The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-03
RELIEF WORK REVIEWED.
The Good Accomplished by the Indi-
ana Relief Boat Isabella.
Incidents of the Call at Shawneetown-
Gratitude of the Recipients of Relief
The Case of Thomas Ellis.


cent out by the indianapolis Board of Trade,
there is little to be added save in the way OF
fragmentary incidents.
The steamer Isabella, chartered for the
purpose, left Evansville at 9:35 Monday
morning bound for Shawneetown, ILL.,, about
eighty miles down the river, parties from
that place representing a most distressing
state of affairs and some kind of relief need
ed at once The State of Illinois had been
slow to come to the rescue, some constitu-
sional provision preventing legislation of
local character.
Our first stop was at Henderson, KY,
which stands SO high above the river that
no harm was done in that immediate vi
cinity. There were, however, number OF
refugees from the Indiana shore, and for
these supplies were left in the hands of the
local committee, the estimated number in
need of help being placed at fifty. The
citizens of Henderson were averse to
accepting the proffered aid, thinking
themselves able to provide for all who
had any claim upon them, and it was only
when it was understood that the supplies
were principally for Indiana people that
they consented to receive the donation 1t
was evident that there was slight prejudice
against receiving succor from Indiana State
pride standing in the way
AT West Franklin. Ind, very small settle
ment, some sixty-two had to be supplied,
and our visit was warmly welcomed.
But our most cordial reception was at
Shawneetown, Ill. The people there, cut off
from all communication with the outside
world, were quick to understand and appre-
ciate the spirit that prompted the undertake
ing, and though still in the shadow of their
overwhelming disaster gave us welcome
that was very gratifying Making known
the object of our visit we were at once taken
in boats to visit the scenes of destruction
visible everywhere in the town. while a
number of the residents aiding in unloading
the cargo, leaving supplies for about 600.
THE SITUATION AT sHAwNEETowN.
A hasty review of the situation there has
already been given in the Journal and it is
unnecessary to attempt to recount it, further
than to say that it was in no degree over
drawn. OF the 600 houses there but twenty
eight had second stories above the water, and
these were in the immediate vicinity of
Main street, the highest in town, and in
which there was a swift current to the depth
of fifteen feet Many saved their household
goods by removing them to the hills back of
town. while others took them to the second
floors, confident that the river would not
reach them. But, with the few exceptions
above noted the water not only reached but
flooded second as we'll as first floors, thereby
destroying thousands of dollars worth of
furniture. Among the goods lost were eight
pianos. These in some instances had been
raised on scaffolds or swung by ropes to the
ceiling of the rooms they were in, and when
their owners saw that they were in danger
it was too late to take them out, for the
water was aboye the windows. One act
of vandalism deserves mention in
this connection. Judge Bowman
mad his piano swung to the
ceiling, and it would have escaped serious
damage had not some miscreant gone to the
house in q boat during the night. cut the
ropes and let the instrument fall into the
food Oh course, in all cases where furni-
ture was submerged it was ruined beyond re-
pair. and a fine piano is not fit for anything
save kindlng-wood after having been under
the water week
The water is gradually subsidng, but it
will be week or two before it recedes enough
to have the town free OF water and dry
enough to get about the streets. Meanwhile
the distress among the refugees in the court
house, school-house and pork-house is in
creasing There is considerable sickness, and
in the courthouse alone five deaths have oc-
CURED and several children have been born.
All these distressing incidents have trans
pired in the immediate presence of scores of
fellow refugees, and can but appeal strongly
to the sympathy and charity of those people
,ho raA do MI h 10 Ian
ity.
In one residence passed by the voyagers
the furniture was floating about near the
top of the windows, and on bed that had
been nicely made before the inmates fed
when the waters came over the threshold,
was cat, apparently as comfortable and con-
tented as though she were enjoying an every
day experience. An unscientifc saloon
keeper thought to save his blliard-tables by
mounting them on top of alright barrels.
The principle was good enough in the main,
but the unsteady things threw their load
overheard when the water lifted them from
the floor.
Mr.. Thomas s. Ridgway, president of the
First National Bank, and owner of the build
ing, a handsome three-story structure, uses
the first story as a residence. When he saw
that the river was going to reach him, he had
his furniture moved to the second floor, con-
fident that he was secure there. But
the flood kept rising hour after hour
and day after day until it was about five feet
higher than ever before known, and touched
the floor of the second story. Not knowing
what might happen, he put his two pianos
on scaffolds on the second floor and began
moving other goods to the third floor But
on Sunday evening last the water came to a
stand, and on Monday he had his parlor
fixed up, his daughters desiring to entertain
company This, in view of the fact there
was fifteen feet OF water just outside the
dnor and n stem ont was to drown NAV be
eonside red rather phenomenal circumstances
nnder which to welcome the coming OF the
inevitable beau.
The loss to the town. not counting damage
to the levee, will amount to $4,000, which
IN proportion to wealth and population is