The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-07-03
THE FLOOD.

Everybody knew it rained pretty
hard Wednesday night, but few re-
allied that flood had descended until
they began to look about them Thurs
day morning, and then they found
that nearly everything wasunder wa
ter. AS soon as it was learned that
both Elm creek and the yNeosho river
were out Of their banks, considerable
uneasiness was felt for the families liv-
ing near the streams, and the citizens
turned out in, large numbers through
the driving rain to be of what assist
ance they Could 1t was found that
the water was four or five feet deep in
Mr.. Pancoast's house, SO raft was
hastily built and lowed in by
a rope, the water being SO
deep between the high land and
the house that tall man could bare
~ wade it. The family were taken
out of the second story window and all
safely landed. Just south of Mr.. Pan
coasts house the water was running
over the road bed of the new wagon
bridge across Elm creek. This was
about seven o'clock. An hour later
we took horse and tried to learn the
situation along the river, but it was
impossible to get close enough to see
anything. Going west we were only
able to reach the slaughter house by
riding across the foot bridge at the
canning factory, while beyond that it
was impossible to ride without SWIM
ming your horse. Going south we
were able by riding along the railroad,
to get as far as the railroad bridge
across Elm creek, but on both sides
nearly to the road bed. AS soon as it
could be done raft was built-the
boats at the mill being all sunk and
out of reach-and some men lowed it |
down into the bend of the river, sue
ceeding in bringing out all the women
and children that yet remained there,
some of them having already escaped
in wagons and on horse back. With
out this assistance it is almost certain |
that some lives would have been lost.
Some of the men remained there hop
ing to be able to save their stock but
this will be impossible if the water con-
tinues to rise. AS We go to press some
apprehension is.felt for people living on
the west side of the river. Mr.. Drake
is known to have got away from his
house safely but there is no news from
others.
1t is undoubtedly the greatest flood
since the county was settled, and the
that will be done to the county
can scarcely be estimated.
NOTES AND INCIDENTS.
While Mrs. Pancoast was being car
ried ashore, the raft turned over and
she was thrown into the water up to
her neck. Mr.. Pancoast lost some
hogs, a calf and two or three bee hives
Dan Thorpe stood it till noon, but
when the water continued to rise in
stead of fall, he called for team and
wagon.
Capt. Ewing remained up town We'd
nesday night, and in trying TO reach
home the next morning came near
a horse. His family were
taken to Mr.. Bassett's.
The steamboats, are all right and
served a good purpose in saving stock
and other property.
All the ice houses but one are gone
and it is thought to be in danger.
A number of families living along
the ravine in the north part of town
were obliged to move.
Houses leaked that never leaked be-
fore.
If the Web.worms can stand this
they are good ones.
The celebration grounds are four
feet under water. Lack-a-day!