The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-02-07

WoSonoi ih'Bu NAiip huu uohrly eSeIy Otuoi
description Of Fehicles passing over tht
bridge In both directions; going over empty
and returning filled to their utmost capacity
with household goods, and women ant
children.
by o'clock the rule requiring vehicles
to proceed at walk In crossing the bridge
was totally disregarded, aud everything
was moving at brisk trot, while the bridge
swayed 30 violently as 10 make one dizzy
In crossing. It was necessary to go at thit
speed, Tor the river had risen 80 rapidly
that fully one.haif OF the Island residentt
were In position to suffer serious lo8s un'
less their goods were removed promptly.
A TOUR ON THE gLAND.
An INTEILIaKNcER reporter visited the
Island about SP. M. At that hour, the
waters were tapping the south foundation
Of Captain McLure's house, on South
Front street. From Captain McLure's res
idence, down as far as one could see, the
houses were entirely surrounded by water.
A dozen skifs or more were being rapidly
rowed up and down the street conveying
people and their valuables to higher
points. 4
One could readily have imagined him.
selt at an important steamboat landing as
he watched the express wagons and car
riages drive up and wait for the arrival OF
the skifis. From the occupants oil these
skifs 1t was learned that nearly ali the
houses on South Front street and South
Penn street were deserted, all the furni-
ture, carpets and other moyables having
been removed to the second stories. Sew
eral people, however, very foolishly took
To the second stories themselves. Last
night these people realized their folly. 7
The Fair Grounds were flooded to a
depth Of from to Is feet, and great loss
will be sustained by the Association. AL.
though no one could reach the place, It
~ss feared that The ice which set in there
strongly, owing 10 the creek current, would
cut down the sheds and light buildings,
besides doing great damage to the main
buildings -. sF. {
Virginia street WAS crowded. 1t was the
only remaining avenue Of approach to the
bridge, Zane street, at the bend where It
joins Front, being covered several feet
with water and ice. From all the side
streets people and vehicles were crowding
into Virginia. !
at the west end Of the street, the water
from the back river was rapidly coming
up. It acted as warning and observing
the threatening aspect, all worked harder
and harder. There was an almost inter.
minable line Of heavy vans conveying
planes and organs TO places OF safety. L
ia estimated that over fifty pianos were
removed. The e1pressmen reaped q rich
harvest. They could get big prices and
they charged accordingly.
Mixed in the heterogeneous procession
on Virginia street we're several head OF
cattle, being driven to the city. 1t was
scene once seen never to be forgotten.
ENcRoACHMENTs or THE FLOOD.
At the west end Of Zane street, the back
river bridge was only to be reached by
skiAs. North OF Zane street during the
day very little Inconvenience was inexper.
fenced on the high ground lying west OF
North Front The north end OF the Island
and large portion Of that land lying con.
tigious 10 the old fair grounds was SUBJ
merged. AT night, however, the situation
was much more alarming. By 9 o'clock
the river was tapping the door sill OF the
'round house" at the corner of Virginia
and Front streets, Virginia was entirely
covered with water and 80 was nearly
every other street, and the river was still
rising. 49, Fl
The number OF spectators attracted to
the Island WAS very large. Among them
were many hard looking characters, and
every one took care that their Faluables
were safely removed or well concealed,
fearing that burlars would take advantage
Of the event and ply their nefarious work
Those Island people living
on ground that was thought to bs out Of
the reach Of anything less than fifty feet of
water were very kind to those net so for
tunats.
Last night the Island might be said to be
q place of desolation and terror. The gas
supply gave out at 8 o'clock yesterday
owing to the water and mud in
the pipes. An occasional light could be
seen dancing over the waters as skiff
would proceed from house to house, seek.
ing any that might have been left behind,
The feeble ray OF candle or lamp would
also occasionally be seen in the upper
story Of some house. All that could be
heard was the swirl and rush of the waters,
and once in while hail from some skiff.
man. It WAS dreary spectacle to contem.
plate, and all will wish that it may be
many generations before the beautiful
Garden Spot" undergoes another such
visitation. "'s