The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-16
Luckless Lawrenceburg.
Distressing Pictures of Destruction and
DestIution.

Correspondence of the Cincinnati Commercial Ga
zette, Feb. 12)
To person who looked in on this unfor-
tunate city week ago it will appear exag-
gerating to say the scene has been rendered
ten-fold more horrible and awe-inspiring
since then, and that each inch of water rem
ders the condition of the people more appal-
ling; but such is the case.
Imagine a community entirely cut off
from communication with the world except
by means of skiff, and that several miles
must be traversed over body of water from
six to eighty feet deep before single foot of
land can be reached. This is The condition
of Lawrenceburg; the waters of the Miami
River rush roaring through the city, carry
ing before them everything not heavily an
chored or tied with rope. Dwellings, barns,
sawmills, outhouses and lumber share a
common fate, and are jumbled together in
an unacceptable mass. YESTERDAY the
people were buoyant with hope; tonight,
surrounded by heavy fog, unable to see six
feet before them, they lie awake, half ex-
pecting, as well they may, that theirs will
be the next house torn away and landed
God only knows where, by the awful cur
rent, while the mournful splash of oars, and
the sickening ray of a watchman's lantern
break the dreadful monotony at long inter-
walls. Hundreds of lips are this night NOV
ing in prayer which have never uttered
their Creators name since they left moth
er's knee, years ago, except in coarse pro-
family. Mothers, imagine yourselves here
with your little ones crowded in second
story-room, until the relentless waters are
within few inches of your feet, and send
ing culver after culver through the house.
ID ere pretty little cottage, once the admit
ration and the envy of the neighbors and the
pride OF its occupants, lies tossed ON its side,
part of its roof lost, lovely verandahs torn
away and nothing remaining but a mangled
framework. Crowded in freight car, two
miles off, shivering about little stove in
their vain efforts to keep warm, are shell
tered these who last week called l. home
One poor man who had stinted and prac-
ticed self-denial since last year to place his
little home in repair again, had Just accom-
plished his hearts desire when the flood
came. The little home is now being gradu-
ally forced toward midstream, and by to-
morrow will be floating toward the Missis-
sippi with other debris and drift, while the
poor fellow thanks God, as he gathers his
wife and little ones about him in a rude
shed three miles distant that they at least
have been spared him.
1t is true hundreds left the town when the
waters commenced rising, but many of them
will return to find themselves bereft of their
all. In an old barn which has fioated into
the middle of the town, can be heard the
dying howls of starving dog, whose cries
for four or five days as they sounded out
across the water, and broke the stiffness of
the night, added superstitious terror to the
affiiction of the residents.
From an isolated part of town last night
came cries for help, but the fog and dark
ness prohibited any one venturing out at
random to render assistance. This morning
the patro-boat found Z. Fl. B. Owens, wife
and little boy almost speeches. with appre-
hension, and hoarse with calling for help.
standing in water up to their knees in tie
second story of their residence.
The awful condition of this town tonight
cannot be described with enough vlvidness
to give the slightest idea of the great suffer.
ing and damage.
The water at 10 O clock lacked Just ten
inches of reaching the height of last Febru-
airy.
The people received many kilograms of
consolation to-day-one from Congressman
w NJ Which, Sbdt6u bQdU congress
had appropriated 100000 for the relief of
the sufferers of the flood, and he would see
that our people were cared for.
The river is rising az the rate of enc and
half inch per hour, and the people are fran
tic. The destruction of property has been
tremendous. Hundreds of buildings, in
GLIDING forty-two dwelling houses, have
been washed from their foundations. Some
were swept away, Others carried for squares
away, and many have been greatly damaged
and wrecked, and a few have been totally
destroyed The houses In the new addition
and Germantown have suffered mostly.
The people who were thought to be high
and dry in their second stories are being
taken from them, and nearly every house in
Old Town has been deserted. The furni.
ture and personal property which was placed
in second stories and thought 10 be safe, is
in immediate danger. A great deal has al
ready been lost, and the remainder will be
left to the mercy OF the water.
The situation tonight is most appalling.
People are forced from the second stories of
their houses, and large number have
found shelter in freight cars, which are
standing on the track back of New Town.
The destruction and loss to property has
been very great, and by to morrow the
amount of losses will be swelIed to nearly
5000, 200.
The people have been provided with bread,
coffee and meats by the township Trustee.
The County Commissioners held meeting
and ordered Mr.. Dickinson to provide for
the people from the county treasury. This
is rich county, and is sufficiently able to
care for its people 80 long as provisions can
be bought. The Mayors of nearly all the
towns have telegraphed Mayor Roberts that
provisions would be sent as soon as it was
known they were needed. Mayor Roberts
hopes to be able to see the people care for
themselves.
The condition of affairs here has become
so critical that the people will be forced to
accept whatever the outside towns choose
to send. Anything sent to Lawrenceburg
should be shipped via Cincinnati or Aurora,
and from there by bOat. Yesterday rations
were issued to 1859 persons. and everything
is out except bread, of which enough is now
on hand for two days rations. The Mayor
of Shelbyville telegraphed that he had
shipped car load of meats, bread and coz
fee. 1t is probably at Guiford, but there is
no way of getting it down except by boats.