Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-02-15
SOUTHEASTERN FLOODS.
Havoc by Water ia and About I.nuisville
and Cincinnati. ~ en-

AOulhfuIe, n.y., EcUs lL-xQe steady
rise in the river each hour has dashed
the hopes OF those who thought the
Hood had expended its force ycstetdsy.
The highest point of February, 1882. was
reached this afternoon, and passed, and
it is now more than thirty-six feet on the
falls and slxty-four in tho chaanel at the
foot OF the falls, which is but two feet
below the great flood of 1847. The
river is yet rising slowly, with the great
tide from the Kentucky river to be
added. Houses along the river front are
vacated and the drift is damaging them
seriously, breaking doors and windows,
Fourth street is closed from Main to
Windsor,
Nine squares Of Portland are az tho
mercy Of the water, business being st1n
end. 1t is estimated that in Bhipping.
port and Portland 300 people are home.
less: Very many OF them are quite
poor. Great suffering exists. TIE more
fortunate open their doors to the dis.
tressed, five families being crowded into
one small house. The losses here
will aggregate $4,000: In
the city proper heavy damage
IS done by the stoppage Of wolk in the
factories, 1900 men being thrown out oil
employment. Mcikle & Co.'S great plow
works, the Louisville iron works, Dennis
Longs extensive pipe works, the Ken.
tucky lead and oil works, Bridgeford &
Co.'s stove works, and the Excelsior Cen.
trail rolling mill are among tile establish.
ments closed. Others must follow to.
morrow, unless the water subsidies. The
mayor has ordered lying in hospital to
be made ready to receive the sufferers
where they are to be cared for at the
city's expense. The Louisville hotel
company opened free lunch house fol
women and children flood sufferers on
Main street, which will be maintained
during the food. The cut off in the
eastern part of the city, u water barrier
protecting thousand homes, is weaken
ing. If it breaks no estimate can be put
on the amount of suffering or loss of
property. The truth is that it is i'm
possible to estimate the losses now. The
only bright side is that not .one life has
been lost.
+ X s. X y y i
The cut off dam, overcome by the ter.
rife weight OF water from above, gave
way instantly and with loud roar the
flood rushed over. 1t may be imagined
with what force the waters came when
they had fallen Is to 18 feet to the low
ground beneath. In less time than it
takes to tell, the yellow tide was sweep
ing in from all points, and the unfortun-
ate people were surprised in their houses
with the mighty rush of water, swept
from square to square, rapidly rising ia
the houses, and sweeping many from
their The scene was awful
The roar Of the waters could not drown
the cries of the terrified ones who were
escaping from the doomed dwellings
Skiffs shot about from window to win
dow. Men, women and children wadet
through the advancing waters, each will
whatever household goods they coult
lay hands on. Bonfires glimmered from
the higher grounds which the peor out
casts had gained. Hundreds of peopl,
shivered for want Of clothing about the
smoking fire. To the observer who
stands to-day at the foot of jackson
Shelly or Clay streets it is impossible tc
understand why the loss of life was moi
larger.
The scene of last night beggars descrip
ton. People blisstully sleeping IN fool
ish confidence that the embankment
would shelter them were rudely awaken
ed by the flood coming into their house
Some were even surprised in bed. Whel
the stroke came it was like lightning. Ii
the darkness and cold they fed til,
watery death, half-clothed and carrying
nothing with them save the children an(
the helpless. The panic was indescrib
able. With the awful roar and shrek
of terror the stricken people hurried t,
higher ground, leaving their homes ant
possessions. The city has become relic
committee, the mayor at its head
Everything possible is being done. Th
entire northeastern corner is picture O
utter destruction, thirty.five squares be
ing under water, and the whole point
submerged. The country beyond th
cutoff, comprising $50 houses, known q
Bowlesville, is flooded. Half of Portlan
and all OF Shippingport are waves. Th
outlook is appalling, and thousands G
spectators are viewing the scene. Til
houses, mostly frail cottages, are ovel
turned, buildings crushed to pieces, an
perhaps one.third of them have entlre!
disappeared. The river is full of drift
ing timbers, sash, doors, and confuse
mass OF household goods. Mothers avail
ened at night rushed through the waite,
with their babes held aloft. The sic
were carried in skiffs to safety, and som
climbed trees. The river is still rising o
inch per hour and is now over thirty
nine feet.
The river continued to rise slowly q
day and is now about 661a feet at til
foot OF the canal, and Il feet at the hea
waters. A warm, light rain is fsllin,
with Indications of an increase durin
the night. The rise is now one inc
II = - - -
below that of 1892. The point whel
last nights disaster occurred hy fas
nights flood extends over o space over
quarter of mile wide aud moro than
mile in length. Over 2s0 houses al
either under water or else floating abou
The fact that the water is compa,ativel
still prevents most of the houses frol
floating away. while many are tied wit
heavy cables. A gratifying feature {
the flood is that comparatively few NJ
thought to have lost their lives. Man
of the occupants Of the houses in I'll
submerged districts had removed, al
thus escaped. The fact that the survi,
ors are scattered over the city renders
impossible to make definite statemer
as to who are lost or who are saved, an
it is sufficient to saT that the death ro
is smaller than the circumstances ind
cate. Those known to be lost al
John Finch and son, asma!l boy, Geore
Lynch, Edward Harris. George Bel
and Harry Browning. The lieutenant
police and family, wife and children, al
missing, butt is hoped that they ha
moved out. These names are oil til,
could be learned, but it is feared til.
} when the river subsides ghnstly scene
will be found in the houses now uud,
water, us it is scarcely probable so sma
list as this will close the death rate.
: far as hoard all yet alive have been r
: moved from the houses. A man vi
, seen to trantically call for help from Il