New Ulm weekly review., 1881-05-04
NEW ULM AND VICINITY.
FLOOD ECHOES.
The Minnesota Reached its Highest
Point at New Ulnl, at II a. m. We'd
nesday, April 9th, and it Has
Since Fallen About Eley-
en- Feet.
herrian's Ioe House Bursts, and 278
Tons of Ice Gone to Cool the
Father of Waters.

hours Of painful suspense and uncer-
tainty to those living on the low bot.
tom lands along the various streams in
the Minnesota valley, is now nearly 4
thing Of the past. The flood has at
least so far subsidized in this vicinity
that no more fears need be entertain
ed of damage to property. The des-
truction to property near the headwa-
ters of the Minnesota and Chippewa
rivers has been great, and at Montevi-
diO and Minnesota Falls thousands of
dollars were swept away in bridge
property alone; every bridge at or
near those places having been dislodg-
ed and washed away. Buildings and
other property within reach of the
flood have suffered proportionately.
In this vicinity the people living on
the Minnesota have escaped more for
tunately, and it is only of a few in.
stances that we hear where any dam.
age has been done. True, many fences
have been swept away, considerable
cord-wood took free passage to the
gulf, innumerable haystacks are hung
up promiscuously on trees, few
stables and small shanties may have
changed positions, but we have yet to
hear of single instance where house
has been dislodged or swept away, al
though quite number were badly i'm
mersed. Our good fortune in escaping
so easily is due to several causes. In
the first place, when the Minnesota be.
gan to assume alarming proportions, it
backed water from the raging flood
pouring out CT the Cottonwood, and for
two days or more the Minnesota IN
front Of New Ulm
FLOWED Up STREAM.
or was at q stand.still, and not until
the flood in the Cottonwood
began to subside was the down.
ward current perceptable.
Our last weeks report dated up to
4o'clock p. m. Tuesday, and grave
fears were then entertained of the ul-
innate outcome Of the flood. Or
Tuesday night many retired with
strong hopes that the flood had done
its worst, and reports that the river
had commenced to fall at Montcvidio
already on Monday morning, strength
ened this believe, but Wednesday
morning found the water still gradual
ly but surely creeping up and on to-
wards the houses almost within its
reach. The water by this time had
got within less than q foot of the
main floor of the Eagle mill, and
MeSsrs. .BCesh, Pfpnninger and Doehne
began to change their usually pleasant
looks for ones Of doubt and 1ndecsion,
The "Tra-la-la- eu-yeh" of mine host
Hottinger was not heard that morning,
but at eleven clock 1t was heard, loud,
long and often repeated, and everybo.
dy at once knew that a change in the
situation for the better had set in.
From II o'clock 4. m. to p. m. the
water remained stationary at
2S FEET e INCHES ABOVE THE Low
WATER MARK,
when it gradually commenced to fall
and by seven o'clock it had receded
two inches. Great was the JOY among
our people, and especially among those
living on Front street, when it was as.
certained to a certainty that the flood
was actually subsiding, and that the
climax had been reached and passed.
Up to o'clock Wednesday evening
but little actual damage to property
had been done. But just few minutes
before six o'clock the side addition of
Herrian's ice house burst out with a
crash, and 278 tons of ice stored there.
i'll was suddenly immersed in the then
Tour feet OF water around the building.
All efforts to save the Ice proved futile,
and it was finally permitted to sail
aoWn the river unmolested. Grave
tcars were entertained for the safety
of the main building, and on Thursday
morning Mr.. Herrian commenced moy-
ing the ice to other buildings. Late
Thursday evening it became apparant
that the new addition in rear of the
main building would also burst. but bv
friday morning the water had receded
far enough so that the building could
be braced, and no further damage re-
suited. Mr.. Herrian places his loss or
building, sawdust and ice at 5000, but
he thinks that he has still ice enough
left to- supply all his customers.
On Thursday the trestle work across
the bottom below the city again be
came unsafe, and passengers, mail an(
express goods were transferred across
the break or hand cars. A pile drive
was soon at the place and by Frida,
evening the damage was repaired
This second break in tho trestle wa
caSoed by the flood waves of the Min
nesota.
MINOR MENTION.
Palmer 4 Landwehr's saw mill en-
glne, which was completely immers
ed' has come out without any damaoe
About ten cords Of wood and slabs hc
longing to the firm was washed ava,
ana IS lost. The mill will again b
placed in position as soon as the Aoo
SUBSIDIES far enough, and saving re
sumed attonce upon the receipt of the
promised logs.
1t has now been definately asce,
tanned that only portion of Frank