Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-01-02

VI OIL over luc Il.
ed 1T. A bright blaze that illup,:ned the
darkness for many yards around was the
result. and by its light the danger to the
dam became apparent, as did also the
difficulty of relieving it.
The great double gates were closed.
and the pond was full to overlooking.
Over the top of the dam the water
poured in many places, and logs and
trees, dislodged by the unusual flood,
were battering ffercely against its solid
timbers and masonry. The big struct-
ure trembled under the weight of the
struggling flood.
Below the dam the waters foamed
and seethed, the great waves breaking
thunderingly against one another. The
grinding and humping of the logs and
the roaring of the flood drowned all
other sounds. and the men had to shout
to each other at close range to make
themselves heard at all. The rain fell
not in drops. but in sheets of water,
and was driven in the mems faces by an
angry wind.
Before the fury of the storm and
food the men stood awed and helpless,
as jewellers by the sea might stand to
watch vessel in the rentless grasp of
tempest. All of them felt the hope
lessness of the situation, and for few
moments no one spoke.
Il guess there amt nothin' that we
can do" said Bill Logan, the boss of the
camp, ruefully.
'Nothin', unless some manll cut that
middle post as holds the gates" asserted
ia X Sanders. Its as much as mans
life is worth to do it, an l don't want
| the job. | give notice o that
You're right. Jack" assented Logan.
Its tough to see 'er go, but l wouldn't
cut that post myself, an what | won't
do, L can't ask one o my men to try"
''liow it will sweep things along the
creek" Dolan said. Il shouldn' like to
live very near Rapid run when the dam
| breaks"
DO you think it will be worse than
the big March flood?" asked Paul Prince,
the chore-boy, who had listened fearful
ly to the mems predictions.
Worse; a dozen times worse. That
was baby flood compared to what this
will be-" answered Phil Kipp.
NO. Rapid run never saw such a
flood afore as it'll see tonight when that
dam breaks" said Logan. ''This1l beat
| EN- ALL"
Boys" said Paul. I'm afraid my
mother and Sam and the girls are in dan
ger When the big March flood came,
the water rose into the house so it was
two feet deep, and if this will be SO much
| worse"
It'll sweep that house away. sure's
| DEATH said Dolan. Run, Paul, for
your life an warn en-
But he can't get there" declared the
man who gave the alarm. The bridges
are gone. and no man on earth can wade
Rapid run tonight
There's only onc thing to be done
then said Paul. iii cut the post and
loose the gates"
You can't do that" said Logan.
There amt man here as dare under
take it, an what the men are afraid of
| you'd better let alone
IF they had a mother and brother
and sisters where mine are, they'd go
quick enough" replied Paul. Il won't
be in any more danger out on the dam
| than they are at home, and it's one to
| four, besides. III try it, and | believe
| can do it and get back all right"
Without needing the discussions of
the men, