The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-08

Scenes in the Flooded District.
Cincinnati News Journal.
The scene yesterday throughout the districts
ON which the water was encroaching was but a
repetition of the picture presented last year; if
there was any change it was only noticeable in
the increased activity and hustle. In the neigh
borhood of Front street the thoroughfares were
blocked with vehicles of all descriptions, and
travel of any kind was rendered perious. The
fruit and commission houses were the last to re-
treat, and narrowly escaped considerable loss, as
in several cases the water measured several feet
in depth before all merchandise was removed.
Last height the weird scene of city engulfed
once more was prominent with all its hideous-
ness of aspect. The subdued wishwash of the
rising waters as they slowly ascended those
streets running at right angles to the river, min
gled strangely with the shrill call of the uncouth
gondolier of this Western city Along Vine
street the gaunt telegraph poles were adorned
with large rejecting lanterns whose dismal yet
cheering rays threw strange light upon the
Surroundings, which had the effect of presenting
4; weird and ghostly picture. But few business
houses were open, almost every preparation hav-
ing been made during the day.
The present all-powerful rush of waters now
devastating the Ohio valley is the most startling
illustration of the overpowering influence of ma
lures sturdiest element that has ever been pre-
sented to the present generation of Cincinnatians
The great waste of rushing pushing waters, each
ripple vainly endeavoring to overtake and pass
its predecessor, bearing upon its stanch and
troubled crest the accumulated debris of hun
dreds of miles of the river banks, in its journey
toward the great gulf, presents spectacle of
unutterable awe, and forcibly impresses upon
the minds of all beholders the sublime and
miraculous strength of the overruling Deity.
Seldom is such an occasion presented by which
to compare the works of man and the creations
of nature, and never have the former appeared
more puny and significant. If the structures of
man are great and grand, what term, then, will
amply convey an idea of the works of the Ruler
of all men2 The extreme feebleness and abso
lutte uselessness of attempting to thwart the un-
alterable determination of lnanlmate force has
never been more forcibly or vividly portrayed.
On the suspension bridge thousands of people
stood gazing up and down the river, looking at
Covngton and the hills back of it. The city is
apparently sunken sixty feet. and the high hills
back of it dwarfed by the towering height of the
rolling deluge in the rivers channel. All signs
of high banks are Obliterated. The whole front
row of houses in Greenup street are in water
half way up to the first story, with probably ten
or twelve feet more water to come on top of it.
On the Cincinnati side are the steamboats, a
dozen of them. penned in between the suspen-
sion bridge and the Newport bridge by the flood,
and score of steamers below the suspension
bridge floating on the torrent, but ready for ser
vice should there be need of them. The decks
of these steamers tower up even with the tops
of the tall buildings next to the rivers
edge We cannot help asking what
if these enormous wharf-boats should be torn
loose and dashed against the suspension bridge
when the food is at its height Coming back
into the city one sees tonight lights in every
house on Water street, Front street, Pearl
street. and even in Third street. Wherever the
lights are men are working removing goods. In
the streets most affected just all the cellars
were cleared in good time and now the goods
are going from the first floors to the upper
stories. The streets are full of transport vehi-
cles, absolutely thronged with them, moving
to household furniture Everything is done
quietly and without hurry or excitement, and
every face looks serious but cheerful. The most
perfect order is maintained. There is thus far
no thieving and no immediate fear of it. There
will be no gas tomorrow night, and then it will
be time to talk about guarding against thieves.
Present duties absorb every ones thoughts and
occupy his energies.