The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-08-01
T Of the WoRKmexAS's ADVOCATE.

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To TIE Editor Of the woRKmexAx's ADVOCATE
TUE CHEAT FLOOD
After period Of excessively hot weather,
this city and surrounding country was visit
ed BY q succession of copious rains, COM
mencing at one O'Clock, Tuesday morning,
the 2lst inst, and continuing at intervals
during the day. Wednesday and Thursday
were clear, bright, sunshinlng days; but
Friday opened with heavy, dark clouds,
With occasional lightning ani thunder and
about eight o'clock A. NJ, it commenced
raining, and continued increasing with in
tensIty, until about ten O'Clock, when il
seemed a. IL the heavens opened and emp
Tied its waters on the city and vicinity, caus-
ing the greatest flood that has ever been
known in this city and surrounding country
The scene In the city battles description.
The water came rushing down the falls in
immense volume and fearful velocity, sweep
ing before it all the bridges, eighteen in
number, from Eagar street to the mouth Of
the fails which emPues into the basin. The
water Immediately commenced spreading,
and increasing in volume, until 1T submerg-
ed all that section Of the city to the depth
Of from ten to twenty feet, submering the
second stories Of many of the dyellings, the
occupants barely escaping with their lives
Ii less "a life in the city ia inconsiderable,
amounts to rot more than four or five per-
sons, but the accounts 50 far as heard from
the country indicate fearful loss Of life
from EIlicot city alone, which lies on the
PataPsico falls it is reported that fifty lives
were lost, and the rumors afloat, many Of
which are greatly exaggerated, yet too many
fear are too true, indicate still greater
loss Of life. The loss OF property in the
city is very great, in some cases running as
high as SIS, goo and $4,000 Many poor
people have lost all they possess, and are
left homeless. No adequate idea, as yet,
can be formed Of the loss suffered, but il is
supposed it win exceed millions OF dollars.
The loss in the country also must be i'm
mense. All kinds Of furniture came sweep
ing down with the angry current which at
one time was estimated BY sea faring men
to be running at the rate of twenty five miles
an hour.
Were it not for the timely precaution OF
Of Police Commissioner Case, the loss Of
life in the submerged section would have
been fearful. Seemins to comprehend the
danger adVaucing, ne scrured ali the boats
that were accessible and fought them to the
vicinity OF the food, and detailed force to
take charge Of and man them, he himself
jumping into one and assisting those IN most
eminent danger. 10 this way many persons
were taken from the second story OF their
houses- In his humane efforts to save the |
lives OF others, Commissioner Case came
pigh loosing his own. The boat (which he
was IN, was partially cap7ized, and he and
two Of the men In It were thrown into the |
furious current. He vas seen to 20 down |
with the stream and FOR time was supposed |
70 be drowned,-but be was subsequently, |
rescued and again engaged tho direction Of I
the life saving corps.
At one point of the falls gentleman re-
moved his family, seven in number. from his
own dwelling to that of his neighbor, taking
refuge on the roof Of the same. Not manV
minutes after the building was swept away.
precPltating the entire family inlo the
steam. Il is not known whether any e.
raped or not. On Mr.. Ross Winan's farm
lnree young men vent out to an adjacent
STAND 20 secure boat that was in danger Of
Deing swept away BY the current. They
we're ooiised to climb o. tree for safety. 4 +