The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-09-01
A RUINOUS DELUGE
FROM AN ARrESIAN WELL AT
BELLE PLAIN, IA.
The Town Threatened With Fatal
Destruction = Phenomenal
Freak OF Nature.

CHICAGO, I'LL, August 31.--A dis.
patch YVES received at the City Han
this afternoon from the Mayor OF Bale
Psin, Ia, which states that an artt
tiau well, four riches in dismeter,
burst when the depth Of $50 feet 40
been reached in boring, ana instantly
a volume Ct va er vas forced into the
air ID the distance OF esveial hundred
feet. This gradually increased in size
and volume until stream OF water
fully eixteen inches in diameter was
formed, and the upward foice CT this
stream is equal 70 the power OF pow
der or dynamite. The water, 10 huge
volumes, is spouting biph in the AT,
and the supply seems inexhaustble
Two gisautic rivers have been formed
by this water burst, which is runLing
through the TO wn at the rate oitwelve
miles an hour, and a'e carrying every
hing BET, re them. Houses and lives
are threatened by this peculiar freak
of nature, end the citizens OF the town
are appalled, 81 the impending dan
ger, which at present they are
poweriees n oveIc mo. Finding
it imp sab'e to divert this
DAMAGING FLOOD,
en- attempt was made tot inle't Elk
teen inch bOlief iron tubes in 0 the
well, but these vera 90 1siantly blown
out and forced high in the air. Find
ing this plan useless the terrified pee
ole then at emf ted to a. up TIE huge
aoertnre through which this terrib G
peiser vas spoutipg its deluge. FIJI.
rptn car / ads OF store were empt'ed
into the well, bu, these vera ingtan ly
blown out and (, reed up az though
pr pyled bv the force OF a bursting
magazine OF giant powder. Bags O.
sand were thaa haaily constructed
aud ca INTO the vel, but these, too
were hurled into the air by thu
tremendous force Of the scouting
water. The Northwestern Rsilrca;
was then ca led upon for sistanc
and instantly scot large gang ct mel
to the rescue. The bridge gang OF tn,
county wa also called upon, but NJ
n this even ng no abatement in tn
flow OF wttsr wss perceptible, and h
rubbing rivers formed by 1t were wash
ing the channel 1t had msde deepe
and wider, while the bae!n formed b
this
IMMENSE VOLUME OF WATER
wa, spr,a1ing over the lorlancs !
the vicinity. The Mayor of Bell
Plain, in his last extremity, tell
graphed to Chicago for the best eng
neefs thst could be secured TO com
immediately to the spot and use the
skill and energy in attempting to etc
this perilous condition OF affairs. CIT
Engineer Art'ng-tall, 10 whom Ii
; matter was referred, at once starte
out to find an engineer who wou!
supply the demand, and rucceeded
, Inducing Engineer Morgaolto uude
take the mission. Messrs. Artipgsts
and Morgan are, however, both OF IL
opinion that but little can be done,
anything, to stop the flow OF wate
bat that it may be possible 70 DIRE
d tho rivers into less daugt rous DIRE
tions and confpe them to their PR
8 emit channel. Mr.. Morgan left I
+ Belle Plain tonight, ard ii more
P eis' auce Is necessary Mr.. AringSi
9 will send ell that ia needed. This
u regarded as one OF the most pr
q nomenal freaks Of nature which b
d vet been known, and the thrcaten
Q danger to the people and property
d Belle Plain demand inetant and en'
l. get efforts to stop the ruinous celu
> OF water.