
present high stage of the Ohio river, but
TO the poor dwellers upsn its shores
who have been literally flooded out Of
house and home, it is a calamity irreme-
diable.
The city, proper, does not begin to suf-
fer from the flood above the confluence
of Deer creek with the Ohio, although
the lower chambers of the water works
are so far encrOaehed upon that with
each revolution Of the wheels of the old
and lowly situated engines, a shower Of
spray is produced by their action in the
turbid BACK water,
Filling Deer creek as far up SIS the hos
pital Of the Good Samaritan, and chang
ing the ordinary sanguinaTy, or cholera
colored hue Of that abominable duct the
Ohio river water may be dipped almost
as pure as it is in the channel, quarter
of a mile up the creek from its cOntu-
enee, and as far as it has reached, il has
carried damage TO property and annoy
ance to property holders. From that
point down, and all along the city front,
immense damage and inconvenience are
apparent. ali the cellars from Butler
street down to the foot of Mill street are
filled with water, aud the unusual sights
Of steamboats, receiving and discharging
freight at the very doors Of Front street
commission houses, may be seen even
before the fall " has beconra desirably
low to-day.
The squares running east from Broad
way to Lawrence street, and that be-
tween Main and Walnut streets, on
| Front street, are submerged full story,
the ceilings being 30 lovingly licked by
| the ebb and flow, as to present NO further
| traces OF last summers "fiy-time."
The surface OF the broad stream pre-
sents fretted and turbid appearance,
which is varied and rendered occasion
ally picturesque by the arrival down
ward of suggestive wooden structures,
which, in the normal condition of the
Ohio river, would be seen In golden plats
| and back yards OF suburban residences
| above the city.
AZ the press OF the suspension bridge
1 the current is very strong and dangerous,
| and thousands OF people have congre-
gated at the foot Of Vine street to take a
| i,ok as il sweeps past with Irresistible
| forca Enormous quantities of drift
wood fioat down and dash against the
masonry OF the bridge but the counter
current produced By the abutments is SO
searching that lodgment is not per.
noitted Tor the delight and precarioJs
| 1ro6t of the skiffmen who obtain en-
,nlovment and living by catching it.
The gas works present the next salient
,,oint ~ interest, for fears were enter.
tained that the flood might break through
or surnouut ths barriers OF the riveI
'front.' and the grand source OF cur artifi
cisi light become effectually extin
gnisbed. Had the river risen three ol
Senr feet more, yesterday, the dem ant
- ooel oil and candles would certainly
haz,a r,raiuced a corresponding riRe II
j nc nrtces of these commodities /; but !
did not. end every hour now remove
the threatened danger.
The Ohio and Mississippi track, alonl