The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1884-03-29

OUR CREvASaE.--Ihe little Crevasse at the
head of st. Vincent street, Donaldsonville,
last Sunday night, occurred at point
expected, as there is double line of levse
there, and up to dark Sunday evening the
outer embankment was intact and there
was no water whatever against the inner
the Leblanc saw-mill and completely en-
closes the lumber yard, having been con-
structed by Mr.. Leblanc for that purpose.
On Tuesday of last week break occurred
directly under the saw-mill, through which
sufficient water flowed to food the lumber
yard. After the gap had been closed Mr..
Leblanc, we are informed, obtained per-
mission from the Mayor to cut the inner
drain the water from the enclosure. To
the defective reflling of this cut was due
the crevasse of Sunday night. Some time
after dark-jnst when is not known-the
outer levee broke second time, and when
the water had filled the lumber yard it soon
found an opening through the freshly filled
cut and began pouring down st. Vincent
street in q manner that created great alarm
among the residents of the immediate vi
cinity. Messrs. F. s. Leblanc, ). @.
Fisher and colored man whose name we
did not learn were the first to reach the
break and begin work upon it, and had they
been provided with proper implements and
material it is probable they could have
closed the gap without other help, but it
grew larger and larger and they were COM
PEELED to give an alarm and summon aid.
Miss Louisa Miller was one of the first to
hear the outcry, and selling dinner-bell
she ran up Mississippi street ringing it Wig
orously and thus efectually assisting to
arouse the people in that portion of town.
The fire bells we're rung and in few min
utes larger crowd of persons had gathered
than was desirable, many being in the way
of those who showed disposition to work
with some understanding and system. In
the frantic haste to stop the rush of water
which is the first impulse of those unac-
customed to the proper manner of proceed
ing in such emergencies, much time and
labor were wasted. Stakes were driven
and before securely braced. planks and
sacks of dirt we're placed against them, and
consequently portion of the work gave
way, but few experienced men finally as
sumed control of the operations, directing
them to successful conclusion. By 10
o'clock Monday morning the finishing
touches were given and the levee was once
more water tight and secure. Messrs. Ber-
nard Lemann & Brother, Joseph Gondran
q Sons and Mrs. M. Israel q Co., furnished
all the spades, axes, sacks, ETC., that were
required. Mr.. Pierre Nopman was very
active, not only giving his personal assist
ance at the break, but dispatching to the
neighboring plantations for men and ma
terial. He and Mr.. Patrick Reddington
rendered very valuable service by collect
ing small force of men and strengthen
ing the levee at the head of st. Patrick
street, where break was imminent that
would have been much more serious than
the one at st. Vincent street. We cannot
attempt to mention all the willing workers
who displayed their zeal and public spirit
on this occasion, because we have no com
plete list of their names, and by giving
some and emitting others we might be
charged with partially and injustice.
White and black men, old and young,
labored side by side for the common good
and their efforts were crowned with merited
success.