The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-17
The Distress Among the People OF
CumminsviIle and Newport.
Frightfui Condition of Affairs in Newport
People Obstinateiy CiinginE to Their
Submerged Houses.
CINCINNATI.
Tho Throng of Sisht-Seers-T The Danger
from Overloaded Buildings.


from Overloaded Buildings.
Collated from Yesterdays Cincinnati Papers.
1t was well nigh impossible to get along
the streets on the borders Of the flood for
thousands of people, taking advantage of
the bright sun, secured skffs, and, guided by
skillful gondoliers, were glided through the
inundated quarters of the stricken city.
Everything in the way OF boat or raft was
filled with tourists, who, for the time being.
forgot the suffering and misery caused by
the waters which they passed SO peacefully.
The novelty ola ride from Pearl and Vine
streets to Cummnsville in a skif is one
which is not likely to occur again in a cen
tury, and. from the bitter experience with
the present deluge, no one can want to see
such waste of water again. Young Ameri-
ca has taken the horn from the oldest in
habitant on a big river, and not one of the
hundreds of thousands of people in this city
can ever forget the suffering and terror
caused by the high waters of February, 1883
The real danger from the flood. however,
is not yet reached; and the question now is
how to save the buildings and property,
which the departing waters may carry with
them in their downward course. Many per-
sons have loaded their goods in the top
stories OF their houses, and when the food
subsidies the buildings perhaps may be
crushed to atoms by the heavy and unequal
weight from the highest floor
The buildings on the river front are nearly
all built upon gravel, which is sure foun-
dation, and the force of the water cannot
shake them. But with the weight of the
building unequally distributed by the stor-
age of goods so far above. the house is liable
to destruction. The property should be
moved, in the opinion of competent build
ers to the floor just above the high water.
Merchants and manufacturers in the water
washed bottoms are in mortal dread of biz
zard for if cold snap should come and
freeze the water the breaking ice would crush
all before it, and the loss would be millions
upon millions of dollars
high wind is also much dreaded, and
upon the absence of these unfavorable condi-
tions depends the saving of property in the
flood bounded sections of this city. The I'M
fortunates blockaded in their homes grow
better and better satisfied with their condi-
ton, and many of them, were it not for the
inconvenience of being unable to get about
would be content to live at the expense of a
generous and sympathizng public. The re-
lief boats continue to visit the quarters
where help is most needed, and 10 complaint
worthy,of notice has yet reached the atten-
ton Of the vigorous and efficient relief com
mittee, whose headquarters are besieged all
day and far into the night by applications for
food and clothing.
But there is necessity for more money
and donations of clothing and provisions
for the strain upon the resources of the conf
mittee has been very severe, and the i'm
mensity of the work III the large amount of
money required to provide for $4,000 desti-
tute people becomes more and more apparent.