The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-07-16
Waterspout and Heavy Rains in Iowa.

MARsHALLrowx, July 11.-Great damage
was caused in this city yesterday and last hish'
by heavy rains, which eliminated TINS morn
ing in the form of waterspout. LIN" 800 49,
rose to so great height as to put aiioat aoouI
forty houses occupied by families, some VI
them being swept down the stream, Dut So Ia
as learned no lives were lost. The hetehuIl
Wagon Works and Stoddard,s sawmiiIS were
almost totally destroyed. Other properties
were badly damaged, including depot build
ings and the Bowler House, where the water ate
reached the windows of the first story. ne
Chicago and Northwestern and Central tracks
were four feet under water at the depot
The Northwestern bridge went out east OF tne
city, and the Central bridge at that point Is
disabled. The Central lost $4,000 ties anu
much bridge timber The fair grounds were
entirely covered by water, and most OF the
high fencing was swept away. Many farm
houses are surrounded by water. On the
bottom lands on Iowa river the farmers put
out signals Of distress upon the roofs OF their
houses, and rescuing parties have been sent
out in boats. The Iowa river is higher than
ever before known. The loss In crops, I'm
provements and stock is beyond estimate at
present, but in the city and vicinity the loss
will exceed $500, 600
CHICAGO, July 11.-Specials to the journal
say that at Pella, Iowa, there was heavy
RAIN anu LluHuer SlOIll. IuS -huSlltiShILlONAA
rose twenty-five feet in seven hours. There
was great destruction of bridges and track on
the Kansas and Des MONIES road, between
there and Eddyville. The storm at Boone,
Iowa, was the most disastrous known there
for years. 1t began at about p. m. on Sat
urday and lasted until midnight. Many
bridges, both east and west of Boone, on the
Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, were
washed out, as we'll as most Of the bridges on
the highways throughout the country. An
engine with four men was sent out from
Moingona to ascertain the condition OF the
track. When passing bridge spanning TN
ordinary condition) a small stream the engine
broke through and sank into water twenty
feet deep. Two men were drowned and two
escaped by climbing trees. West of Molngo-
ma, while Roadmaster Mcneil was examining
the track upon bridge spanning small creek
the bridge went down and he was drowned.
Through the centre of the city OF Boone
small creek, at the ordinary stage OF water
not more than or feet across, became the
size of a river in six hours, sweeping away
houses, barns, and all except one bridge that
spans it in its course through the town. NO
lives were lost. 1t is estimated that ten
inches Of water fell in the SIX hours ne
weather was ntenslvey hot, marking lOo III
the shade.
In McGregor the rain fall amounted to 4GG
inches, nearly all of which descended in one
hour The loss in damage to streets and eel
lars is not less than S20,O0O
MARENGo, Iowa, July l3.-1he flood OF the
Iowa river exceeds that of 1851. The water
in the public square is two feet deep, and
hub deep in the principal streets, where boats
are running with ease. Scores OF families
have been driven out Of their houses, and
great damage has been done to dwellings.
The bridges approaching this city are gone,
and travel is suspended. Thousands of acres
of land are flooded and the crops ruined.
The damage in the town and to the farms Is
not less than $2,000,0O0.
CEDAR RAPIDS. Iowa, July 13.-Ihe de-
struction of railroad, farm and city property
Immediately west of this place by the recent
storms is unparalleled in the history of the
region, the railroads being the greatest suf-
ferers. The damage to the Chicago and
Northwestern road by the blockade last win
ter is very small compared with that caused
by the late storm. A large number of west
bound passengers are delayed here, being un-
able to make any line which reaches to Coun-
Gil Bluffs. The Burlington, Cedar Rapids
and Northern road escaped damage b. the
first storm; but the storms and high water en-
that line last night washed away several hun
dred feet of track at Traever, on the Pacific
division, but the line will be open tomorrow.
The main line of the Burlington, Cedar Rap
ids and Northern road is badly damaged and
washed out south Of Laporte City.