St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-04-03
The FLOOD UPON Them
Those Near the Missouri Flee
for Their Lives From
Floods.
Stock Drowned and Much
Damage Done to Other
Property.
The Terrible Scenes Of 1884
Observation-Disclosures Washed
Out.
0watonna Trying to Raise
Funds for a New Acad-
emy.
Special TO the Globe.

SIOUX CITY, To-, April 2.-The trouble
that has been feared in the lowlands
along the Missouri between this city
and Elk Point came early this morning.
Sunday forenoon word was received
from Jefferson, OAK, that the water was
rising rapidly, and special train, with
Supt. Beardsley and other railroad men,
went up on a tour of inspection. They
found the great gorge in the river oppO-
site the mouth of the Big Sioux was
still solid, and was holding the water
that was coming rapidly from above. 1t
was hoped that the gorge would break
at once and let out the pent up
waters, but this did not occur, and by
night about nine miles of the Milwau-
kee track, between Jefferson and Elk
Point, was submerged, and it is thought
good share of it is washed away. Just
below Elk Point there is a slough
through which, in times of high water,
the water runs from the Missouri across
into the Big Sioux. The Milwaukee
track crosses this by bridge. Soon
the water was rushing in torrents
through this slough, which overflowed,
and tract of rich agricultural country
about eight by fourteen miles is entirely
covered by water. So far as reported
no lives have been lots, but great
deal of
STOCK IS DROWNED,
and many families forced to leave their
homes and forced to seek shelter on
higher ground. Late reports from Elk
Point show that the water there is
higher than in 1881. Bee hives in the
yards of residents have been tioated off.
The Milwaukee depot is filled with
water to depth of one OF two inches,
and everywhere greater damage is be-
ing done than by the food Of 1881. West
and north of Elk Point the country is
Oyerhowed, and much distress is occa-
stoned. The ice which is now croWding
the channel does not come from the
river above the Sioux point. but flows
across the oyerflowed land from Elk
Point t. the Big Sioux, which fact
gives rise to the fear that the river
will change its channel permanently
by cutting through that place and
work incalculable damage to the coun-
try thereaboutS. The water began to
rise at Sioux City about a. III. to-day,
and for time rose very rapidly, and
the river was full of ice, which tllmbled
and Whirled in current estimated at
ten miles an hour. Gumbo point here
is being slowly undermined, and great
chunks disappear in the seething
waters. Workmen have been driven
out of the sewers in the stockyards dis
trict, and the flood
HAS RISEN THREE FEET
since last night. The ice is clogging up
the channel at Gumbo point, and there
is every reason to fear gorge at that
place. The banks of the Nebraska
shore, opposite Prospect Hill, have been
washed by the current into the river in
large chunks, some of them 20x30 feet.
Parties living near in houses had
moved out, but the ravages have some
what ceased. and the current is coming
uearer the Iowa shore. No apprehen-
sion is felt here unless gorge forms
below, which is possible, as great
amount of ice was running. Word
came this afternoon that the Milwaukee
railroad bridge over the Big Sioux had
gone, but this was mistake, although
at 8 p. III. the ice was piled against it as
high as the bridge itself, and it is feared
the structure will give way. All trains
on the Milwaukee line between this
city and Elk Point, Sioux Falls, Mitchell
and other Dakota point" is cut off and
will not be re-eStabliShed for some time.
In 1881 the flood did damage in the same
place that was not repaired so trains
could run till June. A telegram re-
ceived at the Milwaukee headquarters
at 3 p. m. says that the water is rising
at Elk Point and it is feared that the
worst scenes of 1881 will be re-enacted,
when that town was badly damaged.
Vermillion is submerged and the town
Of Green Isladd swept out of existence.