The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-06
THE FLOOD IN THE MISS. sslPPI.
The Government Csfier Dam nj Moline Broken
Away-The Water Power Territory Flooded
About $4,000 Worth OF Damagcs-Eiuu-
dreds Of Men Out OF Employment.

About $4,000 Worth of Damngcs-Huu-
dreds of Men Dat Of Employment.
From the Davenport Qowa) Gazette Oct IL
The great rise in the Mississippi-the greatest
ever known at this time OF the year-has at last
been characterized by disaster at this point; disas-
Ter which months cannot repair which is at least
throws hundreds OF men out OF employment, when
employment is deslderatnm because OF the near
the scene Of disaster. To-day the whole extent Of
It's territory is one rushing flood.
Most OF our city readers understand the situa-
ton OF AFFAIRS at the water power work previous
to the flood. Golfer dam had been thrown
across the "south channel" as 1t is called on
government maps, from near the south side OF the
head OF the island to point few rods above the
Moline woollen mill. About seven-elghths OF mile
below this another dam, at which was placed
All engine and pump, which, in the course of a few
weeks, lifted the water from the space between the
DAMS where It had flowed for untold ages and left
the entire bed OF the river there dry empted
puddle Then work progressed on the great stone
dam, little to the south side Of this enclosed space
aud designed to run the entire length or It, A
number OF huge derricks and b0oms were erected.
Three hundred laborers and over nlty teams,
were engaged in pushing forward this great gov
eminent work. Besides, the Moline Water Power
s above I the lower 1e Ga wien %
ton OF having 1t answer its purpose until the
government should erect more enduring
one eight or ten years hence. In this water
clearing away the top so and other necessary work
in levelling the bottom, 30 as to allow steady and
sure flow OF water for power In low water seasons,
had been done. Everything looked like progress In
the great work. and was thought the LIST Of Decem
Der would see the main wall OF the dam, nom the
bulkhead to the upper Golfer dam, about CON-
pIeted.
The upper Golfer dam was originally built with
reference to the depth OF four I've feet OF aer
which prevails In moderate seasons at the place OF
1ta site. But the strange freaks Of swelling which the
Mississippi has INDUCED IN at most unreasonable
times since spring compelled the eicvatng and
strengthening Of the dam till 1t was ten Twelve
feet high from the river bed The remarkable
during the last eight days caused General R0dman
to take extraordinary precautionary measures with
the dam. Since Saturday last re avs OF men have
worked night and Gay In strengthening the dam IN
ITS resistance to the mighty pressure which was
threatening It. on Wednesday the water rose
very rapidly. and the force OF laborers was doubled,
and q strict watch was kept on Wednesday night;
but at haipast eleven IN the night small leak was
discovered near the top Of the oam about seventy
i've feet from the Illinois shore Immediate Efforts
were made by the night gang TO stop 1t; but the
water was resistlcss. In n few minutes the dam
gave way near the ehore aud the water rushed
through with tremendous power, carrying away
more dam, ant, like swollen torrent, sweeping
everything before it. lhe gieat noise was very
peculiar one. At first II was like the blowing or
steam from the boilers or a steamboat; then there
was o roar like That OF young Niagara, which
gradually toned down to the sound Of Niagaras
ragids. Hundreds Of people ~ Moline were aroused