The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-02-06
THE RAGING RIVER.
rag FMR OHIO a SWOLLEN ELooO.
sou. Int.r,.tI.E se,ns On The Rlrsr Front Yes.
tsrday-Psr.Onal Property AasAt-rhs stage
OfrAt.r Compared 10 Former Fresh.
ss-Ssus From Other Polatl.

The big attraction Of yesterday was the
Ohio river. II was on one Of Its periodical
highs and everything not securely fastened
by numerous chains and ropes, went down
before Its resistleSs force with boom. The
heavy rains OF Saturday were so general both
up the valley and In the mountains that the
Allegheny and Monongahela rivers were both
filled so as 70 overflow their banks, and every
stream and creek between this point and
Pittsburgh was swelled TO an unusual height
and in several localities, the reports an
nounce, they did considerable damage 70
property. Sunday morning the river At this
point was on o stand. with about nine feet
| In the channel, but In q few hours 1t COM
menced rising and continued doing 50 dur.
ing the day; the rise during Sunday would
average about SIX inches per hour.
At one o'clock yesterday morning the
gauge marks on the wharf indicated depth
Of 81 feet, and the Ice was just commencing
10 come down. At 0 o'clock there was %
feet Of water, and as far as one could see all
was ice. The river was full OF big cakes that
we're continually piliug up over each other.
II was Alleghaney ice, and vas from u to 10
inches In thickness, clear as crystal and arm
as rock. It's long journey had served TO
break II all up. The immense cakes with
their Jagged edges were continually grinding
and crashing together with horrid seething
sound, and In several places played havoc
with the banks, while there foated BY every
now and then evidences OF the destruction
they had caused at points aboye, In the shape
OF barRes, flats, Ties, lumber, spars and parts
OF boats that had been crushed and ruined.
SCENES ON THE LEvEE.
The wharf and suspension bridge presented
spirited scenes all day yesterday. Crowds
were on hand Watching the turbulent river
from the different vantage points, crowdtng
around the bulletin boards 10 learn what the
latest was from headwaters and comparing
with Others how far up the levee the big rise
Of June, 1881 came. The Oldest inhabitant
was out In all his glory; there was plenty OF
him, too. He was found on nearly every
corner surrounded by listening congrega-
ton to whom he told stories that
would discount Verne. The man
who always knows everything, was
there OF course with an air that brooked no
denial, he told lust how much water there
would be, and as usual missed II by several
feet, but still he was in his element. Steam.
boatmen with an air OF Importance swag-
gered along and were gaEed at with great re.
spect The only steamer at the leyee proper
was the Diurnal and her broad decks always
held persons who were engaged in
watching the sight. The outside plat
form Of the p. W. & KY. freight
depot was also popular place, es.
pecially for small boys, who experienced
great delight in chasing the rats that were
driven ont from below by the rising waters.
A splendid view could be obtained from this
point in both directions.
AFTER SALVAGE.
About 10 o'clock the Belle Prince steamed
up and went out into the middle OF the river
for the purpose OF securing fine barge that
was coming down. ThesteameI experienced
considerable trouble, but reached the shore
in safety. Three times did she make the
perilous trip, but on going out for the fourth
barge that came along, her wheel got clogged
aud she ioated down past the levee and
around the bend in the midst OF the icy mass.
landing. Shortly after noon the ]. W. Gould
loated down, surrounded by ice. Her crew
was on board, but the engines were not work
ing.
During the morning some foolhardy men
ventured out from Armstrong; fat In u skill
for the purpose Of capturing some fine logs.
They succeeded, but from the shore itap-
peared as II they would be capsized every
moment. The ice shortly after 10 O'Clock,
commenced cutting into the bank at the p.
W. Il Ky depot in such manner that the
danger signal had TO be put out The ice
men were out and secured very large guam
tity OF fine clear cakes. Such little things as
these continued TO amuse the crowd as 1t
keep warm. An this time the ice kept rush
| ing by with sullen roar, as though Boosting
OF It's strength and the broken fragments Of
barges and RATS were seen everywhere.
THE SUBMERGED PORTIONS.
The river kept rising steadily, and at two
\ o'clock indicated 80 feet In the channel. As
there was still more water 70 come according
10 the bulletins, the lower Main street mer-
chants began 70 be alarmed, and their clerks
were put 70 work getting up goods from the
cellars. South street by SIX O'Clock was
crowded with barrels and boxes, while the
lower floors were well Uttered up. About
noon the grounds OF the West Virginia State
Fair and Exposition Association on the
Island, commenced to be submerged, and at
dusk were we'll covered. The river fence
was damaged little by the ice, but nothing
serious was anticipated. The bottom lands
O. the Island north OF the suspension bridge
were covered early In the day, and In the
afternoon the water commenced creeping
slowly over the old fair ground and up the
west end OF Virginia street.
Wheeling creek was backed up far out into
the country, doing little damsge to the
banks and bottom lands. Several passengers
coming In on the Hempheld were amused at
sign Just this side Of the tunnel, that rose
out OF the water covering the bottom lands.
| It bore the legend, "Lots for Sale
Cheap" No one doubted It All the
streams hereabouts were similarly backed up.
The P, W. & Ky. extension stood the water
and Ice nobly. A few spiles were lost by not
being securely fastened, At the La Belle
landing little excitement was caused by
boy falling into the angry waters A bank
caved in under him. He was rescued, being
only slightly bruised.