davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-13
DAMAGE AT PoAIEROY.

The Water Seven Feet Higher than the Mark
Reached by Any Previous Flood.
PoMERoY, O., Feb. 12-The water of the
Ohio reached its highest point here, yesterday
when it was at least seven feet higher than
any previous flood had ever attained. Since that
time it has fallen three feet and is gradually re-
ceding. Nine-tenths of the buildings in the town
are still in the water, and about $50 were moved
from their foundations of which onesixth foated
off down the river No lives have been lost, but
the damage to property is immense and cannot
be estimated. The extent of the rise being un-
precedented, and communication with points
above being shut Off our people were not pre-
pared for the last eight feet of water that came.
Many moved four times. The depot of the Co.
lumbus, Hooking Valley & Toledo railway
foated off Friday afternoon, and was fol
lowed on Saturday and Sunday by numerous
store buildings, residences, barns, etc.
Many of the laboring people had been
out of employment for some time
past, and being driven from their homes by the
food are more or less destitute. In many cases
the people who had removed their household eff
fects and provisions to the second stories had
them destroyed or damaged. The water yester-
day morning stood eighteen inches on the second
floor of the Grand Delcher, the principal hotel
Several salt furnaces here and in the neighboring
towns are completely wrecked and others badly
damaged Thousands of barrels of manufactured
salt have been destroyed. The coal mines at
Minersville Syracuse and Hartford CITY, and
neighboring villages, are flooded, and it will re-
quire months of time and large expense to free
them from the water. In the meantime many
miners will be obliged to seek employment else
where. The Hartford City Coal and Salt Com
pany estimate their damages at $780,
000 The Syracuse Coal and Salt Company
have suffered nearly as badly. At Racine,
nine miles above here, one hundred and five
houses are moved from their foundations, and a
number have aoated away. A similar condition
of affairs exists along the river between here and
Parkersburg. NIiddleport two miles below
Pomeroy, is also under water. Many merchants
there, not anticipating the great rise left their
goods in their stores, and awoke on Satur-
day morning to find them under water
Appeals sent out by our relief committee are
being generously responded to- The Western
Union Telegraph Office was flooded on Thursday
night, since which time we have been without
telegraph communication until tonight, when the
wires were got into working order again. No
newspapers have been received for nearly a
week. There is, at 10 o'clock tonight, about
twelve feet of water on Front street, the main
business street of the town, and falling two
inches an hour
The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-13
RIVER BULLETINs
Sixty-Nine Feet at Cincinnati, and Rising
Nearly an Inch an Hour.

Sixty-Nine Feet at Cincinnati, and Rising
Nearly an Inch Hour.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
CINCINNATI, Feb. ID A. Mt is simply
impossible to convey by words the horri-
bleness of the situation here. Rain has been
coming down in torrents all night and the rain
area extends all over the country drained by the
Ohio river. At Gallipolis and one or two other
points, the river is falling, but it is rising
rapidly all above those Places and it is
thought that the fall at Gallipolis will not reach
here at all.
The river at II o'clock measured sixty-nine
feet and one-fourth of an inch-nearly
three feet more than last year, and is rising
rapidly. There is no telling now how
much water will come. The people are pre-
pared to hear anything, Thousands here are
in distress, and the supplies for them are not
nearly equal to the demand
The situation at Newport is alarming. The
pumps at the water-works have all stopped, and
the water in the reservoirs will not last longer
than Saturday.
At Catlettsburg, KY, the river has come to a
stand, leaving one hundred or more buildings
removed from their foundations. Ashland, KY,
has been sending skiff loads of provisions up all
day.
At Maysville, KY, the river is FIVE feet higher
than last years flood and rising half an inch an
hour More than a thousand people are home
less. The public schools have been dismissed
and the buildings are occupied by the sufferers.
At Ripley o., the river is five feet four inches
higher than ever known, and rising quarter of
inch an hour. The supply of provisions is
about exhausted, and there is much suffering
from want of food. The brave girl who is tele-
graph operator was perched on the roof of
house, as a last resort and remained at her post
till the wire refused to work. More than two
thirds of the town is under water.
At Portsmouth the river is nearly on a stand
There is great Distress and many houses have
foated away Two children were drowned.
Fire, on Sunday, burned from Shay's corner to
Second street Loss, $50, 900; insurance, 500, OOO
The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-13

this work had to act arbitrarily in some cases
and compel the people to leave their houses. In
two or three of these cases the houses are now off
their foundations or are washed away. I'M
doubtedly there would have been loss of life if
the people had been left to act in their own be-
half, so tenaciously do they cling to their little
al of property.
Owing to the general impression here that the
flood would not exceed last year, and that the
losses will be less and the suffering less contri-
buttons are much slower coming in. They have
now reached about twenty yfve thousand dollars,
exclusive of the $4,000 appropriated
by the Council This has been an
ticipated already and drafts will
have to be made soon on the appropriation,
unless funds come in faster. The representa-
tive here of the Columbus Buggy Company Co
lumbus, o., received a telegram that the en-
ployes have given days wages, amounting to
$1,000, and many were doubling their subscrip-
tions. Among the people from abroad who have
contributed are George W. Childs, of Phiadel-
phia, $500, and Henry Irving $3.50 The com
mittee will persist in their determination to dis
burse all contributions from abroad among the
sufferers outside of Cincinnati.
Tonight had frightful beginning by reason
of the high wind, which threatened for time to
be a severe gale, but though strong it was not
steady enough to start the waves, so as to do
any great damage so far as known now.
There is great danger, however,
that the agitation of the water
by the wind will loosen houses from their
foundations. Several more houses at Newport
have left their foundations, and some are tum-
bled over Fortunately all were deserted before
hand. The occupants of water-bound houses,
some with no lights to break the gloom, must
have heard the bowling of the wind and beating
rain tonight with feeling of almost hopeless
helplessness. News from the exposed
places like New Richmond o., aud Lawrence
burg, Ind, is awaited with dread. Reports
ceived tonight from Newport on this point are
reassuming.
The river at 10 p. NJ is sixty-eight feet, ten
and one-quarter inches, and rising half an inch
an hour. 1t is raining hard
The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-13

to the food sufferers along the Kanawha river
yesterday and last night. The Associated Press
correspondent, who was along. took close OBJ
servation of the damages and learned from those
met that no such suffering has ever been caused
by high water on the Kanawha river At Buff
talo, half the town is submerged. but the peo-
pie as a general thing are well supplied with
food. AT Leon, place of 200 people, all houses
are under water and the inhabitants suffering
for food and clothing At Point Pleasant
town of 1900 people, there is
not foot of ground which is not at least six
feet under water. Storehouses, goods, dwell
ings, in fact all kinds OF houses are hid from the
second story by water Fully 100 houses
have been upset and washed away The people
are living on the decks of barges, in the court
house, in fact, wherever they can get shelter
Many have gone to the hills for safety. This
city has sent at least So 900 worth of provisions
cooked to the sufferers along the river, and to-
morrow the government boat Bee will leave here
with a second load of provisions for river towns
The steamer Winona left here to-day with a load
Of provisions for various towns along the Kama
wha river. This city sent provisions to Cyan
dotte, on the Chesapeake g. Ohio railroad, for
the food sufferers. The people viii have to be
fed for fully eight days yet. They are truly ina
deplorahle condition. Many farmers have lost
all their corn, wheat, hay and oats; also, some
stock along the Kanawha river and help is
needed forthwith
The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-13
CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE.
A Brief Season of Sport Among Chi
cagO's Spectators in Grain.
Provisions Show Less Strength than at Any
Time During the Past Week-The
Bulls" Preparing for Movement.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
CHICAGO, Feb 12.-The early morning quota
tions were illustrative of considerable strength
and activity all around. There was, for an hour
or so, good deal of sport. The price of wheat
for the May option advanced from $102 IL at
the opening to $1.03. From this point gradual
decline started, resulting in loss of all that had
been gained 1t is said that there were num-
ber of heavy holders who bought few days ago
at 81 or slightly above, and, satisfied with sure
profit of 1202c. unloaded and took it. The
continued bad weather and increasing disasters
by food, while they have absolutely nothing to do
with present stocks of wheat and very little to do
with the coming crop, are successfully used as a
''bull" argument.
The strength in provisions was hardly as
marked as it has been for the past week. An
advance in pork amounting to about zoe
scored, but was lost at the close Less activity
was observable in all articles on the list
than has been the case since the re-
ceipts of hogs began to drop off so per
ceptibly. May pork closed to-day at 1897 1-2,
after reaching $3.50. There are plenty of
provision men who have faith that it will go to
$40.
There was considerable improvement in the
corn market prices opening 3Sc above yester-
days close and scoring actual gain of 34c.
There is some reason why the condition of the
weather should be called to account for the
fluctuations in corn, and the ''bulls" will un-
doubtedly make the most of it On the whole,
there was little of interest transpiring
to-day in connection with local transac-
tions in grain and provisions but it is
whispered that the "bears" are tuning their
fddles and expect soon to lead the "bulls" a
lively dance.
On call, wheat was active and freely offered.
Corn was a shade irmer on the curb. Wheat
was strong until 3 o'clock, when it weakened,
and pork and ribs were in sympathy. The
latest quotations were: May wheat $1.02 1-2;
corn, SO 12e oats, 81 12c; pork, 1897 IL; lard,
TO- 10c; ribs 9.62 IL.
The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-13
But Little Suffering at Louisville.

LOUISVILLE Feb. 12-The river continues
to rise. From indications from above it
will continue rising until all previous records
have been passed. The water has been
rising all day half an inch an hour
The canal gauge now registers forty-two feet
eleven inches The kentucky river is still
rising at Frankfort and above. The weather is
still warm and it has been raining since noon.
There is little suffering here. The Cincinnati
Shortline track through East Louisville is un
der water tonight Trains only come as far as
the eastern city limits. 1t was at this hour just
a year ago that the fill above the city gave way
suddenly and inundated the "Point, with great
loss of property and several lives.
IO:30-The river continues to rise.
The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-13
THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI.
The Water Expected to Reach the Danger
Line by SUNDAY.

The Water Expected to Reach the Danger
Line by Sunday.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Feb 12.-The river here to-
gauge, which is one foot and seven inches below
the danger line and three feet, seven inches be-
low the extreme high water mark. The rise during
the past twenty four hours has been only four
inches, due to the fact that the river has gone
over the banks above here and is filling up the
sunk lands of the St Francis river, which will it
is thought, interfere with travel over the Mem
phis & Little Rock railroad by Friday. Ar
rangements have already been made by the of.
ticials of that road to put in line of steamers
between here and Madison, Ark, on the St
Francis river, to connect with the railroad at
field & Memphis railroad will also feel
the effect of the high water as their
road-bed extends through the St Francis river
bottom from Mark Three on the St Francis
river to Memphis. They will also put in line
of packets to Mark Three or may make arrange
into Helena, Ark, and establish a line of con
Meeting packets between Memphis and that city.
They have issued an order not to receive any
more freight, but passenger trains are running
regularly The rise from now on will necessari-
ly be slow, owing to the water spreading out in
the interior. The danger line will probably be
reached by Sunday. The heather continues
threatening 1t rained heavily all afternoon,
with promise of more before morning
The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-13
Action of Cities and Corporations.

