The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1877-05-24
The Flood.

We have again had one of those big floods
which somewhat disturb the equanimity of
husbandmen :as well as burghers. but rarely
do the damage 10 life and property in this
country which is usually done by them in
many of the Eastern states. Constant and I'M
/ ceasing rain for many days, unprecedented in
many respects in Kansas. had impressed peo-
pie with the belief that all this water must
bring about something. of a flood, at least, and
| it did.
The rivers with the excep ton of the Smoky
and creeks had been high previous to Friday.
But on Friday evening the water commenced
leaving the banks of Mulberry and Dry creeks,
and by ten o'clock Saturday morning. a view
from any high position made you look out
upon a vast, or series of vast, lakes west and
north OF town. West Of Dry creek the coun-
try for several miles north and south, and
some distance west. was covered with several
feet of water. And along the railroad track,
which was submerged for a long distance
from the depot west. except few feet near
the Dry creek railroad bridge. the water
splashed as merrily as on the shore OF real
lake. Most ofthis water came from the high
idiIds III tue tait VI tue COuutl.
report that the Smoky had broken across the
country to Dry creek proved to be untrue.
In Calkins' Addition, north of the Railroad,
the water ran in strong currents and the
houses thereabout were entirely surrounded
by water. The water rose several inches IN
one part Of the Emigrant building, causing
the inmates to make a sudden departure. In
two or three buildings near the track the fam
lilies were compelled to go with their house
hold goods to the second stories, or '.wade to
the Shore and camp out. As near as we
can learn greater portion of the farms on
what is called the Saline bottom''-north and
northwest OF town-were covered with water
This was caused not entirely by the Null
berry and Dry creeks overflow, but by the
Smoky and Saline back water For number
of miles up the Saline the lowlands were cov-
cred: also large quantity of wheat, corn,
etc.
The Smoky Hill commenced leaving its
lower banks on Sunday and late Monday night
it was still rising. 1t began TO look little bill
ious, as the saying is, and folks were talking
OF arks, RATS, etc. Two or two-and-a-hal feet
more of water would have covered a large
portion of the town. The low land near the
Iron Avenue bridge was entirely covered, and
foot or so Of water flowed over the road Just
beyond the bridge. AT the brick yard, south
of town, on the river. the Smoky sought
new channel in ali old ravine or river bed and
the roring of the tide was terrific In that region
The lower apron was torn away at the upper
dam, and at the lower mill the lower apron to
the dam has been torn way; also large portion
of the abutment nearest to the mill. Thirty
or forty feet of bank on the opposite side has
been washed OUT ust below the dam, but no
serious damage done. 1t is impossible, of course,
with the present stage Of water to ascertain
all the damage that has been done along the
Smoky. 1t is stated that amid the immense
of drift wood which came pouring
down the river dead horse with saddle on,
doated, and the inference is that the horse was
drowned in crossing the river, and the rider
may have escaped. The slough west of town
was filled, and the farm houses west OF that
were well surrounded.
As near as we can ascertain the whole west !
ern and southern portion OF Kansas has been
pretty well flooded. 1t is stated that Abilene |
has been sitting Venice-like. on the water, !
and skiffs and RATS. gondola-lke, have been |
people about town. Salt creek |
which cmpties into the Solomon. flooded |
a large area of land, doing considerable dam
age. The Pipe creek bridge, at Minneapolis, is
reported gone. One or two small bridges on
our Mulberry creek have disappeared. The |
railroad bridge across Dry creek was some
what injured, but has been repaired and is now
all right. The Saline river railroad bridge, al
so injured, has been made secure. All the
wagon bridges. or their approaches, here
abouts are in need of repairs. The damage to
grain may not be much, although many acres
Of wheat were covered Some of it. possibly, !,
will suffer from scalding produced by a hot
sun while water was standing in the fields.