The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-11
LAwRENCERURG AND AURORA.

The Water Still Rising-Fears that the First
City viii Be Destroyed.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
AURORA, Ind, Feb. 10.-To see the expression
of utter detection that is depicted the coun-
tenances of the people in Lawrenceburg, this
afternoon would cause even heart of stone to
pity them. For week past they have been al
ternating between hope and despair, but hope
has now been dethroned and despair wears the
imperial crown. The news to-day, substantiated
by the presence of the rising waters themselves,
was the straw that broke the camels back
Their greatest fears have been realized, and
nothing less than miracle can now prevent an
overflow which will be disastrous in the extreme
The river is now rising faster than at any time
since the water came into the town A half
inch an hour has been the average rise, but to-
day the rise is one inch. At o'clock this even
ing in Cincinnati the water only lacks fifteen
inches of being up to the food line of last year.
and there is only twenty inches between the
lines here. Calculated by the latest news, last
years food-line will be reached by tomorrow
noon, and how much more will come
is almost guess at present. yet
it is certain that the present flood
will distance all previous ones. The indications
now are that the town will be utterly ruined,
and the work of destruction is now well under
way The people are plucky, and have not yet
appealed for aid, but unless aid is sent at once
they will be compelled to ask, as the resources
of the township trustee are well nigh exhausted
he having provided for from one to two thou
rand people per day for nearly week. To-day
full ratons were issued to two thousand people,
which includes nearly the entire population left
here. No one thought week ago, that the
water would be over the town more than a week,
at furthest and those best prepared have now
well nigh exhausted their supplies and one or
two more days will find all here at the mercy of
charity. Yesterday 10000 loaves of bread and
200 cooked hams were received, which the
trustee had bought the day before in Indianapo-
lis. There were only two barrels of sugar left
to-day, and the coffee was all gone, but more
las been bought and is now due. Many are out
Of coal oil, and there is none to be had
number of houses were in total darkness last
hight and there will be more tonight. The
goods bought in indianapolis are brought to
point within three miles of town, and then
brought down in skiffs.
1t is impossible to even approximate the loss
vet Those best informed say it will already ex-
.eed 81 900, 000 but the figures may, in another
twenty four hours, be one-half too low. The
current through the streets is very strong, and
navigation is dangerous Last night party of
our young persons were crossing over to New
town, and when half over the current drove the
boat against the top of telegraph pole, upset
ting the boat and precipitating the whole party
one of whom was young lady-into water
twenty feet deep Fortunately they managed
to hold on to the wires and boat till they were
rescued. Dozens have fallen into deep water,
but as yet no lives have been lost, and there is
not a case of sickness in town.
A telegram was received from Senator Voor
bees, giving the people encouragement in regard
to the appropriation bill for next year, but the
fear now is that by that time there will be but
little town to levee around.