Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1886-03-24

The Sioux City Journals correspond
ent at Elk Point graphically describes
the situation Sunday morning, from
which We CLEAN the following:
The overflow which. began near here
Thursday evening has steadily gained in
magnitude until now thousands OF
acres of farms are inundated and the
water is yet rising. 1t will approach in
magnitude the memorable food of five
years ago, though the damage to life and
Since thr ee O'Clock this morning the
water has raised fully eight feet, YER
flowing the banks OF the slough west OF
town and inundatlng the low lands in
all directions. The Beggs residence
one block west of the Blizzard Office, is
surrounded by water. and as far as the
eye can reach in every direction is 3 vast
ocean of seething waves. Farmers in the
bottom early took rouge with friends
and neighbors on the uplands, and SO
far no casualties have occurred, though
many rumors are etoat. Between here
and Richland, across the prairIes, the
water is from ons to five feet deep, and
near town it varies from one to fifteen
feet.
Houses, and barns and o%utbuildings
IN the suburbs are flooded. 1t is prob
able that Main street will be oyerAowed
before morning, but no serious damage
is apprehended. Southeast from town
the farms of Judge Kiplinger, Howard,
Mosier and Armlntrout are inundated.
No communication has been had with
people living on the upland between the
river and the overlooked country this
side. Should the volume Of water con-
tinue to increase for any length of time
no one can calculate as to the results, as
hundreds of families and thousands OF
head of stock have sought safety on the
higher lands, and if these are flooded,
the imagination alone can picture the
results. 1t is reported at this writing
eleven p. NJ, that the water ia falling,
the current having divided. Should
this be the case, imminent
danger is passed. All is
being done that can be to protect
against the worst, and many are out in
boats on the watch for unfortpnates
Hundreds have viewed the food during
the day and all along the edge of the
overflow may now be seen lanterns
fitting here and there, carried by our
citizens, who will sleep but little during
the night. Farmers have been busy dur.
ing the day in sacklng their grain, and
as Tar as possible placing all perishaple
articles IN upper stories or places 81
safety. Considerable alarm is felt
yet; people are not excited, and this Will
greatly aid in better protection. In
some instances old men, farmers who
have lost their ell, or nearly so, wiring
their hands and cry with despair. The
river IS clear OF ice above, but gorged
below, and the worst is feared, but the
best is hoped for. The damage SO far is
PRINCIPALLY confined to farm products
snd the inundation of land. Should this
water retain its present volume for any
length OF time, however, the damage Of
property will nearly equal that of five
years ago. No damage is feared to this
city, though we are now surrounded and
the current is finding its way to the
central portion of the town. Partie
who went out with boats this mornino
have Just returned. They report j
number OF iarmhouses flooded but The
inmates safe, they having taken refuoe
IN the upper stories. The current has
just found it's way INTO the court honse
yard, n is flooding the cutters along
the back streets of town. The volume
seems to be increasing and doubtless
rallr0sd communication with the east
VIII be cut Off, the water being a foot
or more deep on the track near ,Joffer.
son.