The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-04-20
RAGING RIVER.
The Rock River and its
high Stage Of Water.
How the food affected Milan
and vicinity.
Trains Abandoned and
other results.

Milan is now partially submerged, and
the river constantly rising promises to do
great damage to the property and buildings
in that town and vicinity. The present
stage of water in Rock river is two feet
higher than has ever before been the case,
and the result of the rise is, that the citi-
zens of Milan are unprepared to protect
their property, and in great measure it
will be left to the mercy of the raging
river.
Commenced two days ago, but it was not
until yesterday that any approximations
were felt that the river would overflow it's
channel and become the raging torrent
that it has become this morning. The
water was rising yesterday afternoon at
the rate of one inch per hour and this
rise continued during the night, and with
but little abatement during the morning.
News was received from points above that
an unprecedented rise had taken place, and
so the people were not taken entirely by
surprise.
A BREAK.
During the afternoon the water rushed
over the dam which connects the land on
which is located the Milan paper mill with
the island south of it, and in a short time
carried away the southern portion of that
embankment. This caused the water to
rush with great force against the southern
portion of the wooden bridge that crosses
one of the channels of the river, and for a
time it appeared impossible to save the
bridge. Word was sent to Mayor Carse,
of this city, and that gentlemen, with Su-
perintendent Warren, started for the bridge
Immediately. A force of men were placed
at work and, by means of sacks filled with
sand, the water was prevented from wash
ing out the abutments. The fourth bridge
was also in danger, and it was only the
timely arrival of the city officials with ma
terial to resist the water that prevented
this structure from being entirely washed
away.
MILAN PAPER MILL.
The Milan paper mill is completely SUE
rounded by water, and during the night
and this morning men were engaged in
building an embankment around the east
ern side to save the mill from being mum
dated. The embankment was constructed
as fast as possible, but it was found that
the water was constantly gaining, and only
by means of force were the prOprietors
able to keep the water from flooding the
building Mr. Dart, one of the proprie
tors, stated this morning that they could
jury to the machinery, and when that stage
was reached he was of the opinion that the
adjacent land would be flooded so as to
prevent higher stage of water. A num-
Der of men are still engaged on the work,
and will so continue until all danger is
past.
IN MILAN.
The roadway between this city and Mi
Ian, near the latter plaza is not passable
and communication is thus shut Off The
bridge nearest the latter place is not CON
sidered safe for trains, and so no business
was transacted by that means between the
two places during the morning.
The north side of Water street is under
water, and the inhabitants residing in that
locality are moving out, or at least are pre-
pared to leave at a moments notice.
Ruegy s. Goldsmiths ice house has
water all around it, and the same state
l.
stores of Thomas and James Johnson
The water is slowly making its way across
Water street although every effort is be-
made to check its course. The dwelling
of Fred Haverling, in the eastern part of
the city was early deserted by the occu-
pants, and is now only reached by wading
through the water.
A number of cellars are filled with water
and the people do not know what plan to
adopt, in order to prevent future disasters.
THE BRIDGES
owned by this city are still in danger, at
least the two nearest Milan. Twenty-Five |
men have bee employed by the Mayor and
to repair the inroads made
oy the water. So far they have succeeded
N saving both structures by means of sand
bags placed in spots where the water was
washing away the embankments. Mayor
Carse is on the grounds and will make
every endeavor to save the bridges, if such
is possible.
The water is now nearly up to the floors
Of these bridges and is coming down with |
fearful velocity.
1t is stated that the rise during the morn |
ng was at the rate of one half inch per
lour, and, unless greater rise occurs, it |
S hoped that the threatened structures can
De saved.
The two bridges nearest Rock Island are
perfectly safe, and no fears are felt for
heir preservation.