The Dickinson press., 1884-09-20
WRECKED BY THE FLOODS.
Tie Causes and Effects Of the Inundation at
Eau Claire Fairly Con.
sidered.
No Business Firms Are Seriously Affected by
the Disaster-Additional List
of Losses.
Of Nj. David Cover of saltwater
Minor Mishaps.


From the st. Paul Pioneer Press, Sept Is.
Eau Claire is recovering from the dismay
which overwhelmed her last week; and her
people on looking over the situation, find
that their loss, great as it is. is not irretriev-
able, and are taking heart of grace to repair
the damage done by the flood. 1t taught
them some l~essons-dea1ly, it is true; but the
cost of which will he well covered if they are
needed. Mr.. E. L. Putnam, cashier of the
Chippewa Valley bank, interested in many
large commercial establishments in the city,
says to-day, the reason of the great damage
is that the people made the mistake of build
ing on low ground next to the river. They
might have gone to the bluff TO build just as
well, and escaped the disaster. If the city
had spent one-tenth of the money in making
streets on the bluff that 1T has in fixing roads
near the river, the population would have
stretched farther back.
What will be the permanent effect of the
food on the interests of the city?" was asked.
"A good one. We have learned lessons as 10
where and how to build bridges, and how to
make foundations. Private citizens have not
paid 80 much attention as they ought to the
city's public affairs, and as a result these numer-
GUS low and flimsy bridges have been built and
swept away. They will probably now take hold
and advise the council to see to it that bridges
shall be fewer, higher, and of better construc-
ton. and the people encouraged to build farther
away from the river. One good result of the
freshet is that it has demonstrated the strength
of the dam and reservoir of Dells Improvement
company. of which we feel very proud. 1t has
been shown that they can hold all the logs that
come down, the only place on the river where
thay can be held, in fact, since the Chippewa
Falls dam fell out. This will give lumbermen
and manufacturers confidence in the eligibility
OF Eau Claire as a location for their business"
LOSSES TO LUMBERMEN,
while they are heavy are pretty evenly distrib-
uted, and none Of them are crippled. as I am in
q position to know, for our bank carries q num-
Der of them. 1t is the same way with the gen.
eral business of the city. While there is no in
suranoe on damages, the loss in almost every case
is not total, and the stability of the houses will
not be affected"
DO you expect much suffering among the
poor this winter on account of the calamity?"
No. The present necessities of those made
houseless are being provided for. The repairs
which the flood make necessary will furnish
work for everybody. The mills, too, will start
up in a couple of weeks"
THE CAUSE OF THE DISASTER,
Speaking of the cause of the disaster, Mr..
Putnam said:
l understand that the men in charge Of the
dams up the river were not at their posts when
the flood came, and neglected to open the gates,
so the water, instead of being let out easily and
gently, was penned up until it burst the bounds
and came down as a destructive flood. If this
charge is true, it shows very serious dereliction
on their part.