Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-10
WOE ALONG THE WATER.
TERRIBLE SCENES IN THE
FLOODED DISTRICTS.

Virginians-Rising Waters Reported !
from Both of These Sections.
CINCINNATI, Feb. 9, Jpn M.-The river
is siXty-three feet nine inches, and is
rising little more than half an inch per
hour. The weather is cloudy and cooler
and the wind is from the north. The
white flag is again floating from the
Signal Service office, which indicates
colder weather. The river is not likely
to fall here until the rush from above
takes place. At Ripley, only fifty miles
above Cincinnati, the river is rising to-day
an inch and a half an hour, and at IL
O'Clock a. m. it was within one inch OF
last years. high water mark. Rain was
falling there. The situation is unchanged,
except that the river rises. The loss to
lumber yards and property of that de-
scriptiOn increases. There has been no
loss by weakened foundations yet report
ed, and last years experience in that way
shows that not much damage Will result
from that cause.
LEAPING UP AT CINCINNATI.
CINCINNATI, Feb. 8, 9 P. M-At
O'Clock tonight the river marked sixty
four feet and one inch. This is signlfi-
cant, as showing that the rapid rise at
points above here reported yesterday and
the day before is beginning to be telt
here. The total rise of the past twenty
four hours exceeds that of the preceding
day. Il is the opinion of close observers |
of the Ohio river floods that not only will
the rise continue here until Monday, but
that sduring tonight and tomorrow
1t will be increased. The river has
already gone beyond the flood
of 1S47, making this the
third in rank. 1t has only
five inches to rise until the mark of the |
famous flood of 1882 is reached. There is
now no doubt that that point will be
reached. 1t has been said that the losses |
this year, with the same stage of water, |
would not be more than 10 per cent. of
those of last year. This applies mainly
to personal and household property, but /
in other and larger interests the loss must !
be heavy. The interruption to the busi-
ness of manufacturing, trading and trans /
pOrtatiOn must continue for from two to
tour weeks. Much damage has been
caused to the machinery by beng
submerged. Lumber and coal yards will
suffer to about the same extent as last
year. In Mill creek valley, where there
are immense vegetable gardens, the loss
is incalculable. 1t would be idle to COM
pute in figures the total losses up to this |
time. There has been no great disaster. /
No railroad property except the machine
shops have been injured. The tracks, en- /
bankments and bridges in the vicinity of
this city are all intact. The Cincinnati, |
Hamilton and Dayton Road has had no |
interference with its travel. It's depot IS
used by the New York, Pennsylvania and /
Ohio and the Cincinnati, Washington and /
Baltimore Roads. The Cleveland, Colum- /
bus, Cincinnati and indianapolis Road |
uses it's own track to the Eighth-street !
station, where the water covers the I
track.
short distance above the depot it's /
trains will stop a mile further out at the |
stock yards. The Pan Handle Road will /
not be able to use its depot tomorrow, |
but can stop short distance out. Nearly |
all the street cars are running on this |
side of the river, but none can cross to the /
Kentucky side. The relief work here |
grows daily as the stock of provisions of |
the poor families imprisoned in their /
houses diminishes. The best men in the /
city are directing the work and giving it /
their personal attention. In Newport, |
KY, the burden has grown so great that |
the Mayor has called on neighbOring Ken /
tucky towns for help.
FAMINE ADDED TO THE FLOOD.
WHEELING, w. VA, Feb. 8, A. NJ
Word has been received that the people |
at Wellsburg, twenty miles up the river, |
are suffering from famine. At BenwOod |
the situation was as bad, but a relief
party visited there on a steamer and left
liberal supply of provisions.
APPALLING DEVASTATION.
WHEELING, Feb. 8, 6 P. M.-The scene
in this city is indescribable as the waters
subside, and the amount of destruction to
he seen is appalling. The fire engines are
employed in washing off mud from the
streets as the water falls. A relief steamer
that went down the river to BenwOod,
MOundsville and Bellair has not yet re-
turned. They had on board plentiful
supply of provisions, and none in need of
food Will suffer. The points that suffer
worst are above this city, especially
Wellsburg. AS far as known at this time
no lives have been lost.
WHEELING BURIED IN MUD.
WHEELING, w. VA, Feb. 8, 7. p. M
The water has receded to 4S feet, leaving
three inches of muddy slime over the de-
serted streets. The gas will be turned on
this evening, but water famine is threat
ened. with no prospect of relief before
Monday. The home subscriptions for the
relief of the destitute have reached $4,000,
and plenty more is available. Provisions
are holding out well, and the promise OF
restored communication with the outside
world is bright. Relief parties have gone
to BenwOOd and Wellsburg by steamboat.
At West Wheeling, over the river, boats
were prevented from landing by inhabi-
tants. headed by State Senator Wagner,
who fired on one boat that made the at
tempt. 1t was feared that the wash of
the waves would further injure SUBJ
merged buildings.
AN APPEAL FOR AID.
WHEELING, w. Va, P. Mon the
representation of citizens of West Vir-
ginia that the local resources are INSULT
cient to relieve the suffering resulting
from the floods, the Governor has sent
dispatches to the Senators and Repre-
sentatives in Congress, asking that joint
resolution for the relief of the unfOrtu-
mates be increased to 81 100000.
The Whitaker Sheet Iron Works and
Chicago Car Roofing Company lose $40, 900.
THE BULLET RIDDLFD STEAMER.
The steamer John Lewis arrived from
down the river this evening. She was
riddled with bullets, and her passengers
were lying on the cabin floor covered
with mattresses and life preservers as a
protection from the missiles. The boat
left Parkersburg this morning. She re-
ports that many houses at New Martins
vile have been swept away. The Pitts
burg Stove Works and dyeing houses are
a total loss.
There is not vestige left of Cochran
vile, an Ohio village in Monroe county.
At MOundsville the prison ran out of
water, and citizens had to carry a supply
to the place. The reason given for firing
on the steamer was that the inhabitants
feared that the waves from the vessel
would complete the work of destruction
done by the flood.
AMONG THE HOMELESS.
The situation here among the
homeless who are sheltered in
school houses, churches and other
buildings grows worse. Not enough
food can be procured to feed them
and give aid to neighboring towns that are
suffering. Mayor Miller said tonight |
that he had hoped to avoid appealing for |
aid to the country at large, but now
feared that it would have to be done. |
Clothing, food and money are badly !
needed. Two children died to-day from
exposure and insufficient and unfit food. |
That the worst has not yet begun is
sickening conclusion to which the |
thoughtful are forced.
MORE FAVORABLE REPORT.
TOLEDO, OHIO, Feb. 8, 8 P. M.-RepOrts !
from up the river to-day show a more
favorable condition of affairs. While very
high water is still reported, the river has |
fallen some during the day. The ice |
gOrges remain firm and the water is Dass- |