The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1882-03-02
A NIGHT OF TERROR.


Three Thousand People Fleeing for Their
Lfves-Terrfb!e Disirucffon of Life and
Property at Lawrenceburg, Ind
Tuesday, February 21st, will long be re-
membered by the people OF Lawrenceburg,
Ind, on account OF the sudden inundation of
the town and tho misery and disaster that fol-
lowed. All day on Monday and late in the
night strong force Of men were kept busy at
work Strengthening the levee above town, but
h IL o'clock p. m. all hope OF keeping the
rising water from overfowing the levee banks
and pouring into the city was abandoned, and
the Mayor ordered all the bells Of the different
churches to ring and give the alarm Of the
coming danger, that the people might prepare
for theworst. At / O'Clock q. m. the railroad
bank between the Ohio River and town sud-
denly gave way and the water, with the roar Of
hurricane, rushed down Arch street, cutting
deep cutters and sweeping fences, out
buildings and every thing in its angry
course, surging on, growing wider and
wider MS the crumbling railroad bank yielded
to its resistless pressure, until the strong cur
rent struck the inside bank Of the faithful
levee that held the mad waters of the Miami in
restraint. The double attack soon forced down
the barrier tnat prevented the waters meeting,
and with louder and deeper roar, sounding
consternation to many a strong heart, the pent-
up waters that had ragged above the city rushed
through the broken bank, carrying back the
streams II met, filling the streets, over
Moving houses and spreading universal
ruin in it's maddened career until it
mct and mingled its course with the current Of
the Ohio River. In twenty minutes time over
three thousand persons were driven from their
homes, many barely escaping in the dense
darkness that prevailed, with their lives. The
Wholesale destruction OF property was immense.
Hundreds Of poor people compelled to fee in
haste and abandon everything they possessed
n 1rr tn thO az az. H..
toicing In its might, fire broke out in several
portions OF the town, and the piteous cry for
help from this additional evil, mingling with the
heartrending call for aid from men, women and
children drowning in their houses, increased
the scenes Of terror and made the night
doubly hideous. Two houses, belonging to
lsdel and McElfresh, were burned to the water
edge and their entire contents DESTROYED Says
correspondent: "Ihe loss Of life can not be
ascertained before the water begins to recede.
Al gay have people been running back and
forth frantically inquiring for friends and rela-
tives separated in the darkness and haste that
ensued when escaping from peril. Many are
reported drowned, but the reports are based
only on the fact that their whereabouts are un.
hnown TO their friends. Several hundred fam
lies are sheltered In the upper stories of the
Public School Building. Between four and five
hundred families have taken refuge in the
Court-house, and all the buildings that stand
above the reach of the flood are filed with tn,
unfortunates whose homes have been subjected
70 the invasion. Provisions have been ex
hausted, and much suffering ensues, not only
from hunger, but from cold, as IL is impossible
IN many places TO kindle fires. The good sid,
OF human nature is shown by numbers o.
ympathizing persons, who seek to succor ant
neip those who stand in need Of assistance
but the depraved character Of others is exhib
tied In their attempt at extortion. The loss o.
property will reach $500, 900 or $500, 900. Al
communication with the outside world Ia tenn
nnrarilx cut off -