The true northerner., 1884-02-28

last year, and were cared for by bosts
which rowed TO the second-story win
dows. On Feb. the streets were afio4t. and
indianapolis had been called on To- keep the
people from starving. The waters were
higher than in the food OF 1883. On Feb.
the Miami levee broke and the river surged
through the city, washing away many houses.
For many days the changes were only for the
worse. Dense fogs lowered over the little
city, and channels were cut through the
streets, taking away many adjacent houses.
The people moved into cabins and improvised
houses on the hill-tops. A landslide cut of
the railroad approaches, and the nearest point
where relief could DO sent In large quantities
was six miles distant. 1t was conveyed from
there to the people by means of wagons.
1t is computed that the losses at Lawrence
burg are not less than $500,000. A CORE
spohdent thus depicts the scene or desolatton
wrought by the relentless waters In the Ill
fated little city; 1.-THE waters are slowly but
surely receding, and the people or Lawrence
burg feel that their trials and sufferings have
reached q climax, and that q brighter day Is
dawning, though as the muddy waves sink
their monuments or wreck and ruin rise In
all their terrible ghastliness, revealing
picture of desolation and wo that brings grief
to the stoutest heart and tears to eyes
unused TO weeping. Words fail TO paint the
scene that the citizen OF Lawrenceburg be-
holds to-day as he stands upon the small
patch OF ground left by the falling water and
looks out upon the little water-wrecked, desc
late city, only few day" since beautiful,
peaceful, and quiet, the home, the pride, and
boast of her people. But now her once beau
tiful streets are muddy streams. The poor
mans little house is gone, the vine-clad cot
tage, with its porch and lattice-work, Is
wrecked, and the more elegant and imposing
homes OF brick, paint and fences
are reeknQ with slime and mud.
In Lawrenceburg the wheels of her manu-
factories are silent and the water glories
In It's triumph as 1t GIBBS and flows over and
through her deserted and desOlate buildings.
AS the water gives way the extent OF the
damage can be more accurately ascertained.
The city will suffer much by reason or the
obstruction of her levees and the damage to
her streets and sidewalks, while the loss to
individual citizens can hardly be estimated.
Probably half a million dollars would not
more than replace Lawrenceburg and her
citizens as she was before the food. The. real
work of her citizens, however, only begins as
the waters leave in rec.aiming their property,
repairing and rebuilding; and 1t will be days,
and perhaps weeks, tefore many dwellings
can be occupied"
Madison, Ind, anticipated tho food by hav-
ing the 'ower portion of the city abandoned
when the Wheeling disasters were reported
The city Is partially built on great hill, and
IL had ample accommodations for the people
whose places were under water. The damage
to property will be great. large number OF
factories stand close by the river, and were
full of water TO the second stories. ham
let across the river In Kentucky was entirely
under water, and its Inhabitants climbed the
hill and went back into the country to disperse
among the farmers.
Louisville, KY, and Jefrersonville and New
Albany, Ind, are In close proximity. On
Feb. 5, after a rainfall OF several hours, the
river showed a remarkable tendency TO rise,
and the inhabitants OF the low districts moved
back into the safe portions OF the cities. On
Feb. the river was nearly forty feep over
high-water mark, and was rising at the rate
of four inches an hour. In Louisville the river
front from Third to Fourteenth streets was
submerged and the houses were en-
trely hidden between the point and
Shtppingsport, 400 families being driven
from their homes. In the south.
eastern district many houses were abandoned
on account OF back water from Bear Grass
Creek. On Feb. the canal cutoff gave way
and the current ran across the point at q
depth OF twenty feet. The river continued
TO rise until the greatest height ever knewn
AZ feet-had been attained. The dam
age In Louisville was comparatively light, as
all the occupants OF the lowlands moved out
before the waters attacked them. In Jeffer.
sonville and New Albany IL Is estimated at
two CT three times greater than last year.
Next TO Lawreuceburg, Ind, the town suf
Shawneetown, Ill 1t Is situated between o
bluff and the river, and on three sides is pro-
tccted by ievees. When the river began &c
rise the people became terror-stricken, and
many abandoned their homes, after placing
their goods in the higher stories OF their
houses. on Feb. 10 the river had reached
point where it threatened TO break the EN-.
| bankment and wash away the city. force
| OF 800 men and two railroad locomotives
were put to work hauling dirt from the hills
| TO strengthen the levce, and for time II
seemed that their work would be successful.
| but the cmbankment gave way and In a brief
| time there was n depth of water from to IL
| feet all over the town. The people who goi
| out of their houses moved in the country OF
camped on the hillsides. Last years losses
were SO great that many OF them were toe
| poor TO get away or to supply themselves
with ordinary comforts. The suffering among
them is made very intense by the present
| cold weather.
The reports generally show that under sim.
| liar circumstances the losses this year will
| not be so great as last, because the people
| have been taught to anticipate and overcome
many features OF the disasters. Perishable
| property was generally transported TO places
of safety in time 10 save 1t, and houses were
| provided 10 prevent much OF the suffering
| tnat was undergone year ago. The distress,
| however, is beyond tho comprehension OF
| those who have not seen It.
At number OF places RELIEF boats were
| 6rcd into by the distressed citizens TO pre-
won't them approaching places OF rescue that
wcro tottcring. The waves made by the
boats wero dieasti Gus To undermined build
| ings, and no boat larger than skitf was al
| lowed 10 distribute the relief supplies.
The figures which indicate the height OF
water In tho Ohio are not measure or its
volume. At Cincinnati, for instance, zero ID
located on the surface Of Four-Nie 1tnorth
OF tho city, and again at Rising Sun bar,
abroast OF tho Indisna state line. 1t Is stu.
ated on these sboal places 10 give river pilots
the advantage of a soa:er average depth OF
water in tho river generally. The published
depth Is inaccurate TO the amount OF the
depth OF the channel where the water-gauge
is fixed. At Cincinnati this depth Is Is feet,
which, II added to :he published dcpth, makes
the volume SO feet.
FLOOD NOTES.