The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-09


CONSTANT be seen padding to and fro between
the deserd homes of the stricken toiers. As
: the watclr gazed upon the dreary scene, it was
but natul to fall into a reverie in keeping with
the surrondings-a dismal solemn reverie, dis
turbed oy by the cold, damp blasts, that made
him buttl his wraps closer about him.
in the lain channel the current seemed to be
law andluggish and the driftwood that came
alone Aeed placidly on, pile after pile, in
Sort 4, ny mOnOtony. Where the current
enco7 up some obstruction, such as the first
offe1'nd rtouse or wall, the waves seemed
lash Thkg fury and splashed and foamed
ang5a 81 ling to mind the description of the
foo I e Mill on the Floss The work
me-, ~ mers in the railroad shops were
nusned, and where they had stood a few hours
before the murky water was several feet deep,
and seemed to be insiduously creeping up the
hills, coming noiselessly, without warning, like
thief in the night. The tops of stunted trees
stuck up through the water on the opposite side
like Shaggy teeth in the jaws of huge alligator.
Through the half fog the bare trees and the
Kentucky hills looked as if clothed in somber
velvet The Licking appeared innocent enough
at its junction with the mother stream, and it
only needed the warm sunshine and the verdure
to make the weary sojourner feel the spirit of
Moores Meeting of the Waters"
The great clouds OF smoke rolling from out
the stack of some mandatory lowered
along aver the surface of the waste of water in
close communion, and then, as if frightened at
the outlook, rose up, and became lost in space.
TO the right dense cloud of smoke hung over
the Queen City, as il enveoping it in a canopy OF
mourning for the sufferers from the ravages OF
the wafer.
Visitors came all day; many had looked upon
the same view last year, and came to compare
the situation. As twilight came a truant kite,
freed from some youthful hands, sailed high in
the air over the water, as if contemplating de-
scent. 1t came lower little by little until finally
when about meeting the water, suddenly shot up
few feet in the air, as If contaminated by the
touch Again it came down, huttered feebly
and joined the drift in the turbulent Ohio.
flock of sparrows futtering around the caves of
deserted building, seemed disturbed by the I'M
usual aspect and chirped sad, mournful notes.
seemingly regretting the absence of the occu-
pants. A dog swan to and fro occasionally, and
howled before his desecrated kennel. Night final
ly spread her wings over scene of desolation
and misery.
CAUSE OF THE HIGH WATER.
Cincinnati Enquirer
It is not generally known, though nevertheless
true, that the fall of the Ohio river from Four
Mile to distance of fourteen miles below is but
three fourths of an inch to mile, while above
FourBIile the fall is three inches to mile.
Fourteen miles below it has fall of four inches
TO the mile.
It can be readily seen that when the Licking
and Little Miami are at full tide the back-water
is caught in this reach, which is the middle one,
and owing to the decreased fall the water backs
up in the surrounding country-ergo, if the
Licking and Little Miami should fall any at all
before the Pittsburg rise coming should
reach us, the river would remain stationary. If
not, and these rivers continue to pour out, there
will be material increase in the height of the
river.
Mr. MONEYS PREPARATIONS.
Cincinnati Enquirer.
A ride of mile and half in a leaky skiff,
and the tannery of the American Oak Leather
Company was reached.
Heard you had $780, 900 worth of hides in
your watts; Mr.. Mooney, and the water was all
over YOU
And Mr.. Mooney smiled.
Come out and see how we prepared" and
Mr.. Mooney showed the fve-foot embankment,
eighteen inches wide, secured by stakes and
stamped mud that he mad erected for /, 800 feet
all around his premises That's the way do
it in California said Mr.. Mooney when we
want to save mine. Now, do you think we are
safer
Steam was up. the factory was all running
and there was no appearance or sign of food,
or any effect from the high water. 'The only
tro ne says Mr.. Mooney, sis that the railroad
will not take our goods fast enough. No. water
has touched us yet, and, with that embankment,
can stand two feet more at least. Now, un-
de1stand we are calculating on seventy feet of
water" 1t is enough to say that the steam still
shoots out from the American Oak Tannery, and
they do not propose to shut down, flood no
food.
FLOODING OF 1.-THE POINT
Louisville Commercial.
AT twenty minutes past o'clock there was a
terrible noise followed by "a tremendous rush of
water through the fill, for an aperture had been
washed through and in less than two minutes
thereafter perfect cataract was madly pouring
into the bottoms
The waves rolled twenty feet high, and the
water raised so rapidly that the life-savers had
barely time to man their boats and shove off.
Down through the old bed of Beargrass creek
went the dashing pillows, and unobstructed was
their passage, until Cabel street was reached.
Here the street, being rathrr high and well made,
afforded sufficient barrier to the waters furi-
GUS search for a level. But ere long the river
had climbed up over Cabel street and was rush
ing madly on toward Clay street Here it found
another obstacle in its way but it soon overcame
it and pursued its course on to Preston street,
where it concluded its race and gradually raised
to a level with the river.
John Whallen and Major Hughes were in diff
ferent boats and the Major happened to get in
Jack Gilloolys boat Jack is a daredevil and
will venture anywhere He followed right down
after the big rush of waters, which necessitated
the jumping of the dams at Cabel and CLAW
streets. The first one was not so bad but at
Clay street the water was just 'bilin." 1t
dashed over the heavy stone wall, slashed right
and left, and sent a seething wave of foam high
IN the air. STEADY her up nowp' commanded
GilloOly as he approached the awful chute
Great God You are not going through there,
hope exclaimed Major Hughes. IF you are,
let Inc get out"
Too late now. Steady yourself hold tight
and look sharp roared Gillooly, and the next
instant the boat madea wild bound, and shot far
under the waves and foam.
I've lost my oar" yelled George Traeger one
of the crew, as the boat went bounding and
bouncing over the waves.
MY God! we are lost" cried Major Hughes
and for moment it looked as though the boat
was doomed to destruction, but by quick, dex-
ferrous movement, Jack brought her about QUITO
the frightful current and planted her against
Dennis Longs pipe foundry That's the only
time / ever prayed - remarked the Major after
all danger was passed.
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