CLEVELAND Feb. ia meeting of citizens
was held at the Board of Trade rooms to-day,
Mayor Farley presiding to arrange to send re
lief to the sufferers by the Hoods in the southern
part of the State and in West Virginia. A relief
committee was appointed and arrangements
made to secure supplies of provisions and cloth
ing TO send at the earliest moment. One thou
sand dollars was telcgraphed to Pomeroy, Ohio
add $500 to Wheeling. Eight Thousand pounds of
pilot-b bread was ordered baked immediately to be
forwarded to sundry points.
PHILADELPHIA. Feb. 12.-The society for or
canizing charity has voted 81 600 for the relief
of sufferers by the flood, that being the sum re
manning from the fdnd raised last spring for
similar purpose. DreXel & Co. have been made
treasureIs of the Western flood relief fund.- and
distributing committee appointed
The committees later decided to telegraph $500
each to Portsmouth and Athens and 81, 900 to
Galipos, and directed the secretary to tele-
graph Mr.. Murat Halstead, editor of the Cincin-
natl Commercial Gazette, and request him to
telegraph the exact situation of affairs and
mention the towns most needing help. MIR.
Halstead to night telegraphed George W. Childs,
of the Ledger, that the money being sent from
the East is being used to load relief boat
which will be sent to the towns up the river
early tomorrow.
The Pennsylvania Railroad Company contri-
buted 81, 600 for the sufferers by the Western
floods, 81 600 to be distributed from the Pitts
burg office, and 81 600 each along the line of tho
Panhandle and Pittsburg, Fort Wayne Il Chi
cagO roads.
DAYTON. O., Feb. PA public meeting was
held to-day, at which resolution was adopted
petitioning the Legislature to appropriate $500,
900 for relief of food sufferers in Ohio. Aspecial
meeting of the City Council was called, at which
the action of the citizens meeting was adopted.
BosroN, Feb IA committee of citizens
has been appointed to make collections for the
sufferers by the Western floods.
BALTIMORE, Feb - Robert Garrett has
ordered FREQ transportation Of provisions or
The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-13
The Work Entered Upon.
To the Western Associated Press.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 12,-The Secretary of
War is taking active measures looking to the re-
lief of sufferers from the overflow of the Ohio
and tributaries in accordance with the oct appro-
priating 5000 600 for that purpose Orders were
issued to-day for General Amos Beekwith, assist
ant commissary general, stationed at ST. Louis,
to proceed at once to Cincinnati, where he will
have general charge of the distribution of sup
plies. He will establish headquarters at Cincin-
matt and act directly under orders from the Sec
retary of War Orders were also issued for the
purchase of supplies and charter of sufficient
number of boats to distribute them where most
needed. 1t has also been arranged that an
officer of the army shall accompany each boat
and superintend the issue of supplies. The 90
eral plan Of relief determined upon is the 81 ;.
as pursued in affordng relief to the suffe
from the overflow of the Mississippi river las
year. In order to give personal attention to
this subject, Secretary Lincoln has abandoned
his proposed trip to Chicago
The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-13
Property DESTROYED by a Tornado.

WACO Tex, Feb. 12-The rain storm prevail
ing for several days developed this morning into
a perfect tornado, and about o'clock a strong
southwest wind struck the city, increasing in vio-
lence until o'clock, when tornado of no little
fury swept over the southern portion of the city,
doing considerable damage to property. DR..
Burles0n's residence, occupied by Rev.
o. c. Blunt and family, was thrown
over, but the occupants escaped injury.
The Horn place, on South First street,
and residence on South Fourth street, belong
ing to W. H. Calfe, were also blown down. The
music room at the Waco University was blown
off brick foundation. Two barns on South
Fifth street and one on Webster street were de-
molished, and many chimney ffues and great
number of fruit and shade trees, and large
amount Of fencing were ruined. Train men say
the storm extended from Taylor to Waco 1t
was quite severe at Bartlett and Ranger, blow
ing down houses at both places.
The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-13
P1TTsBURG AND ALLEGHENY.
Both Rivers Rising, and People Apprehen-
sive of Another Flood:

Both Rivers Rising, and People Apprehen-
sive of Another Flood:
PTTTsBURG, Pa, Feb. 12-The rivers are
swelling again at the rate of two inches an hour,
with eighteen feet and three inches on the
Monongahela marks and nineteen feet on the
Allegheny. Dispatches from points above re-
port continued rains and the water rising. The
people living in the bottom lands are filed with
apprehension of another flood. Many have not
yet recovered from the late deluge, and the dis
couraging outlook tends to increase the uncom-
Portable feeling. With nineteen feet of water
now submerging the lower districts of the two
cities it is quite probable the situation of affairs
among the sufferers in Allegheny is worse, if
possible, than on any day since the flood abated,
and numerous additional cases of destitution are
reported. Many of the victims, in addition to
having been systematically plundered by the
waters, were thrown out of employment by the
work shops being devastated, and under any cir
cumstances this fact alone is productive of more
OF less want among the poorer classes. At least
thirty-ive hundred more people were supplied
with food yesterday.
The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-13
BETTER OUTLOOK AT WHEELING.
Clearing Away the Debris-Remarkable Phe-
nomenon at Powhatan.

