The daily gazette., 1883-02-17
xnrKnaNrh or TnM n1.o0D.
The siluaffon az Lawrenesbure, xnas--l
Elrenam,s Herclsm.

Eireman,s Herolsna.
CINcISxAr1, Feb. l5.-To say the city Of
Lawrenceburg Is submerged and almost
drowned out, is not half telling the tale OF
misery and suffering. There never was, Ia
all the history of the floods in the Ohio Val
ley, q city, town or hamlet SO completely
at the mercy of the angry element as is
Lawreneeburg. For three days the citizens
were almost without a morsel to eat. In the
lower portion of the city, everything is de
stroyed save the dwellings, and they, Of
course, must be badly damaged Hundreds
Of the houses are from 10 to so feet under
water In the lower districts was where the
poorer classes lived. Driven from their
homes, they fed to the public buildings for
safety. All they possessed is destroyed, and
what is not totally destroyed Is rendered
worthless by the continued water. The Re-
porter steamed alongside the Court House,
woollen, mills, churches, furniture factories
and public school buildings. All of these
buildings were crowded and jammed with
people rescued from watery graves. In the
larger and more secure residences the fam
ilies have been driven to the second and
third stories. Those of the more wealthy
classes extend to their less fortunate neigh
Dor the hand of assistance and give them
places beneath their roofs
On the principal streets the water ranges
from seven to twenty-five feet deep. Al
though precaution had, in a measure, been
taken, and property removed from the lower
stories, but little in fact has been saved.
But few of the merchants were able to move
their goods. Thousands and thousands of
dollars worth of household property has
been rendered worthless. There are many
families who possessed nothing more than
their household property; by losing that they
have lost all they owned A great many Of
the smaller houses in the low lands have
been swept away, and houses and contents
forever lost to the owners Tie damage to
the factories cannot be estimated. In the
city there are great many furniture fac
tories, all of which had on hand large stocks
of lumber. In many cases this has all been
carried away. The machinery in some, if
not all, the factories and mills has been
badly damaged, and no doubt wholly de-
stroyed. The county records have all been
saved, they having been carried to the top
stories Of the Court House.
The interior of public buildings, in which
are located great majority of the inhabi-
tants present many peculiar, though sad,
but interesting scenes. In some instances
wealth and beauty have for their nearest
neighbors the family of the caTt-driver. All
are upon common level and no distinction
is made. In one part of the Court House
other new lives were being ushered into the
world. 1t was said upon good authority
that no less than Is babies had been born in
the different public buildings since the inun-
dation began. The reports of the condition
of the people have not been exaggerated. In
fact the half has not been told. The entire
city with a population of 5000, are In want
and at the mercy OF the public. Distress
extends from one end Of the city to the
city to the other. The country surrounding
is doing its duty to the unfortunate people.
There has been no communication with the
outside world for days except by boat and
no ooat Is running regularly. The telegraph
wires are down and the telegraph and tele-
phone offices flooded with several feet of
water. In short, there is not dry square
loot Of ground in all the city. Details of
the situation have been eagerly sought for,
but were ouly obtained by reporters sent
from here in boats.
HEROIC INCIDENT.
CLEVELAND. O., Feb 15.-Freemont, a
few days ago thriving, beautiful suburban
city, presents a most pitiable sight. Four
hundred families have been driven from
their homes by the floods and are now seek
lug shelter on higher land. Houses have
been carried away, cars swept from the
track Of the Lake Shore Railroad, ard people
and provisions rescued in boats. In some
places the deluge of water was SO sudden
and so irresistible that the inmates of dwell
ings were driven frSm story to story, and
finally made their escape through holes cut
in the roofs.
EX-President Hayes said that the conduct
OF the fireman of the train that made the
crossing of the Sandusky River during the
food was one of the most Striking examples
Of cool courage and presence of mind that
ever came within his experience. Wednes-
day morning the citizens at work on the Lake
Shore embankment were startled by the
whistle of an approaching freight train
Signal was given that the bridge was un-
safe, but the down-grade and proximity of
the bridge rendered any effort to stop the
train futile. The engineer and all the train
men jumped from the doomed train except
the fireman, who was husily throwing coal
into the nre-hox. He eomprehended the
situation at glance. 1t was too late to
jump, the train WAS almost on the swaying
bridge, aud, with a quick jerk, he threw the
throttle wide open. The engine bounded
forward, and, in an instant, was making
its perilous crossing of the rocking bridge.
A cheer went up from the anxious specta-
tors as the engine broke couplings and with
six cars swept safely across the bridge. 1t
had scarcely crossed the east span, which
WAS swaying and cracking, when 1t gave
way, preeipltating the remainder of the
train, 36 cars, into the raging flood below.
As the wreck was swept down the river a
man was seen on one OF the cars holding
out his arms toward the shore. The cara
rolled over and he disappeared. 1t is pre-
sumed that the lost man was tramp, whe
had been stealing ide.