The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-04-15

sttectc III that NiClD1ty Whe soCu uuOuSu
A stream of water came from the river,
up the street on which is located the r
I &. P, depot and forced its way across
union square found an outlet in the slough.
This rendered the upper portion Of the
city in worse condition than was the case
last June.
FOURTEENTH STREET.
The water early evineed determination
to force itself up this street, and knowing
the dangers of such condition crowd of
citizens. headed by Alderman Lundy,
across Second avenue at it's intersection
with Fourteenth street. For time the
water was confined below Second avenue,
but the unprecedented rise soon broke
forced itself up as far as Third avenue
and even communicating with the slough.
The basement of the Catholic church, on
Second avenue and Fourteenth street. was
soon filled with water, which poured into
that apartment with great force and con-
siderable noise. The jail basement was
also flooded. and the fires in that building
were completely put out by the water
which rose several feet in the enclosure.
The rise on this street was watched with
interest and every ebb and flow as indicat
ing a rise or fall was noted carefully.
AT THE WATER WORKS
The water works was the one point OF
interest last night, as it was known the
first intimation of danger was to be com
munioated from this institution, At
en- early hour the water back
ed up, completely surrounding
that establishmeB sGl subsequently,
flooded out the water works itself. The
floor of the institution when the last signal
of danger was given was completely cover
ed With water. rendering further work of
the engine an impossibility. Consequently
the Gres having been extinguished the
men in charge waded through the water
and left the works to care for themselves.
The fall of water at G later hour has piae-
ed the works 10 running condition and 1t
IS not thought that any material injury
resulted to the works from the temporary
suspension of work.
IN THE SLOUGH.
The slough at the Grst intimation Of
danger was thought to be the place that
would suffer most severely from the over
flow, Such however was not the case as
the enbaDkment protecting that locality
continued intact and no serious injury was
the result.
Early Id Tia evening the moving of
household goods Of those who resided 10
that locality commenced. and the work
was continued during the hight. The
melted snow formed a pool of water ex-
tending the whole length of the slough,
and it would have required but little
water from the river to have caused
repetition of the scenes enacted las
summer Cattle, horses and other ani>
mails gere led away to high ground, and
the excitement OF the moFesg formed q
scene that beggars description. Every one
was seeking information concerning the
embankment, and at the signals of danger
the women especially were aim ost frantic.
The majority of the dwellings were
Of their contents, while the
houseless peopls were making their way
to the high ground The rejoicing of this
portion of citizens when il was known that
the gorge had given away and the water
was abatins was genuine and unmistak
able.
ON THE ENBANKMENT
Mayor Carse, cx-Aldermen Brown, Gray
and other city officers took up their station
st the embankment which protects the
slough. They watched every portion of it,
and when q crevice was discovered they
endeavored to e it before the water sue
ceeded in breaking through Too much
credit cannot be accorded the mayor for
his cxartious in the citp's behalf, and TO
the various aldermen who so ably assisted
him in his self imposed work. At one time
it was thought that the embapkment had
given away, as cuivert at the extreme
west end of that dyke. which had been
closed up. washed out, and The water
rushed through with great fierce. The
,reviccs which from time to time appeared |
we're filed up and thus an inundation from
hat quarter vas prevented.
RAILROADS
No trains were sent OF or arrived on the
Mercer county road during the afternoon
,r evening. The track being submerged
t was not considered safe to attempt 1t.
On the Peoria road. the incoming train
Which arrived during the evening was
abandoned. Gen. Pass Agent Mahoney
ent conveyances from this city to Milan
nd the passengers were all brought in by
means of carriages. buses add other
'ehicles The same was the case with the
Mercer county passe Dgers due in this city
asst evening
The c.. B. & O. trains were unable to
se their track on the levee, and num Der
+ cars were left to the mercy OF the food.
LOSSES.