Little Falls transcript., 1880-06-18
The High Water,

Fro m the St. Paul Globe, June Is. +
There is no use in disgusting tho fact that
Minneapolis is in a state Of great suspense
and anxiety in regard to the present boom of
the Father Of Waters. Nosuch food has been
known in the Mississippi river since the year
1867, and many fear the end Is not yet. Dur
ing Sunday the liveliest fears were entertained
for the safety Of the logs in the booms belong
ing to the Mississippi and Rum River COM
pauy, and startling rumors and exaggerated
stories of the ravages of the food 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 precaution possible had been taken to
prevent what cannot but be looked upon as
calamity to the State. At dusk last evening
the situation may be described as follows:
During the past 4S hours the river has been
gradually On the rise-is now within one foot
of the great rise of 1861. On Sunday evening
it was thought the water had reached its
height and would gradually recede. These
hopes were disappointed however, when the
drenching rain set in again yesterday morn
ing, and while all hope for the best no one can
tell what few hours may bring forth. There
are about 70, ,0Oo, 900 feet of logs in the differ
ent booms between Minneapolis and the
~ ~, 'II1l~ -: o,I oJ,;oo, fror, oll
of these booms up to last night agree in say
ing that the logs are safe if the river remains
at its present stage. Should there be still
further rise, or should one of the upper booms
give way, no one can tell what the conse-
quence may be. The booms have all the stress
upon them now that they can stand, and it
will require but slight additional strain to let
loose the miles of logs. Should such a catas-
trophc take place, not only the loss would be
enormous, but still greater damage must ensue
to the mills. bridges, ETC., at the falls. 1t is
said that the amount oflogs now in the booms
is far in excess ofthe 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 a
height of foot greater than it is now, and
still the booms did not give way, and it must
also be remembered that great Improvements
have been made to secure greater safety for
just such an emergency as is now upon US.
For some days past well founded apprehen-
sions have been felt of unusually high water,
and lumbermen have taken time by the fore
lock, and as far as human foresight and skill
could accomplish it, every precaution has been
taken to prevent loss and. damage by food.
For the twenty -four hours sending at six
O'Clock the rise had been only about two
inches, but it was uncertain what effect the
rain of yesterday would have, and, of course,
it is impossible to tell how much more rain
will fall. So far only about 1885, 900 feet of
logs have gone over the falls. The pressure
on the main boom has been relieved by cor
railing large quantity of logs in the channel
on the east side of the island above the rail-
road bridge, where they have been made se-
cure BY building a strong timoer pier. The
lumber mills have all shut down, not on &C.
count of any interference with thoir work but
as measure of precaution not to disturb the
logs in the boom. The guy pier of the sus-
pension bridge, the damage to which was men,
toned in the Globe few days ago, toppled
over yesterday and has already disappeared.
This was nothing more than was xrected, as
its base rested only in mud in the first place.
Its destruction does not endanger the bridge
in the least, and it will be replaced with an
other as soon as the water subsidies. The
Falls never looked so grand as they do now
This is 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 billows below, is a sight
we'll worth travelling many miles to see, and
thousands of people gaze upon the awe -inspir-
ing sight Of the hour.