Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-02-18
BECOMING MoNoToNoUs.
The Third Consecutive Flood at Mari
etta-The Natives Becoming Alarmed
EARLY Freshets-

The Third Consecutive Flood at MARI
etta-The Natives Becoming Alarmed
Early Freshets-
MARIETTA, o., February l1.-This, the
third consecutive annual flood has more
thoroughly alarmed the inhabitants OF the
Ohio valley than on any previous occasion.
This widespread feeling of uncertainty is
more serious with the owner Of small
home than with the pcssessor of thousands.
None wish to fee from their property, but
they realize if the end is not yet they can
not much longer build for the waters to
destroy. All, however, endesyor to be-
lieYe the worst has come, and renew the
battle with Yigof realizing, however, that
while they may suffer soon the day may
be half q century distant, The total dam
sges wrought by ali previous Hoods will
not equal that of this year. When the
pioneers located Marietta they were at
tracted by the rich bottom land Friendly
Indians pointed TO wide-Spreading syca-
mores, through which the waters had swept,
and warned them Of
The Mighty Ohis.
Two years later, 1870, the waters rose
about the rude dwellings and did consider
able damsge. Twenty-Rine years after the
settlement came the second Hood. Pre-
cautions having been taken but little
damage was done. Four years later, and
in 1918, occurred the first big flood that
bsplized Marietta and other new settle
ments in the valley. The food occurred
IN the latter part OF January, and the
waters rose so rapidly that within twenty
four hours the Ohio was oyeTtioving and
rising seven inches per hour. Snow and
A. al , Fha afar
xas eight feet deep on the principal bust
ness street.
Eighteen Inches of Ice
had broken above and the huge masses did
much damage. Above low water marS the
citizens estimated the rise at - feet.
In 1915 there was a moderate Hood much
higher in the Muskingun than in the Oaio.
The Muskingum has never until this year
reached such high stage. In ISL and
Isis there we're floods which did light dam
age in Marietta, As the years rolled along
AT d the Ohio mRrmured within ITS banks
he people continued to build in the low
| lands, quite believing the floods were at an
end. Fourteen years passed without the
river being more than bank full. Fnen
came
The Eyeniful ls3e.
Early in February rain began falling snd
at intervals until the 18th of the month,
| whsn the water began rising here. Ia 80
hours il was over the banks aud rising
with alarming rspidity until the lIth,
| when the height was so feet above low
| water This was five feet three inches
| hisher than ever recorded, and not unul
| lSS3 has the marks shown more than rs
| feet y inches. There are few old people
who remember the scene, 4 furious storm
set in 81 the morning Of the 18th, and the
| rumbliUg thunder above and the surgiug
food about the dwellings
Sent Terror to Many Heart
Prayers were said, beseeching that the els-
ments would recede. A score or more OF
store buildings, barns and dwellings went
| with the tide. Many OF the buildings were
| never heard from, and those which Isnded
| on the islands below contained few in
| iured contents. About q week after the
| flood the little engine house in which was
an old fire engine and buckets was
| seen at Louisville Water was nine feet
deep on the principal business street. The
| rivers were filled win tl1'San anf ls'san,
| and the loss T. Marietta WAS about S2o,-
| eCO. .
The Hood of AZ was not as destructive
here as at other points on the Ohlo. In %
the Hood was quite destructive. Ia April,
| IA the wafer was within few feet o. toe
mark of - In % water was on he floors
| of many business houses, while in Feofu'
| srv, 81 the water was five inches deep on
| the store floors.