St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-15
THE WATER WASTE.
The Floods Subsiding at Eau
Claire and Chippewa
Falls.
The People Getting Into Their
Houses and Preparing to
Start Afresh.
The Total Loss to Property in the
Chippewa Valley Estimated at
Over Million.
The Business Men Of Eau Claire Refuse to
Ask Assistance for the Needy from
Outside Cities.
Some Account of the Damage to Crops,
Stock, Lumber, Etc.--Work of the
Relief Committees.
Especial Telegram to the Globe.

Especial Telegram to the Globe.
EAU CLAIRE, Wis, Sept. 13.-There has been
little change in the situation during the past
twenty-four hours. The river is steadily falling,
and while il shows much damage it is not as
great as anticipated. The streets as matter OF
course, are blockaded by debris and the places
overlooked present a wretched appearance.
People have gone to work with will to repair
the damage and in few daps all will be cleared
mp Between here and Chippewa Falls millions
Of feet oflogs ere jammed in the river. All the
saw mills are damaged greatly and scores Of
farms partially under water and out houses and
buildings more or less injured. few cattle
have been killed, but the majority find safe
shelter in the high lands. There is
no authentic report Of suffering
among the people between here and Chippewa
Falls. The people here making prepare
tons for repairing damages. The principal
damage to houses results from the flooding Of
cellars. Some houses in the flooded district
have begun TO settle and the walls to crack, but
only slight trouble is anticipated this account.
Almost all the cellars on Barstow, kelary, Ho-
bart, First, River, Water, Mill and Menominee
and Second avenues are flooded.
Taking it altogether Eau Claire looks gloomy.
There yawning chasms, ruined houses, streets
washed out and objects of all kinds piled up in
indescribable shape. The stores and houses
still surrounded by water lock like desolated
islands Sidewalks, fences and gates are heaped
together in the way, making sight hard to for
get. The people have begun to move back, and
there is more cheefulness. The weather is favor
able and the work plenty. At Dell's pond there
are twenty or more floating houses. An immence
10 HoJ Dor 1la hotra
been but few casualties SO far, but there were
many escapes. There are many rumors
afoat of deaths below and above, but they
unreliable.
1t may truthfully be said that no person in
the city limits is suffering for want of food or
shelter On the north and east sides the suffer
ing is not go great on the west, where there is
less water. Where the water has subsidized and
left houses free, people returning to their
homes to find everything swept away deg
troyed. The walls of some house have settled
and cracked, but principally these with stone
foundations. Others escaped. No troubles an
tcipated from this, which is proved by the fact
that at citizens meeting this afternoon almost
every speaker held that the damage done would
oou be repaired. Such undoubtedly is fact.
The excitement is cooling down and business,
which has been suspended since the flood, re-
sumed to-day. Communication with the West
side is practically suspended. Careful estimates
place the loss to city property at 100000. and
the Chippewa valley S1,OOO0OO. The river is
clear of logs. The following are the principal
losses:
Chicago, Milwaukee & ST. Paul, S225, 900.
Valley City Lumber company, $4,000.
Three bridges, 1000.
Mayhews MILL S15, 600.
Matt Johnson, $1,000.
Phoenix Manufacturing company, 5000.
Hubencr & Miller, 325,0 900
Delrs Improvement company, $4,000.
Anderson, groceries, $4,000.
Street Car company, 81 1000.
Phelps & Richardson, $1,000.
Albert H. Stevens, $1,000.
Geo. w Robertson, $1,000.
Heinricks & Hartman, $780,
Mike Horns. 5000.
John II. Norens, $500.
Geo. W. Smith Bros, $1,000.
Opera house, $1,000.
Bonell, photographer, $1,000.
Mrs. Stoepler, $500.
i. NJ. Fish & Co., $1,000.
The telephone connection across the Chippewa
mas been made.
a mass meeting Of citizens was held this after
u
for the destitute.
a visit TO the north side shows that all tho
buildings in two streets are in u deplorable con-
dition. All houses that have not been swept
away are tipped over and many foundations are
undermined and crumbling away. The bridge
which spans the Eau Claire Mt Bartlett street is
being repaired. In the Second ward large
number OF business blocks have foundations
washed out and 10. night much fear is expressed
that some of them will fall. The occupants are
removing their stock.
The Third ward which is tho location of the
best dwellings in the city, presents a bad appear
ance since the water has gone down. Valuable
pianos and other costly furniture, are scattered
about In every direction. A great many citizens
OF this ward were asleep aud had hardly time TO
get to place Of safety, consequently much
valuable property perished In this ward alone
the damage done TO household goods amounts TO
many thousands OF dollars.
The citizens Of the Fifth ward suffered most
of any, the water flooded ten blocks OF the
ward. All this damage is done among the labor.
ing classes, who lose everything they had and
arc left entirely destitute. This class of suffer
ers at present is being taken care of by the citi
gems Of the west side. The Fourth ward was
almost entirely under water, and while there are
great many at present homeless they viii be
able to occupy their dwellings again as soon as
the water recedes few feet moro.
In the Sixth ward comparatively little damage
is done, Business men this afternoon held :
meeting and took measures FOR the relief OF shS
sufferers, and appointed a committee of nine C
receive contributions and ascertain the name:
aud location OF all the needy. It was decided
that it Is unnecessary to call for aid FROM III,
outside at present, rs the city is able to take
capc OF itself
The news from Meridian tonight IS encoursg
ing. The loss Of property will be comparatiyel.
small, The news from Porterville is also en-
eouragins. The Northwestern Lumber company
there will probably lose its boom. rafting she'd
and single miIl aud there Is much damage L
its stock oflumbez. The lumber is carried into
the lakes below the mill, and can be recovered
but in = damaged condition.
The farmers in the vicinity have crops badll
damaged, and some live stock has been drowned
A few buildings have been swept awsy.
The loss OF the Northwestern Lumber con,
Pany is estimated At s,OOo,e feet OF lumber
Yesterday afternoon relief pSrty left her
with boat load OF provisions Tor the sufferer
on the river bottoms. and returned tonight A
PoTteEvile they found part OF the Kelsey stree
bridge Snd part OF another bridge, also Grange
hall. The lumber yards and larger buildings a
Porterville appeared to be uEi1iured. At bar
on the farm Of John whipplc they found abou
iS0people eamPsd. They stated that no live
were lost AID only FIVE small buildings carrie,
away Several houses were seen passing dow
stream and on some were ssen people crying fc
help. bet no boat being ST hand resene wss in
possible. Cries were also heard from the river
night, and It was supposed people were hoatin
BY.