The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-02-08
o At Cincinnati,

CINCINNATI, Feb S-With the dawn Of
day the rapidly sinking gauge at the water
works was uamistakabie evidence that the
food of 1888 will be repeated, if not exceeded.
The river has risen ten inches since
midnight, and the city viii soon be in dark
ness The streets are patroled by the state
militia, and there has been general organi-
z9tiou of Lelief committees by the chamber
of commerce and citizens, and ten thousand
dollars have been subscribed. Andrew Reid,
of Eastern avenue started out in raft and
was carried away and is supposed to be
drowned. There is a prospective water
famine, the engines having shut down at the
waterworkS
The river registers siXty-one feet SIX and
one-half inches, and is still rising. There is
little or no change il the weather A slight
rain falls at intervals. Telegraphic COM
munication with up-riyer points is almost
entirely cut off There is no communication
with Portsmouth, lTontOn. Huntington Ma
rietta, or Parkersburg
Galipolis reports rise of three feet, and
still rising at the rate Of three inches per
hour
The levee on the Miami river at Lawrence
burg broke but as the town was already sub
merged with water from the Ohio, much
more damage could not be done by the over
flow.
The most assuring sign to be seen is
white flag with black centre, floating from
the top of Pixies opera house building, from
the signal service Office, denoting the coming
Of cold weather. 1t is the first time the
signal has been used and it could never have
been more welcome. So long as the weather re-
manned mild little streams would continue
feeding the food and prolong the high water
A freeze will put a check on these sources
and hasten fall. 1t is now thought the river
will continue to rise here until Saturday or
Sunday, and if no more rain comes will then
fall rapidly.
The view from suspension bridge Is not
cheering. Along the Covington front to the
Licking river the land is entirely submerged,
the water being in the second story Of some
dwellings. Newport presents the appear
ance of a lake with a few dwellings peer
ing out like small islands The bridge com
pany tries to furnish transportation across
the water on the Cincinnati side, but its sin
gle boat is entirely inadequate to the demand.
and large number of private crafts are en-
gagged ferTying for 5 cents a passenger, reap
ing rich harvest. tits believed q corner on
Tue DpdlS II DSIA eillile " ~ ao " A4lCLOk'o
lie this traffic
Tho common council has decided to ask
authority for a loan of 500, 600 for a relief
fund. Ten school houses have been placed at
the disposal of the relief committee for the
accommodation Of people driven from their
houses In CovingtOn q relief committee
has been organized and the legislature will be
asked not to collect this years taxes in the
flooded district No loss of life and no great
destruction to property has yet occurred.
In the thirteen hours since midnight the
rise has been only eight inches. The record
at p. m. is sixty-one feet eight inches.
Preparations are being made for doing with
out gas There is a brisk trade in
coal-oil lamps and candles going on People
still contemplate even greater rise than
last year but without alarm. 1t is estimated
that the losses from the overflow will be not
more than 10 per cent, as much as last year,
owing to the better care that has been taken
to prevent loss.
Both houses of the Ohio legislature prompt
ly passed bill authorizing the Cincinnati
comptroller to borrow $50, 600 for the benefit
of the food sufferers. The Baltimore &
Ohio telegraph company here refuse to re
ceive any messages to any point,
The LATEST. The river now marks sixty
one feet nine inches, and is apparently about
stationary