The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-09-11
GEORGIA HAS A VENICE.
THE RAGING SAVANNAH RUsHEs
INTO AUGUSTA.

The Loss Estimated at 100000
Two Negro Boatmen Drowned
While Drunk-Many People Have
Narrow Escapes-Boats Plying the
Streets-F Floors Everywhere
Unteuable.
AUGUSTA, GA, Sept. 10, 6 P. M.-Citi-
zens of Augusta in the lower parts of the
town were awakened this NOR ling by the
tapping Of water under their houses
The scene following the first intimation
of the threatening food was hearrending.
Women seized children and rushed into the
streets, screaming only to be met by water
and steady down-pour of rain.
The suddenness of the rise of the water
filled the strongest breasts with dismay.
In many cases invalids had to be hurried
from their beds.
The Savannah river, before to-day, had
not reached 81 feet in twenty-five years. In
1855 the water was up in the principal
streets but did not cover so large an area as
it does to-day.
The sun is now shining and the commu-
nifty is hopeful that the river will soon begin
to recede. Rain has poured down almost
without cessation for The past two weeks.
The river was high Friday, but when it
subsided nothing further was expected.
LIKE THIEF IN THE NIGHT
1t came up during last night at the rate
of about six inches an hour.
All the cotton and other manufactures in
the city have stopped work on account of
the high water Those located on the river
have their first stories flooded.
Only two casualties have been reported
as yet, though the experiences of several
citizens with the rushing currents sweeping
through the town were exciting, and many
narrow escapes from drowning occurred
during the day. Those who perished were
two negro boatmen, who were made reck-
less by drink.
Houses are crumbling, their foundations
being undermined by the lift current.
RESCUED FROM TREES.
Trees are filed with all kinds Of debris, and
in many cases people have been rescued
from their tops, where they had taken
refuge.
This afternoon batteaux were moored in
the door of the Office Of the Western Union
Telegraph Company.
The water is about four feet deep on
Broad street. In many cases, the first
floors of stores and warehouses are flooded.
and the damage to merchants will be 81 ,000,-
600 without considering the losses of resi-
dents and to farmers through the total de-
struction Of crops.
Mayor May has shown himself equal to
the emergency. He has organized a relief
corps and prosecutes any boatman who re-
fuses assistance co flooded persons In pay
ment he gives them checks on sthe- city for
their services. Policemen patrol their beats
in boats.
INVADING THE PoSTOFFTCE.
The postoffice. after collecting the early
morning mail and arranging business up TO
noon, abandoned the first floor of the office.
All the railroads have abandoned their
schedules, and business throughout the city
is suspended.
Fears are entertained that the city will
be left In darkness tonight, as.the electric
light and gas companies plants are both
under water.
Telephonic and telegraphic communica-
ton is working badly under the broad light
of day.
There is little uneasness, but fears are
entertained for the night, as the water is
still rising.
The lofts Of humber homes and the upper
stories of residences on Greene street are
very popular. while the lower stories are
entry ports for all kinds of craft
THE CANAL BANK BROKEN.
The canal bank broke this morning near
buo lOCkS, Dub buo oAUoub vi Ju6 damage Is
not known.
Manager Syclaman says the food is not
anywhere near the exposition grounds, that
work is being pushed right along, and that
the big show will certainly open on Oct 10,
if the water reoedes by that time.
The Chronicle will come out in the morn
ing in spite of water In Its press room, aud
it will be delivered in boats.
j. 3. Cohen, reporter, had a narrow
escape from being drowned while on his
rounds.
Three inches of rain fell from 1 o'clock
Sunday morning until last night At noon
to-day the river marked 80 feet 5j< inches
and was still rising slowly. In 1865 the
river was 81 feet above low water mara, in
1872 it was 80 feet, and in 1910 it was SO
feet 6 inches. The grades Of the streets
have been raj ed several feet.
THE ONLY MAN OUT.
ALLENpALE, s. c., Sept. 10.-A NEWS
correspondent was the only passenger
leaving Augusta this morning on the Port
Royal road. The river was 81 feet high at
the bridge, and still rising.
One continuous sheet of water extends
from the river bank TO Green street, a dis
tance of four miles.
The track is under water in many places.
Crops along the river bottoms are ali lost,
and farmers are discouraged and de-
spondent.
The passenger train from Port Royal re-
turned from the river on account of wash