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

MARsHALLTowN, July 11.-Great damage
was caused in this city yesterday and last night
by heavy rains, which eliminated this morn
ing in the form of a waterspout. Linn Creek
rose to so great height as to put ailoat about
forty houses occupied by families, some of
them being swept down the stream, but so far
as learned no lives were lost. The ketchum
Wagon Works and Stoddard's sawmills were
almost totally destroyed. Other properties
were badly damaged, including depot build
ings and the Bowler House, where the water
reached the windows of the first story. The
Chicago and Northwestern and Central tracks
were four feet under water at the depot.
The Northwestern bridge went out east of the
city, and the Central bridge at that point is
disabled. The Central lost $4,000 ties and
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 100000.
CHICAGO, July ll.-Specials to the Journal
. =
rain and thunder storm. The Muchachinock
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 STERN 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 well as most OF the bridges on
the highways throughout the country. An
engine with four men was sent out IRON
Moingona to ascertain the condition OF the
track When passing a bridge spanning I'm
ordinary condiliOn) 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 a
small creek, at the ordinary stage OF water
not more than ( or feet across, became the
SIZE Of river in six hours, sweeping away
houses, barns. and all except one bridge that
spans 1t in its course through the town. No
lives were lost. |: IS estimated that ten
inches OF water fell in the SIX hours. me
weather Was Extensively hot, marking 100 IN
the shade
In McGregor the rain fall amounted TO 100
inches, nearly all Of which descended IN one
hour The loss in damage to streets and eel
lars is not less than $4,000.
MARENGo, Iowa, July lS.-The food Of the
Iowa river exceeds that Of 1851. The water
in the public square Is two feet deep, aud
hub-dccp 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 doue to dwellings.
The bridges approaching this city are gone,
and travel IS suspended. Thousands of acres
of land are Hooded aad the crops ruined.
The damage in the town aud to the farms is
no, less than S3,O0J,0o0
CEDAR R,rIps, Iowa. July l3.-Ihe de
s.ruction Of railroad, farm and city property
Immediately west Of this place by the recent
storms ia unparalleled in the history of the
region, the railroads being the greatest suf-
ferrrs 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
boand passengers are delayed here, being IN
able 90 make any line which reaches to Coun
ell EiufTs The Burlington. Cedar Rapids
aai Northern road escaped damage b. the
frat storm; but the storms aud high Tater en-
that line last night washed away several hun
dred feet OF track az Traever, on the Pacific
division. but The line will be open to- morrow.
The main line Of the Darlington, Cedar Rap
ids ard Northern road Is badly damaged aud
washed ous south Of LaPoTte City.