Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-24
LOUISVILLE LETTER.
Forfeiture of the Results of the Recent
Elnnda.

CeyTesDOHdeace Ofthe Morning Nelss.
LOUISVILLE, Feb. 20.-If anything was
needed to complete the destruction along
the river front, the terrific wind, hail and
rain storm Of last night was the finishing
touch. The wind blew from the south
west with velocity seldom, If ever,
known here, and the soaked and crum-
bling houses toppled over into the seeth-
ing flood like so many card structures.
The river was cut and dashed into tower
ing waves, white crested, like ocean bill
lows, and the debris of demolished build
ings has covered the surface IN a whirIing
mass all day. "The Point"-that fated
neighborhOod-is swept bare of everything
like habitation, and it was there
the first tragedy of the flood on this side
the river occurred. Last. night a family
of three persons were drowned during
the darkness and wild confusion of the
storm. The wind set in violently after a
heavy ram in the afternoon, and blew
with increasing fore until midnight.
Houses on Third, Fourth and Fifth streets,
strained by last years overflow and lett
mere shells by this rise, went down last
night at the first gust, blowing straight
into the river. During all the wild, black
night the life-saving crew sent their little
boats skimming everywhere, saving lives
and property wherever it was possible,
and having no thought or eXpecta-
ton that any of the gallant three
would come through with his
life. AS the river slowly creeps
back to its channel the poor refugees,
mingling with the curious crowd, wade
down into the slime and drift each day to
wonder over the desOlatiOn left in it's
track. The old habitues of the Point de-
clare they will never go back there TO live,
for safety during high water is too pre-
cariOus. The pretty, thrifty little village
OF ShippingpOrt on the Falls has been
wiped out and property owners are done
with that location also. The flood came
so slowly and deliberately upon us this
wear, there was time enough to get out Of
the way and save portable property"
but it was like The closing in of an mex
OIable fate to see it forcing under the
flood lines of last year, sappiug the fOun-
dations of valuable business blocks and
pitilessly marking down financial ruin for
the owners.
There was one threatened calamity
which spread CONSERVATION amongst res
idents in the southern and eastern pOr-
lions of the city. The waters of Bear
grass creek, which intersects the east end,
rose out of their banks, submerged all the
upper part of Broadway, and were forcing
their way to the southern limits, SO that
another days rise at the rate the river
was coming up would have sent the
roaring torrent careering down Broad
way amongst the most palatial homes of
Louisville. That was quite sufficient 10
blanch the faces of those accustomed to
regard Ohio floods as some
thing dreadful, but afar off. The
Broadway sewer was so rushing full
the water seeped into the cellars along
the route, and is now being pumped out.
There is water in the cellars on the south
side Of Main street, and the pumps have
been at work in the Gait House basement
since the flood began. Certainly visit
to the river front at this time ID one Of the
most dismal and depressing sights imagi-
nable-railrOad depots submerged and
fragmentary trains swimming around
without an object in existence;
sktfs shooting hither and thither
in the neighborhOOd of chimney tops, and
our poor little HOosier sisters. New AL
bany and Jacksonville. appearing ready
to pull up stakes and float down the Ohio
at the briefest notice. In the latter town
the body OF one OF the young girls drowned
while bOat-riding over the flooded district,
lies awaiting the recovery of her sisters
remains for one interment. In the same
town, while the water was at its height,
wedding occurred where the bridal party
church and reception in skifs.
THE OLD EXPOSITION HOTEL OF LAST
SUMMER,
on Fourth and Chestnut streets, is now
crowded with refugees. Donations from
the people Of Louisville have been prompt
aud ample, and we are taking care of our
unfortunates without outside assistance.
A grand charity ball is to be given at the
Calf House on the night of the 22d, and
the lady managers, after three days sale
of tickets, have turned over 81, 600 to the
Relief Committee. Tickets are So, ad-
hitting gentleman and Lady
and including supper and all
other cOucOmitants of perfectly
delightful affair."" 1t is expected that
when people are dancing for sweet char
ity they viii 90 in with a vim, and not be
too particular about small adiunctS. 1t
| has been determined to sell only 1000
tickets in the city, but they will be sent
TO the number of several thousand more
TO the prominent people of the large
cities, and it is expected the proceeds Of
the charity ball, novelty in Louisville,
viii foot up a handsome donation to the
sufferers.
Mathew Arnold, who was expected here
until the last minute, could not come on
account of the high water, but fingered
in Cincinnati and wished himself else
him at the residence of DR.. David Yandoll,
a prominent Louisville physician who had
met the lecturer in England, and the sale
of seats for his lecture indicated a fine and
strictly cultured audience. That last
goes without saving, as witness the yearn-
ing for enlightenment on the part of q
Louisville dude. He had purchased tick
cts for lady and himself to attend the
| lecture on Emerson, and concluding he
would like to know something about Ar
mold whom people were so unaccOuntably
fussing over, he applied to an erudite and
somewhat waggish acquaintance:
"Who is this fellow Arnold, anyhow
hanged if l know; Pm going to take Miss
B to hear him, and she's a girl who
knows good deal about things, and she's
apt to laugh at fellow if he don't know;
so you rub me up Bit"
sOf course; they always laugh If you
| happen to trip. Why don't you take
girl who doesn't know any more than
your
81 couldn't find one," responded our
dude with unconscious truth.
"Wen." said his friend, looking very
wise and examining his hands into his
pockets as though to fetch up information
| from that source, "ArnOld is the Presi-
dent of Rugby College down here in Ten
nessee. Hughes, the English Prime Min
lister. got the place for him, and has writ
! ten all about him in Tom Brown You
know Tom Brown l suppose?'
"Can't say do. Pve heard of John
Brown quite often, now, bat don't know
| Tom"
Gall right; its the same family. Arnold
| is also a descendant of Benedlc's--nephew
or something. This Emerson he talks
about was the head man of big negro
minstrel troupe, and great friend of Ar
! nOld's, and his lecture is a kind of obit-
uarv notice. Take Miss B, by all
means. and tell her anything she may
have forgotten. You'll enjoy it, I'm
| sure"
II will" said the interrogation CRATE
fuIlv. "tb -nks-ta-ta."
II IS presumed he must have unfolded a
picturesque account to Miss B-'s as
tonished ear, as he and lis learned friend
speak no more as they pass ~. strange
as it may appear the amount Of Ignorance
regarding Arnold. his vocation, opicl0hs
and work. developed by his promised APP
pearance in our midst, is absolutely start
ling.
WILLIAM STAFFORD, NATIVE LOUIS
VILE BOY,
and most promising young tragedian, is
playing a weeks engagement in his old
home. Mr. Stafford is not yet % and
made his debut on q Boston stage six
wears ago. His name off the stage is