Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-02-09
.arauding Villains Preying Upon
refeRceless Property.
Minor Matters Pertaining to the
Flood in This Vicinity,
And TeIssraphlc News From Along
The Chic Valley.

3A.N N.-At this hour the water has r.
ceded about six feet, and is still falling of.
The decline is very SLOW, much more so
than was anticipated, caused by the ever
flew Of rivers below. Daylight will find a
fall OF not over nine feet, but that Will re-
lease many houses. The SIX feet OF
fall noted at three o'clock had made
a very perceptible change. Ol Market
street the water had receded TO Sheekey' 5
saloon, and on Twelfth street to the corner
of Main. On Fourteenth the edge was at
the Intelligencer alley. AS the water
draws of it leaves Il heavy deposit OF soft
mud, very unsigltly and dissgreeable, and
persons should, if possible, begin their
cleaning before the water entirely leaves,
so as to have it carry of this deposit.
Yesterday brought only the go9d news
that the water was about to retire. Other
wise the scenes and situation were un-
changed. While the danger was relieved,
and it is believed not human being is in
a position of peril, the suffering and dis
tress are Just as much in need OF the splen-
did relief being afforded as during the first
hours of the deluge. One thing was made
apparent: In the presence OF its supposed
danger and in view Of its greatest exposure.
it was supposed the Island was The worst
spot, but later developments show the 10 yer
end to have suffered more and To be
in worse condition. 1t is more isolated
than even the Island, ard is much lower
than sverage I,land ground. As conss-
uuenc, it was more deeply submerged and
the vicinity Of the hill alone prevented
fearful loss Of life. The Good SAmsritans
Of the various relief organizations have
stood between these hundreds OF people
and starvation, and only those who accom-
panied the relief bjsts and wagons can
have even faint conception of the situa-
ton down there. But it, with other locali-
ties, will be described more in detail in
tEeiy proper places below.
Tie crisis is past and the great danger Is
gone. The deluge is leaving US with ac'
ce.rrs.ed speed, ard the morning. light
will find a great change in everything
V,ry slowly, as il reluctant to leave its
prev, the retreat Of the water began. tuch
bv irch it surrendered ground, at first
numbering one hour to every inch, but
sr.GuaIly retreating more rapidly. At
dsylight the fall was only foot, and by
dark last night not over five feet OF de-
cl;re had taken place. But by this morn
ire the retreat will have changed into 8
rout. and the turbid element will 60 as
rapidly as it came upon us. By Sunday
the river will be within its ban&s, and the
great flood of 1854, the greatest the Ohio
Valley ever knew or feared, will be over.
But the want and necessity will remain
ss great as ever. Many days will have
slepsed before the now plenteous charity
car be Withdrawn, for with many the dis
srresrance OF the water will be only the
sirDal for new troubles. Then sickness
will follow, sickness resulting from the re-
Isxotion of over strained nervous sys-
TENS, and sickness resulting from too
soon living in the damp houses. susges-
tions are given in another place, and
should be carefully read and sctei upon.
There is another matter demanding at
teptiou, which is the necessity OF an in
crease of the number of guards. Pillsge
is rampant, even in the hour OF misery
and the authorities should Qusdruple the
number Of guards and pstrolmsn without
a moments delay.