Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1883-02-22
TAe seaael 81 "a Ii.estern Floods.

The damags done by the Ohio foods to
property i reckoued by millions. Isolated
dwellings, and small hamlets. as well as
towgs and cities, along the course oftbe Civ
er have their quotas Of disaster TO ado to the
sum total. Cincinnati, though relieved
from the food, has 10000 people in urgent
need Lawrenceburg, place of about
G,0OO inhabitants. is practicallysNept away.
When he water recedes and unoovers the
area the town occupies it IS considered ques-
tionable whether a single house will re-
rain tenantable." The basis on which
this conjecture rests must be considered am
pie if it be true, as reported from the local
ity, that people moveabout in skitis search
ing for their homes, and anxiously feeling
below the surface Of the water with rods and
poles 20 ascertain if their houses have with
stood the food, aud remain id position. y
Some 500 heads of families in Lawrence
burg are deprived of their only source of in
come, and for the time being are absolutely
dependent upon charity for the necessaries
Of life. Distress aud want appear OF every
side The damage wrought in Louisville
irtolyes distress to several thousands. jeff
er,oayilie place OF 10, 100 people. opposite
touisyiileis very nearly obliterated by the
food -Four fifths of this town are under wa
.er and n, least 6 600 Of its inhabitants are
wi bout homes and personal effects beyond
the clothes they wear. Half the business
men of the place are ruined financially.
There were situated here extensive car
works, glass works and shipyards, employing
$500 hands, most of whom are now m de
dependent u2on charity for sustcnance.
New Albany, Il City Of Is, 40 people, like
wise opposite Louisville, is also in bad
condition Over SEQ residences are over
turned, factories are stopped. and business
is brought to staudstil. The overilowing
water extends beyond the city rearward
sou,a four miles, taking in several suburbs
LoFcr New Albany, Port Union and Fall
ing Run are reported as absolutely wiped
OF the MAJ }" The loss in the lafges town
is placed at 900, 600, and come i 600 home
less people rercported huddlcd into close
uncomfortable and necessarily unhealthy
quarters, many Of them scantily clad, the
large majority pcaniless, End all Out of en-
ployment with no prospect for work for
some weeks 10 come. A great many have
lost nearly all their household effects and
nearly nil are dependent upon public char
ity." Aurora loses 800 houses Clarks-
Vile Is under water and half the town Is
washed away. Hardentown and North
Bend axe Submerged 20 the roofs Of lhc hous
IS, with what results 10 the people il the
loss Of property may be imagined. To be
added to the losses from the HOod a.e the
leprcdstion7 of q pirates, vino piunde- par
.iaily-GDoicd AMI abillolcd h)Ises and
even steal the ropes by means Of which it is
sought 70 prevent dwellings from coating
away. As is usual when muititude9 CT peo-
pie are thrown together in rncom Portable
and unhealthy quarter, with insufficient
ani uawholesomc food, disease contributes
its share 20 the terrors Of the situation.
While he water was up il aio:ic destroyed
Now tIat it las fallen and exposed the
moist earth, dotted here and there with pud
dies warmed in the SIN, maia.a and other
fcyers cusuc.