River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-05-24
MILLIONS SWEPT.
The Recently Flooded District Most
Desolate Waste.-The Loss Now Placed
at Nearly $4,000, OOO-Sickness Among
the Victims.

The Recently Flooded District Most
Desolate Waste-The Loss Now Placed
at Nearly $4,000, OOO-Sickness Among
the Victims.
Quincy, ILL.,, May q The mighty food
III the Mississippi, which viii be renam-
bered as without a precedent in tho de-
struetion and suffering created. is slowly
abating and it is thought that the worst
Of the high water is passed. But the
worst that could happen has already
occurred, hundreds Of families having
been rendered homeless and thousands Of
acres Of growing crops ruined, TO say moth
ing OF the loss cntaile1 by demolished
dwellings, wrecked fences and washouts
A trip through the submerged regions
shows that the stories of loss and suffering
already published have not been exagger-
ated ia the least.
From the northern end of Adams County
10 the southern end of Pike County the land
on the Illinois side of the river was protect
ed by a system of levees, the region en-
bracing 10000 acres, the soil being the
richest in the State. All the region
is now one vast lake from six TO ten
feet in depth. Along the bluff on the east
en edge Of the submerged district hun
dreds Of families are camped, living in
tents, huts and in the open air Before the
food most Of these people were well do,
prosperous farmers, but now they have
little or nothing
Much sickness prevails among the un
fortunates, owing to want and exposure,
but prompt measures have been taken to
alleviate their sufferings. Relief commit
tees from Quincy went above and below the
city yesterday with provisions, clothing
and medicines, and most of the cases Of
IT,.
the victims will need assistance for sew
eral weeks TO come. Several thousand
dollars have been raised in this city for the
benefit OF the victims and more win be
collected. The inundated regions are full
of desolation. Deserted homesteads with
the water tapping the caves are
the most frequent as well as the most
pathetic sight. But here and there is a
spark of life not yet extinguished by the
Rll-destrOying waters. While the vast ma
jority of the inhabitants fed to the higher
land few were not granted time to get
away or misiudged the character Of the
breaks in the levee and determined to stay
with their homes, and are now living in the
garrets or on the roofs.
Every roof has been turned into = place
of refuge for live stock, poultry etc, but
numberless houses have been lifted from
tiACAl AbhthdiiDl1 anu NhlIItu away WIN
the irresistible current or demolished en-
tirely.
In the Sny levoe district below this city
the situation is infinitely worse than
in the regions of the north.
The crevasse, which completed the IN
undatiOn, opened at the upper end
of the embankment and the pentup waters
from the river poured over the vast tract
of rich farming land, sweeping every thing
before it. The torrent rushed down in a
great wave several feet high with force
which nothing could withstand Oppo
site the crevasse was the magnificent resi-
dence of Mr. Stillwell. of which not vest
ige remains. The farmers in the district
worked on the weakening levee with the
energy Of desperation, ceasing not their
efforts until the bank gave way. The noise
that accompanied it could be distinctly
heard fully two miles.
The towns of Fall Creek, Seehorn and
Hulls are but mere islands, and hundreds
Of refugees are huddled together in limited
space. Four or five families are living in
each Of the rooms in the few houses above
the water, and are suffering intensely.
Owing to the great confusion it is impos-
sible to obtain detailed losses but the ag-
gregate will reach fully S3,00O,OO0 from
crops alone. The damage TO the levees,
houses and railroads viii approximate
5000, 900.