The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-15
STOLEN M RIVER.
Hundreds OF Fertile Acres swept AwaS IN =
Twinkiing by the Muddy Missouri.

Prom DE 81 Paui Pioneer Pres.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo-, May 10.-The Missouri Is
= remarkable river. unlike any other ever saw
To be appreciated 1t must be seen and heard
during he April or Juno rise when its wnters
are red and thick with the powdered soil they
have brought from tho mountains and stolen
from the farms in tho valleys. Then II pours
and swirls and eddtes along with a treacherous
sound between a chuckle and a half-sup-
pressed whisper that rppels while IL fascinates
the listener II has made millions OF acres
OF rich black deposits on which IL still
holds a mortgaee. tho foreclosure Of which
acres may sustain forests that have boon grow
INK Tor hundreds of years. Out not rod Of the
vast level bottom lands which lie on either side
OF the muddy monster varying in width from
two TO twenty miles. stretrhinR all the way from
lankton to st. Louis. and covered with the
nnest woods and richest farm produce that land
could bear up under. is exempt from the possi-
billy OF some day being devoured by its hun
after clearing away the heavy timber and rails
ing line crops year after year. on their eighty
OF more acrSs OF deep inexhaustbe river bot.
tom. nave seen their entire possessions swept
away in lew days w sudden and unexpected
" change OF channel during an April or June
These changes OF channel have different
causes. Sometimes giant cottonwood tree
that has been uprooted where the river has
the current and lodged in the mud, whore Il
viii gradually become imbedded in the yield
or even years. without giving any particular
sign OF existence. At ist an unusual rise
uihes plh'e, anu tnls nluuen snaR crcafee n
to circle round the spot. and which cuirnnates
In boiling eddy. The eddy increases In depth
and force. gradually diverting the water from
us former course until new pathway
s r. formed d in the river bed II the
the upper edge o. promontory, and the water
Is sufficiently high TO overflow the fats, new
channel is sometimes carved straight across
some valuable farm or timber strip, and a river
town. where steamboats, took freight and pas
sengers last year may be from two to six lies
distant from navigabfe water next year. A few
years ago Forest City Mo-, was kissed day and
night by the dirty lips of this Western flirt. To-
day the river sports miles away. out OF sight Of
the old cave. and is whispering soft things to
White Cloud. on the Kansas side which has
gained river. while the State has lost several
thousand acres Of productive cotton land that
now supports cattle and hogs in Missouri.
when the Missouri River begins 10 indulge In
its semi-annual free lunch. IL frequently de-
YOURS strips OF bottom land several rods In
width every twenfy-fOur hours. At such times
II ls dangerous 10 drop to sleep near the waters
edge There lives in Rulo river town In
named THOMPSON. ono warm June day the
Doctor cast his tish lines into the river close to
mo umher. and, lying down in the shade TO
watch for catfish dropped on 20 sleep and TO
ruutly by neghbor. who told him he was
sleeping on the wrong side OF a long, narrow
creNice that had formed about rod from the
river s brink. He did not wait TO save his lines,
but instantly got up and got" The next in
slant strip OF cottonwood land parted COM
pany with the main land forever; and with its
freight OF trees dissolved ike so much sugar IN
coffee cup. leaving the Doctor 10 thank the
river Tor stealing his Hsh lines and the land.
and his ne. ghbor for saving his life Missouri
on blufs or liable lands. like Omaha. White
CLOUD, -. Joseph. and Kansas Clty.