The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-02-22
The Flood at Cincinnati and Other
Points.

CINCINNATI, O., Feb. 15.-Those who
know this city will be able to form some
conception Of the height Of the flood when
they learn that on the highest point on
Pearl street great flat-boats and skitfs float,
taking passengers on Vine street above
Pearl. On the way to the suspension
bridge the passenger in skiff sees the
water up to the second floors on Second
street, and into them on Front street.
From the landing away up on the
suspension bridge entrance he steps
right out of tie bout upon the
viaduct leading over Water street Looking
over the railing into Second street he sees a
rushing current SO nearly touching the under
side of the viaduct as to render it next to
impossible for even skiff to pass under it.
At the center of the suspension bridge there
was at dark last night but thirty feet of
space between the water and the bridge.
Then, looking upstream, there are the four
story houses on Rat Row, with only the
top story and part of the third story out of
the water. On the public landing the water
is up in the second stories. In the old
Spencer House Hotel building, once the
property of Charlotte Cushman, it is we'll up
into the second stories. Looking up Green
street, in Covington, which is next to the
river, one sees not house in which the
water is not far up Oh the second-story Win
doWS Newport barracks with its three
story buildings, look as if they were in the
very middle of the river Only the upper
stories of the barracks are dry. Looking
down stream from the Suspension Bridge
both shores resemble unbroken contributes
of drift The house fronts and roots are
obscured by the boats and bargeS huddled
on either shore.
At two p. m. yesterday the river was
stationary az SeYenty-one feet and three
quarters of an inch and one hour afterWard
the water began to fall, and has continued
to recede steadily ever since. The fall is
very gradual, but it is believed that the
flood will now steadily recede.
WHEELING, w. Va, Feb. 15.-A CORE
spondent accompanied relief expedition
from Charleston to the flooded towns on the
Kanawha and those near the junction of
that river with the Ohio. Buffalo, the first
point touched, is under water and almost
deserted. Three large tow-boats lie in
port, crowded with refugees. Provisions
were judieiously distributed here and at all
points down to Point Pleasant. In some
cases food was furnished to families who
had had nothing since Monday From Buff
falo to Point Pleasant the water extends
from hill to hill, and the inhabitants have
fled to the high lands. Hundreds are living
in tents and hastily constructed cabins
Many cases of extreme hardship are re-
ported and incidents of sickening detail
related.
The supplies are distributed from boats
Mayor Tomlinson and the Relief Commit
tee are doing all in their power to aid the
needy. Six tons Of provisions were left at
Gallipolis for distribution among the towns
OF Aliddleport, Mt. Pleasant and Pomeroy.
Gallipolis, which suffered little, has taken
care of her destitute and contributed large
ly to other places. The situation at Mid
dleport, Pomeroy, and in that populons
bend is probably worse han any point in
the Ohio Valley.