The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-24


able Conduct of Wealthy Residents.
Special to Cincinnati News.
The 22d day OF February, 1882, Just one
year ago to-day, marked the highest point of
the most destructive food that ever visited
this city up to that time. Then the water
came on the people with a rush and they
barely escaped with their lives TO their
second stories. Many lost everything they
possessed The citizens, by great energy and
perseverance, soon rallied, but no sooner
were they fairly on the road to prosperity
than most disastrous confagraton visited
the city and swept from existence a number
of the principal business houses. Not to be
daunted by this the citizens went to work
and rebuilt in fine style, purchased two steam
fire engines repaired the streets, and
otherwise beautifed their town, only
to have the most destructive Hood
of all time come and leave it a total wreck.
Even this last straw, heavy as it is, does not
break the camel's back. The Lawrenceburg
ers however admit that they are somewhat
disfigured but claim that they are still in the
ring They refused help one year ago, but
now they are asking for it,
The committee appointed at the citizens
meeting to go to indianapolis returned last
night. The Governor, upon hearing their
report, Immediately sent a message to the
Senate, urging it to pass the bill appropriate
ing 500 900 extra for the relief of the flood
sufferers. There is no doubt but that the bill
will pass, and in case it does, the committee
think that $50. 600 will be given Lawrence
burg In addition to this the committee will
ask the county commissioners for a sum not
exceeding s25 coo and of course it will he
given. This though scarcely a drop in
the bucket as compared with their losses,
will be sufficient to put most OF them on
their feet again. This money if received,
will be placed in the hands OF proper COM
mittee, and will be used for the purpose of
replacing houses, furnishing homes for those
who lost their houses entirely and furnish
ing work for those thrown out of employ
ment None of this money will be used for
food or clothing. These they will furnish
themselves after few days. Everybody has
gone to work with a will and determination
to put the town to rights. help or no help.
if it takes a whole lifetime tC do it.
THE PRESENT SITUATION.
About two-thirds of the town is now out of
water, though small oceans surround it on
all sides. The city, if city tmight be called,
presents a more CHASTITY appearance than it
did when covered with water Then the
destruction was hidden; now it is all laid
bare, and one cannot imagine a more desc
late-looking place. The streets are full of
lumber, logs, houses, barns, furniture dam
aged produce, and filth OF all kinds-every-
thing covered with mud In Germantown,
where all the house were frame, even
the streets cannot be outlined,
and that street known as "Burkham's
row" was entirely washed away.
The destruction in the business part of the
town is complete. Mr.. Ferris moved his
piano and furniture from his residence 10 his
drug store for safety. and when the water
reached his store lie had no other place to
take them, ard such a mixture of drugs,
pianos, furniture etc, one never saw. Every
thing was entirely ruined. Joseph May did
not get to move an article from his store, and
the water reached the ceiling. One can
rather imagine than describe the destruction.
Jacob Wiles, the merchant tailor, had nearly
all his fine stock of goods wet and many rolls
of fine cassimeres were washed away entirely.
These are merely instances; there are dozens
OF stores of all kinds in the same condition.
A careful record of the loss of buildings
shows that manufacturing establishments,
business houses, 40 dwellings and sta
bles are known to have been swept away en-
tirely, while there were 179 dwellings 1873
barns, 10 shops, 6 business houses, the floral
hall at the fair grounds. and oHthouses with
ont number were moved from their founda-
tons and scattered promiscuously about
town.
Dr. Catch conceived and carried out the
idea of converting the school-house into a
hospital, and removing the sick from the
courthouse thereto. They have been fur
nished with clean bedding, and there is some
chance now of their getting well. The hos
pltal contains twenty persons, some of whom
are very low. Clothing and provisions are
still coming in. and in a short time all will
be made comparatively comfortable
Clothing is now Distributed from z. 6.
Hayes's residence, in Greendale, and food
q. 8
that the rich man has not deserted the poor
lien whose wealth would enable them to go
anywhere. and live in any style they pleased
ave staid and assisted with all their power
IT. Hayes has had not less than fortv-ffve
persons at his house during the entire flood
ard it is nothing uncommon to see men
wor h 500 900 or 900 in rubber boots
reaching up to the tops of their legs. wading
through mud and water. relieving the dis
tressed Major Roberts has worked night
and day, and deserves the greatest praise.
DIR. Catch, Col. Bannster, Warren Tebbs, F.
r. Dorman and many others. spared no
efforts to relieve distress in every quarter.
Washington's Birthday Appropriately Hon
ored at the House of Refuge.
Under the direction of Superintendent
Charlton, of the House of Refuge, pleasant
entertainment was given in the chapel on
Thursday night, to which a number of Indi-
annapolis people were invited ord some of
whom contributed Four hundred boys of
all ages, together with the officers and their
families, aid number OF the good people of
Plainfeld, completely filled the room, and
listened with marvellous good humor to a
programme, which embraced, of course
speeches. music, Rotations, and a Punch
and Judy exhibition. The Sawdust Brothers
-Messrs John 6. Blake, ]. Burgess Brown
DR.. Woodland and NJ. D. Butler-sang several
selections, such as "St. Patrick's Day Parade"
and others equally appropriate, and Mr.