Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1890-06-20
Rockford, ILL.,, Suffers.

Rockford, ILL.,, June 14.-At least
half a million dollars worth of property
was destroyed in this city and vicinity
last night. Never since 1857, when the
waters rose and overwhelmed nearly all
of Rockford, has such q disastrous flood
visited this section as that of last even
ing. For three hours the rain fell in
torrents, vivid lightning played, n fol-
lowing each flash came terrific peals of
thunder. The storm commenced about
$50 o'clock and in a surprisingly short
space of time every street was a turbu-
lent river. Creeks swelled and in a mo-
ment the devastating floods were sweep
ing through Kent and Keith creek val
leys. Each creek drains an immense
area of territory, and from every side
came contributions to the waters
until the creeks had become destructive
torrents. Down the Keith creek district
came the flood, sweeping everything be-
fore it. The banks of the streams were
powerless to confne the mad waters and
they spread over the low lands, filling
cellars and creeping up to the first sto-
ries of the residences, driving the occu-
pants out of their houses and from their
beds. The lumber piles in the rear
of factories we're picked up by the water
and borne along, planks and railroad ties
proving battering rams which took down
bridges spanning the creek of Railroad
avenue and Sixth and Fifth streets.
While the fire department and police
we're working in Woodruf's addition,
word was received that the people living
around Kent creek we're in distress and
asking for a patrol and assistance imme-
dlately. Mayor Sherrall with a force of
men hurriedly loaded a boat into a wag-
on and were Don at the water edge. On
Cedar street the scene was awful. Men,
women and children were out in the rain
many weeping and wringing their hands,
and all excited. 1t was a miniature of
the YOUNGSTOWN food and somewhat SINH
lar in many respects. Before the people
were hardly aware Of it, water was rush
ing down the creek, creeping into their
homes, driving families out into the
darkness and rain. The mayors party
did some valiant work in taking the peo-
pie from their homes. All parts of the
city we're flooded and hundreds of people
rendered homeless. The spectacle this
morning presented q scene of desolation
and ruin. The wreck Of the Milwaukee
road presents the worst appearance.
Nearly half a mile of track has been
lifted bodily and carried from thirty to
fifty feet to the east. The rails under
the cars are twisted and bent into a cir
Gle, the water coming with such terrific
force that it bent and played with the
companies suffered heavily and every
swept away.
M~AYsvILLE's TALE OF DISTRESS.
NASHVILLE, KY, June, l4.-All day
long people for ten miles around have
been coming and going to see the Chesa-
peake & Ohio railroad wreck and storm
damages at Bull creek, near Maysville.
This creek empties into the Ohio river
some five miles above Maysville. The
clouds broke near James TWINS portable
saw mill, half a mile. above the railroad
stone culvert and hurled the mill and
logs against the culvert sweeping it away.
Right in the track of this torrent stood
Widow Hestler's log cabin which was
lifted up and carried along with it. She
and her two daughters we're drowned.
Neal Corvell's tobacco barn was struck
by lightning and it, and contents burned.
The Lewis and Mason turnpike is wash
ed away from Flumville to the Lewis
county line. The strong double span
iron railroad bridge over Cabin
creek fell in this evening after
rain rain had Just crossed ed over ssa:, The = pt turn,
vile are nearly all washed away. The