Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-05-26
THE WILD WASTE OF WATERS.
Crops Destroyed, Houses and Cattle and
AOrses SWant AWaY

crops Destroyed, Houses and Cattle and
Horses swept Away.
QUINCY, May 18.-The great food that
now prevails along the Mississippi river has
never been equaled but once, the single ex-
,ception beng in 1857. Ten days ago the
water reached tho danger pint and from
ina. time mas been rising steadily at the rate
., from four to fourteen inches daily. The
government gauge now marks nineteen feet
nine inches, being seven inches higher thar.
during the great flood of 1881. Above and
below Quincy are over 100 miles of levees
for the protection of fully 2OO, coo acres of
tanc, the most productive farming lands in
the valley.
On sunday morning tho first break oc-
CURED IN one of these great embankments
day two other crevasses were made and
within few hours thousands of acres of
winter wheat, that promised yield of from
forty TO sixty bushels to the acre, were laid
waste. Farmers had been working on the
embankment night and day in hope of saw
ing their homes and when the flood came
the majority Of them had barely time to
save their families, 80 sudden and over
whelming was the onrush of the torrents
Ousslqe OF tho enbaukrlent was the great
river, q solid body of water, twenty feet
oeep ana as soon as evice was made it
poured through the opening with roar that
could be heard long distance.
Every movement increased the width of
the crevasses and the gre at flood that was to
carry destruction in its pathway. Thrifty
from riders who were sent out to give war;
ing OF danger. In many cases people being
Obliged to leave every thug and fly to the
bluffs, or seek safety in boat.
On Monday Sny cart levee, an enbank-
ment commencing just below Quincy and
extending south distance of ffty-four
miles, gave way between Hannibal and
Louisiana, and the scenes enacted the day
previous were repeated and intensified
Early In the week Alexandria levee, thirty
miles above Quincy, gave way, completely
flooding that thrifty city.
Yesterday crevices were made in New
York levee at East Hannibal, followed soon
after by another break a mile south and
last night the destruction in all levee dis
trlcte was complete, not an acre of ground
IN this vast territory can escape the flood
and the loss of farming interests is simply
incalculable. Cattle and horses fairly
swarmed In many places and many were
drowned.
The river above and below the city is from
ten to fifteen miles broad. covering all The
farms on both sides and extending from
the bluffs on the Illinois side to the high
bluffs in Missouri.
The scene of desolation between Quincy
and Hannibal is simply terrible. What was,
q few days ago fertile valley, with abund-
ant crops, is now q vast expanse of water,
deserted by every living thing. The water is
pouring over the top of the levee, besides
rushing through breaks from three hundred
force.
On dry places of the embankment are
hundreds of cattls, horses, hogs, without
feed and no prospect of drink except where,
IN danger OF being swallowed up by the
floods. Far across on the opposite side of
the bluffs are gathered hundreds of men, wo-
men and children, in small groups, desti-
tute, suffering and despairing. They look |
upon the ruin wrought, their farms laid |
waste. property destroyed, homes almost !
completely under water and furniture float |
ing. Many of them are utterly destitute, |
some are suffering for food, despite the |
bravery OF more fortunate neighbors, who |
are making every e1ertion to relieve their
immediate wants. Steps have been taken
to aid them. and the spirit of charity is al /
rendy pouring its abundance to aid them
with every necessary of life.
Railroad communication to the west from
this city is entirely cut of, every road being
under water: In many localities ties and
rails, for a distance of many miles, have
been washed from the road bed by the food
and are piled up along the embankment and
in the woods.
Bridges and culvsrts vii, be carried out
and road beds will be ssricusly dau aged.
In this city, facto- IS and Tcrshonses
along the river are seriously damaged.
Large buildings are being gradually under
mined by the rushing waters, and unless the
hood subsidies soon, the loss will be much
heavier than hitherto anticipated
Last evening mass meeting was held to
ievlse means for immediate relief of the
destitute sufferers from the flood. For tho
past two or three days these helpless people
rave been coming to the city in boats;
single row boat of ten, containing an entire
amlly, with such household effects as could