The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-08-13
Iqfal MaAer,
THE FLOOD.
Heauiesi Rainfall ErT KnO'On in Canton
ereal DagIaqs - ana Ineidelll

Great Damage Dons-SeAes and Incidents,
The heaviest and most destructive rain
storm ever known in this locality de-
scended on Canton on last Saturday
morning-it came in torrents, with great
force, and had the land in and about
Canton been set upon edge, Us it is in
Pittsburgh, we should certainly be called
upon to chronicle as sad a catastrophe
as the one occasioned in that city by the
recent flood. For time the streets pre-
sented the appearance of turbulent rly-
ers, and wherever there was q slope the
water seethed and poured down IN the
manner OF mountain stream during Il
freshet; no obstructing object, however
ponderuus could check its maddened
flow. Cellars were changed to cisterns,
and people became greatly alarmed,
thinking they would be submerged or
swept away into eternity. One aged in
dividual was heard to eXclaim in an eX-
cited tone 81 might a lznowed it; they
said the comet would bump the airth
and now / know it have" Another de-
spairing Christian said, "Oh, why didn't
Ibuild an ark" but so far as personal
safety was concerned, their alarm was Of
but short duration.
Walnut street was doubtless the most
completely flooded thoroughtare in town
Us all the water came down from the
more elevated localities west and north,
and was turned into it. At some places
the water stood several feet in depth,
covering all the sidewalks and crossings,
filling cellars that were never before
dampened in a like manner, and I'M q
few instances flooding the floors of
houses to considerable depth, and Qf-
ter it had Nsdbsided, leaving carpet4ahd
floors covered with mud and dfifted
debris. There was so much water in
Ballard, Fast & Co.'s shops and engine
room that they were obliged to suspend
operations for time; Joseph BiChele, by
damaged material, lost from two to three
hundred dollars; the front of the foun-
dation wall of the new dwelling of
Philip Stuerhoff on Walnut near Ninth
street, was washed in, as also was that OF
Mr.. Simlers house on Poplar and North
streets.
Immediately after the rain had ceased
10 fall, James Lantz, who was at Biech-
ele's soap works, attempted to step on to
the plank crossing that spans the gutter,
or where he thought the crossing should
be; but through4a miscalculatiOn he
stepped into the gutter, and sank out oI
sight under the muddy waters. He soor
scrambled out wiser for his dampness,
At the South creek ventursome COW
attempted to cross the swollen stream
and, caught by the current, was carried
swiftly along as though she had been I
straw; but through desperate struggle
finally succeeded in gaining the bank, a
aconsiderable q distance from the point al
which her cruise began.
Many instances have been noted
where men wading along the streets
missed the crossings and stepped abrupt
ly into greater or less depth of water
The creek east and northeast of tow
was higher than it has ever been known
at one time the surface was but q few
inches from the railway bridge. Tn,
railway company kept body of men a
the bridge all day watching for an.
emergency and prepared for action
Boys were engaged at the same plac
fishing out sheaves of oats as they cam
surging against the bridge, and they sue
ceeded in obtaining great quantity
which had been washed from field o.
the farm of George Cook, a short dis
tance from the railway. In the sam
field was reaper, and the water was s
deep that nothing but one arm Of tn
reel could be seen above its surface.
The road from the city passing MI
Cooks farm on the south, was covere
for distance ofa hundred yards. Grea
quantities of drift-wood, consisting
fence boards, rails and saw-logs, cam
heaving down the creek, and lodgin
against the railroad bridge, was remove
by the men stationed there.
All through Saturday people in dittel
ent parts of the town were busy balm
or pumping water from their cellars, DIR!
ing carpets and repairing as well as po
sible the injury done. The effects OF tt
torrent are yet plainly visible in all d
rections in and out of town, and the pc,
pie may be thankful, and consider then
selves fortunate at having escaped vii
no greater damage; for had the lar
been more precipitous the danger wou
have been incalculable, even TO the 10
of life.
This season has been one Of create
disaster from heshets, bursting rese
voirs, and terrific storms, and the el
ments seem to be working q territ
havoc all over the country, of which,
full proportion has fallen to Canton al
vicinity. '0 ''' 'pit