The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-04-28
FALLS OF THE REDWOOD,

of Cooks dam and consequent washing
out OF the pond had changed tho color of
the water to an inky darkness, and as
the huge masses of ice and debris from
the dams above plunged into the abyss
below. filling the air with spray, the scene
presented was one long to be rcmem-
bercd.
A very prominent feature of the falls,
as they have existed for twenty years past,
was the mass of rock about twelve feet
high at its highest point, eight feet wide.
and perhaps twenty feet long. surmounted
by one of the red cedars which are so
common along the Redwood, which was
separated from the east bluff by what is
familiarly known as the old government
mill race. and was considered one of the
most picturesque features of the falls.
As the blocks of ice came pounding
against it, it was seen to tremble, and
soon the tree on the top was broken
off, The heavy ice crowding into the
narrow race-way acted as wedge and
soon forced it from its foundation, and
over the falls it went into the pool
below. distance of twenty-five feet. A
wonderful change in the appearance of
the falls was thus su idenly created. The
OLD rOck-no longer barrier to the view
of the main falls was doing new duty in
projecting from its ragged sides mass
l,ntn hSsph S,~ .,s.
during the continuance of the high
water will add to the attractiveness of
the cataract in its more humble position.
Visitors can now stand on the east bluff
and have full view of the falls from
shore to shore as the waters roll majestic.
ally down.
A short distance below the falls the
river makes sharp turn around long
narrow point, and directly across from
the main falls is situated Cuffs dam, the
mill being on top of the bluff This dam
shared the fate of those further up the
| river.
The next mill below. and the lower one
on the Redwood. is Birum's, which for a
time was in great danger. Fortunately
the mill escaped, but a portion of the
dam was carried away.
The highest point reached by the food
was about IL o'clock Saturday night.
At Cooks mill the water reached a heigh,
of thirty feet above low water mark in
the river. The water came within eight
inches of the grinding floor, making IL
necessary to remove the wheat and -four
to the story above. At the bridge tho
water at one time was nearly up to the
stringers of the Howe truss, and there
was some danger of the heavy cakes of
ice being precipatated against the string
ers after striking the rocks on either side.
| One brace was knocked out in this man.
ner, creating slight panic among those
on the bridge at the time. The huge
granite rocks between Ruter's mill and
the falls, which ordinarily stand out in
such bold relief, were entirely covered by
the flood.
| yuE LOSSES.
| uAT. NOOA COuSIuCVS MS UUtIl 0JUlOSt AZ
entire loss-two- thirds of it is gone, and
what is left is 80 badly injured as to re-
quire rebuilding. 1t will cost $4,000 te
replace it. Nothing can be done towards
rebuilding until midsummer. so that the
additional loss by the delay will bc very
large.
Ruter's dam is entirely gone. but is no,
an expensive one to rebuild. With 8
fair stage of water he can run his mil
without dam, and will get to grinding
again in about . week, or az soon ~ hi
can remove the mud with which his fiume
is filled. He estimates his loss at $500.
/ Cuffs dam is also entirely gone. and |,
will probably cost over $500 to replace it
Birum estimates his damage at abou,
$1,000.
MINOR INCIDENTS.
A shed belonging to Mr.. Birum contain
i ing nineteen tanning mills was carried