Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-06-15
Minneapolis and Anoka.


There is no use in Disgusting the fact that
Minneapolis is in a state of great suspense
and anxiety in regard to the present boom OF
the Father of Waters. No such flood has
been known in the Mississippi River since
the year 1867, and many fear the end is nct
yet. During Sunday the liyeliest fears were
entertained for the safety of the logs in the
booms belonging to the Mississippi q
Rum River company, and startling rumors
and exaggerated stories of the rayages OF
the flood flew from mouth to mouth and
formed the subject of street talk. While all
this talk was going on, hundreds of men
were at work all day Sunday and yesterday
IN making things as safe as possible,
and when night set in yesterday every
preeaution possible had been taken to
prevent what cannot but be looked
upon as calamity to the State. at dusk
last evening the situation my be described as
follows:
During the past Is hours the water has
been gradually on the rise-is now within one
foot of the great rise of 1867. On Sunday
evening it was thought the water had reach
ed its height Eand would gradually recede.
These hopes we're disappointed however,
when the drenc!iiUg rain set III again yester-
day morning, aGd while all hope for the best
no one can tell what few hours may bring
forth. There are about 7O,000,O00 feet OF
logs in the different bo0ms between Mime
apolis and the mouth of the Elk river, and
adyices from ali of these booms up to last
night agree in saying that the logs are safe
if the river remains at It's present stage.
Should there be a still further rise, or should
one of the upper booms give way, no one can
tell what the consequence may be. The
booms have all the stress upon them now
that they can stan !, and it will require but
a slight additional strain to let loose
the miles of logs. Should such
a catastrophe take place, not only the loss
would be enormous, but still greater damage
must ensus to the mills, bridges, ETC., at the
falls. 1t is said that the amount of logs
now in the booms IS far in excess of the
amount on hand in 1867, and in the event of
the booms giving way the damage would be
far greater, but it must be remembered that
in 1867 the river reached heIght of foot
greater than it is now, and still the booms
did not give way, and it must also be re-
membered that great improvements have
been made to secure greater safety for Jost
some DAYS past we'll founded apprehensions
have been felt of unusually high water, and
Iumbermen have taken time by the foreiock,
and as far as human foresight and skill
could accomplish it, every precaution has
been taken to prevent loss and damage by
food. For tho twenty four hours ending at
6 O'Clock the rise had been only about two
inches, but it was uncertain what effect the
rrNT1Jd
and, of course, it is impossible to
state how much more rain will fail. 80
far only about 125OO0 feet of logs have
gone over the falls. The pressure in the
main boom has been relieved bJ coraling
large quantity of logs in channel on the east
side Of the island above the railroad bridge,
where they have been made secure by build
ing a strong timber pier.
The lumber mills have all shut down, not
on account of any interference with their
work but as measure of preca1tlon not TO
disturb the logs in the boom.
The guy pier of the suspension bridge, the
damage to which was mentioned IN the
GLOBE few days ego, toppled over yester-
day morning and has already disappeared.
This was nothingsmore than was expected,
as its base rested only on mud In the first
place. Its destruction does not endanger
the bridge in the least, and it will be re-
placed with another as soon as the water
subsidies.
A GLOBE reporter visited the office of the
Mississippi and Rum River Boom company
at O'Clock yesterday afternoon, and in
answer to inquiries was informed that every
thing was safe and no fears were entertained
of any of the booms breaking.
The same inquiries were made at The Of
fec of ". d. Washburn & Co.'s i'll regard to
the condition of things at Auoka. and the
information received WAS as late as P. M.
from that place to the effect that the logs
were all safe and 10 Immediate danger was
apprehended.
The Falls never looked so grand as they
do now. This is the first time We have had
such high water since the apron was built,
and the volume of water passing over it SO
smoothly, breaking into wild, whirling bill
lows below, is sight well worth travelling
many miles to see, and thousands of people
gaze upon the awe-inspring sight of the
hour.