WHEELING, w. Va, Feb. 12.--The river is
twenty feet. It has fallen steadily but
slowly since Wednesday night The weather is
clear and warm. Slow progress is made in clear
ing away the debris left by the water. The
number of destitute has been materially re-
dueed, but several thousand are still dependent
on the relief committee, principally women and
children, or old men, Since the flood has re-
ceded a peculiar phenomenon is noticed. At
Powhatan sand and water are thrown consd.
cradle height by three regular geysers, which
attracts many sight-seers. William Derry,
aged forty y-fve, stumbled on a package
on the lower deck of the Abner
O'Neil, en- route up the river, and fell
into the water, short distance above town.
The body has not been recovered. An immense
landslide on the hill in the Second ward, result
ing from the recent rain threatens four or Eve
The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-13
RELIEF MEASURES.
The Secretary of War Taking Active Meas
ures for the Relief of Sufferers,

Special to tho indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Feb 12.-Messrs VOORHEES, and
Rice called upon the Secretary of War to-day in
reference to the distribution to Indiana flood suf-
ferers of her share of the $780, 900 appropriated
yesterday by Congress. The trio took map,
traced it over carefully, noting the exposed posi-
tions of the towns and country along the Indiana
side of the Ohio river and after figuring the sit
uation, the Secretary of War agreed to be as lib
eral as possible with Indiana in the distribution
of the money. 1t is thought her people viii get
about $75, 600 or $Se 600 of the $500, 0OO approp
ated
The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-13

houses. Two small tenements belonging to
man named White were deserted to-day by the
panic-stricken inmates.
Donations for the benefit of the flood sufferers
are still coming in literally, but the committee
is at heavy expense yet Senator Payne, OF
Ohio telegraphed subscription of 81, 900 to-day.
A telegram was received from the Secretary of
War authorizing the mayor to expend $4,000,
and draw on the department. The relief com
mittee reports that the worst need is clothing
and bedding.
The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-13
Increasing Distress at Aurora.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
AURORA, Feb. 12-The situation here to-day
is worse than last year in many respects. This
morning large number of honsAs were moved
from their foundations. The Wilkes House has
fioated away; William Days house foated down
against the wharf-boat and lodged there; Mrs
Christy's house is off its foundations, and the
wings from Matthew Haring's house have been
torn away; Days paint shop has been turned
over, and there are scores of stables and other
out buildings afoat. The damage to the Aurora
Distilling Company will amount to $2O,
900. The brewery will also lose heavily.
The loss here is already as great as last year,
and much more is expected. All telegraph com
munication east is cut off. The water is over
the 0. G. NJ. track about two miles west Of Au-
rora, and the probabilities now are that the
trains will be compelled to stop running
Robert Minich died last night while being
transferred in boat from his home to place of
safety. The funeral took place this afternoon,
the procession going in boats to the cemetery,
two miles down the river.
Reports from Patriot are very distressing.
The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-13

Special to the indianapolis journal.
PROFESSIONALLY, Feb. I2-The situation at
Jeffersonville could hardly be worse; four-fifths
or more of the city is flooded, and the river still
rising All business is suspended, bakeries,
groceries, provision houses, the markets, the
dry goods stores, even the postoffce and tele-
graph office are inundated. The posto1ice
and telegraph office have been moved
the temporary dams and bulk
heads, mentioned in yesterdays Dispatch in
creased the inpour of waters late into the night
and sent fierce currents through the streets
To-day the flood has steadily increased and
pouls in over the J., NJ. & l., embankment from
the west. The embankment is still intact, but
the overflow has stopped all trains to New AL
bany over this road. A few through passengers are
ferred over the overfowed embankment in
boats. but the ride is perilous. All agree that
the present status of affairs could hardly be
more gloomy. There will be heavy losses, but
no accurate estimate of their amount can now
be made There will also be much real suffering
and not little pinchlng, The citizens are doing
their best to meet the emergency in assisting the
needy. They are reluctant to ask for outside
aid but there will come a time, and it is not far
off. when they will be no longer able to meet the
demands upon their humanity and purses Front
street alone and Prison hill are out of the
water and the flood continues to swell. The
city is in an angry sea of waters, and the tides
rush merciessly everywhere. 1t was blustery
and rainy during the afternoon. Heavy winds
for any length of time will cause great destruc-
ton of property Two feet more of water is ex
pected to add to the terrors and ealamites of
the city The situation is alarming and distress
ing beyond description.