, 1874-02-14
WASHED OUT.

Damage Done by tho Flood In tho
West Division.
T1e northwestern portion OF the city, especial
Il the territory bordering upon aud in part COM
pretending the Fifteenth Ward, is being visited
By an inundation that causes the most thorough
Inconvenience, not to say actual suffering, to the
residents in that locality. The flood began it's
encroachments Thursday, and Was caused by the
gndden'thawing Of the vast quantities Of snow
and ice which laid on the surface. The continued
aud severe rain-stor1n of Thursday night in-
creased the volume OF water 30 rapidly
that it was with the utmost difficulty,
approaching the hazardous, that tho occupants
of the numerous tenenient-houses III that Vlcln-
ity in company with their wcalthier neiglbors,
escaped drowning. The main sewers in that
portion Of the city commence at the corner OF
Division street and Milwaukee avenue, md are
the outlet for the more contracted channels in-
tended to carry oil tre water, but which are ut
terry inadequate for the purposes for which they
were intended, and this is, in great
measure, the cause OF the present
calamity. The principal streets embargoed
BY the flood nre Division. Fry, and Dudley
Streets together with Milwaukee avenue.
angle bounded by this avenue, Division and Au-
gustx streets are submerged at q depth OF from
one to three feet, Jane, Newton, Samuel, aus-
ton. and Macedonia streets ara more or less IN
undated, with here and thcre dry patcn Oh
ground that has escaped the common fate. Water
is everywherc,-in the dwellings, the stores,
shops, and saloons. So rapidly did the calamity
oyettake the scene OF its present 1ocation, that
the inhabitants were obliged TO fee without say
ing anything, and in ecme cases leaving their
most valued household goods to welcome the in
truder. The basement Of Kurth's Building, at
the corner OF Fig street and Milwaukee avenue,
Is miniature sea- 1t is occupied IS saloon,
and the beer-kegs float hither and yon at will.
The tables and chairs look as fo1lorn as
they are deserted, and the throng OF
Teutons who were wont to gather nightly
in this retreat viewed the intrusion with des-
perate calmness, mingled with expressions sug~
.gestire to draw it mildly, Of the chagrin they
felt A barber-shop on the opposite corner will
not afford it's patrons their usual Saturday
nights tongorial recuperation, for it pays tribute
to the food. 4 baker shop near by is empty and
deserted and its contents one pulpy mass OF
paste. courageous knealer Of dough attempted
to wade through the flood, for the purpose OF
delivering food to customer.sHe escaped being
drowned by his agility and knowledge OF the art
OF swimming, but his bread waB cast upon the
waters with no prospect of it's return after many
days. Mr. Kurth looks on at the ruin wrought
in bis domcile, and is resigned to q disaster be
could not guard against nor by any means STOP
The people, though unable to reach the stores
ne iberallv provided by their Samaritan friends
who are not similarly Affected. The damage
cannot be estimated at present, but it will hkely
be considerable. 4 few days pleasant weather
Ill restore the inundated section to its ordinary
condition, and it is to be hoped that measures
viii be inAu9urated at onca to prevent its xepe-
thou.