New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-13
THE OVERLOOKING RIVERS.

THE DAMAGE AT CINCINNATI GREAT
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DRIVEN FFoM THEIR HOMES
GREAT DAMAGE TO PRoPERTY-THE GAS SUP
PLY CUT OFF.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
CINCINNATI Feb 12.-The red Indian may have
witnessed such a volume of water in the Ohio, but
his white successor never before saw such flood as
is upon Cincinnati tonight. 1t has not come upon
the city with O rush; but the OHIO has slowly
swelled from fairrver and useful servant to yell
low that has sent its waves into the marts of the
city and put stop to business Thousands Of people
have been sent adrift without shelter and without
food, and the damages inflicted may, directly and
indirectly, amount 10 millions of dollars. Within
a space of twenty-five miles tributary to the city
probably as many more people are houselets and
without food. If they stay in their houses they
are isolated and must depend on chance for succorj
If they leave host of river pirates will despol the
deserted dwellings.
The Ohio River flows west between Cincinnati on
the Ohio side and Newport and Coyington on the
Ken lucky SIDE I he latter cities are separated
by tho Licking River. mile and a half below the
Licking River, Mil Creek empties into the river on
the Ohio side. The Licking has been flooded by Its
tributaries, and is raging torrent. Narrow, deep
and swift, ordinarily 1t is out of ITS banks for
miles, covering points of ground never before
touched by the floods. Along its banks are many
factories, large and small, rolling mills and fur
naces. All these flooded, their fires are out, and
their workmen are idle. Mill Creek forces its way
to the river, IN tho western part OF Gin
cinnai, flowing through wide val
lev, along which for five miles not only
dwellings but pOrk-plcbmg houses, slaughter
houses. divers manufacturing establishments ana
hundreds of market gardens, together win several
railroad tracks. All these are under water Inc
gardens are ruined. and great damage has been d0ue
the factories, packing houses and other buildings
but to what extent II il simply impossible to say:
On the streets nearest the river much OF inc
heavy wholesale business of this city Is done, ana
here many large factories OF nl
kinds machine shops c0al-yards, etc. rms
part of the city is now under water. from lew
inches to several feet deep while the cellars 10
two or three streets further back are Hooded. In
some of these streets steamboat could make her
way without difficulty CA SecOnd-st. the current
runs like a mllrace. Where there is only Ilttle
water, If the business isot Kind TO warrant u,
clerks and pOrters wade about in rubber hip
boot 3: but of the business places are lett IN
the charge OF watchmen. Most OF the GO us IN
hes- places have been removed to upper stores or 10
hlgher ground. In the streets iur iher Dack anu on
higher ground hundreds of h0gsheads OF tODaccO'
sugar etc.. from the flooded DISTRICTS are piled on
the sidewalks. To-day the weather was beautiful
and the streets were crowded with thousands OF
people In the upper portion of the city, along the
river bank live many poor people and most OF tue
and were forced to invade the central portion of
the town aud the fashionable streets. so that the
crowds were more diversified tnan ever DcIOIe
rhe fires of the gas works which
supply both this city and New
port, were put out yesterday afternoon.
To-day the lamp sores drew such trade n never
before. and candles are common as they were
hundred yeaIs ago. hree hundred thousand people
are cut OIL from their usual gas tonight ana the
streets aie In darkness, save for an occasional
electric light Ine theatres and OF her halls had
10 supply themselves with electric lights. oil
lamps or candles, and tho audiences bunked
their eyes under the unwOnted light and
we're as hilarious and jolly as they could
not have been Otner wise. The Water Works have
Under he most favorable circumstances the works
cannot resume IN time TO more than keep consumers
scantily supplied, and should great hre occur the
result would be disastrous. Should lire occur III
the oyeriOwed business district the FIRE department.
would be SIMPLY powerless . ~,
Only one railroad, the Cincinnati, damliiOn anu
DAYTON * above water. but only three lines have en-
tirely suspended busness-the OHIO ana mississippi,
the Cincinnati. indianapolis St. Louis and Chicago,
and the White Water road. There are ten
feet OF water over the track leading into the new
Union Depot, aud in the lower grounds me wafer
runs o, or the tops of some freight cars tat were
left on the trIc<.
The water will surely reach Its utmost height to-
night but "A week longer will be needed for the
river to fall within It's banks and allow tho full
measure of the damage tO be taken. AT y. III. tue
wafer Was sxty-lour feet ana one men
ON the gauge, TWO inches below the Hood
pussibly less may come. Measures are being taken
to meet promptly all cases OF DISTRESS winch are
many. The Chamber of Commerce to-day voted
No 900 for that purpose, and T9O37 more has been
added this afternoon by private subscriptions, ana
the work will be continued.