The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-21
THE GREAT CALAMITY.
IMMENSE DAMAGE DONE BY THE
WATER.
Relief Conf ng from All Sections OF
the Country.
THE SITUATION,

THE SITUATION.
CINCINNATI, Feb. 13.-The sigma
service flag, denoting coming coli
weather, floats to day, for the thir,
time since the flood began; hithert
its presence was welcomed, now i
brings the worst of apprehensions
Cold weather now could have NJ
substantial effect on water disaster
that has about done its worst, bU
with cold weather the imprisoned
people of all the towns and cite.
along the Ohio would suffer terribly
for lack of fuel. Few realize the
| difficulty in getting supplies delivered
| as there are no landings for steamers
and the damage to buildings by wave:
caused by passing steamers has beer
so great as to cause occupants OF
flooded houses to fire on steamers
bringing them relief. Relief steamers
to be of real service have to be
equipped with life-saving crews
and boats 1t can readily
be seen how slow would be the work
Of carrying any considerable quantity
of fuel to such places as LaWrenceburg
Indiana, and New Richmond, Ohio
They are entirely submerged and sur.
rounded with water. n? relief boat
has yet been sent out from here. Gen,
eral Brentwith, of St. Louis, is expect.
ed here this evening to take charge OF
the work of relief under the direction OF
the secretary of war. He will charter
relief boats, and four United States of
ticers have been ordered here from Co.
lumbuS to take charge of the diff, rent
steamers. Nothing done except to re-
ceive subscriptions to-day. Dispatches
received announcing contributions
from various sources. Among them
is an appropriation of $500 from the
town council of Lebanon, Ohio $500
from business firms in CGicago, and
similar sums from New York
City and Philadelphia firms
having representatives here. Large
subscriptions were also received
from citizens; among these was one
of $3.50 from r. r. Springer, whose
gifts to the city have made him the
most honored man in the city. His is
the largest individual gift yet re
ceiYed. A call has been issued by
Major Lloyd, commander of the de-
partment of Ohio, Grand Army of the
Republic, for contributions from the
various posts throughout the State.
A heavy current from the Licking
river this morning washed away
twenty or more houses in Newport
Ky. They are huddled together and
thrown in all sorts of shapes. Three
streets are completely blocked by
houses removed from their founda-
lions. 1t was reported that two I'M
known men fell from skiff under
the suspension bridge and were
drowned. The News-Journal re-
ceived special from Portsmouth, o.,
dated Yesterday, and forwarded from
Sciotoville, the nearest telegraph sta
tion, saying there is not an acre of
dry ground in the city. There are not
a hundred houses now under water.
Many houses floated off. The post
office and banks are closed. The corn
and hay crops Of the Scioto VALLEY are
ruined.
FED BY CHARITY.
GALLIPoLIs, O., Feb. 13.-It is esti-
mated that 10000 people along the
river, within twenty-five miles, have
been fed by charity for two weeks.
FOOD FOR THE NEEDY.
CLEVELAND, Feb. 13.-The local re-
lief organization to-day shipped car
load OF prepared food to Galliopolls
and another to Portsmouth. The
committee are actively raising money.
A meeting of citizens were held this
again, the mayor presiding,
Payne made an eloquent
appeal for the sufferers. A car load
of clothing and food was shipped to
Bellaire to-day. AT the citizens meet
ing a subscription list was circulated,
Payne headed it with
$1,000, and in a short time $4,000 were
raised for the relief of the flooded dis
tricts. Subscription lists have been
placed in every bank, and a depot of
supplies is opened and prepared food,
clothing and other neceSSarleS are for
warded as often as practicable to the
Ohio valley.
SUSPENSE.
CINCINNATI, Feb. 13.-The sus-
pense over the failure to hear definite
news from Lawreaceburg, Ind,
grows painful, but is tempered by the
belief that if any serious disaster, in
volving loss of life, had occurred, some
means would have been found to get
WGfd from Lawrenceburg, to Aurora,
which is now the nearest telegraph
Office.
The Times-Star's Aurora, Ind,
special says: At 10 a. m. we have no
news from Lawrenceburg. Many
houses are seen floating down this
morning, and the anxiety is great.
The water is now rising an inch an
hour. More dwellings are topping
over.
IN ARKANSAS.
LITTLE Rock, Feb. 13.-Heavy
rain this morning, but during the
forenoon the weather grew colder and
the rain Stacked, The river this after
noon showed rise of 81 inches IN "a
hours, and the gauge marked 20 feet 3
inches, and rising all along to Fort
Smith. No further damage is report
ed. During the night the breakwater
north of the draw pier on the railroad
bridge, was carried down and the
bridge-men were afraid to open the
draw for steamboats,. 1t is not be-
lieved that the bridge is in danger,
but a large force of men are fighting
drift-wood. The st. Francis river
rose at Madison IA inches in "a hours
ending at 5 p. m. Very high water is
expected. The White river is rising
rapidly. Devalls Bluffs bottoms are
under water.
K. OF H. CIRCULAR.
MEMPHIS, TENN, Feb. 13-The
Grand Lodge Knights of Honors of
the state of Tennessee, has issued a
circular to officers and members of
subordinate lodges for generous con-
tributions for the relief of distressed
brethren caused by the floods in the
Ohio valley.
LAWRENCEBURG HEARD FROM.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND, Feb. 13.-The
following message has been received
from Gov. Porter, who is at Lawrence
burg: Condition at Lawrenceburg
is pitiable in the extreme, more houses
having been removed from founda'
lions than last years; relief should have
refer ence now, not only to food
but enabling the poor to replace and
repair houses"
AT LOUISVILLE.
LOUISVILLE, Feb. 13.-The river
| has risen six inches since noon, and is
now forty-four feet and three inches
high. 1t has been raining torrents al
the afternoon, and has turned much
colder and is sleeting. A strong colo
wind is blowing and will cause wave:
to do great damage to flooded prop
erty. The water from Bear Gras:
creek is up over the bridge on Broad
way, and is now running over thu
street for some distance. The situa
ton here, New Albany and Jefferson
| Vile at this hour is unchanged. TIL,
cold weather that is expected will