The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-18

III
le floods to d greater height than that of
| last year. The situation in several smaller
towns above and below is already quite as bad
as that of last year, but owing to the frequent
recurrence of such disasters the facts are not so
well known to the country at large.
The Associated Press representative, Just be-
fore leaving Shawneetown, was informed that
William AIwald left Henry Richeson's mill there
in askiff, four days ago, to go to his house, and
has not been seen or heard of since, and he is
believed to have persisted during the gale blow
ing at that time. If drowned, this is Shawnee
towns first casualty during the present flood
There have been many narrow escapes, how
ever, and it is remarkable that more drownings
have not occurred Many persons are very reck-
less, and go about in boats of the rudest and
most insecure character, many of them
hastily and roughly constructed, and
leaking so fast that they have
to be constantly bailed out The risk run may
be better understood when it is stated that the
depth of water throughout the town ranges
| from fifteen to forty feet Skiffs pass over
good-sized houses, well weighted down, the roofs
of which can be scarcely reached by the longest
oars. AS the river rises the current is increas-
ing in force, and in many parts of town only the
most expert oarsman can stem it.
The situation at Uniontowu is growing more
serious hourly. The entire town is under water
to a depth of several feet and the river is still
rising steadily. There was rise during the
night of five inches and the river is still swell
ing at the rate of almost half an inch an hour.
1t is now deemed certain that last years highest
stage will be surpassed.
Between Shawneetown and Uniontown the
country on both sides of the river, as far as the
eye can reach, is a vast sheet of water, trees
alone marking the dividing line be-
tween the river and shores and the generaIcours
Of the river. Several houses have been washed
away and others are seriously threatened and
likely to follow if there is additional rise of
foot. There are still many corn pens in the
water, though most of the farmers, with the
perienee of the last two years before them, sue
ceeded in getting in their corn places of safety
The loss in this way is much less this year than
last The people of the section named are watch
ing anxously for the relief steamer said to have
left Louisville on Friday night and now due. No
formal appeals for help have been made, bat
large number of people are in great distress and
are cerlhln 10 SuHef UeFT1Dly curing the neAG TWO
or three weeks, and all the help that can be af-
forded will be needed
Mount Vernon and Henderson, with the food
at its height, are still, like Evansville, high and
dry, with several feet to spare.
LATER-The situation at Paducah is worse
than has been generally supposed. Last night
one-third of the place was under water and it
is estimated that a rise of two feet more would
put the entire town under water The last train
on the Chesapeake & Ohio railroad arrived last
night, the water, which covers the depot to
depth of three feet, putting out the fire of the
engine before the station was reached. At 8
o'clock the gas-works were invaded, and the
people are now dependent upon lamps and can
dies for light.
New Liberty, twelve miles above, is entirely
abandoned, and nothing but the roofs Of houses
can be seen. The situation is but little better
with many other points.
Four-ffths of Snithland situated at the
mouth of the Cumberland, is under water Rosi-
clare, Birdsville, Raleigh, Elizabethtown, Fair
field and Freefght are all submerged The
front portion of Caseyville is under water to
the depth OF tea or twelve feet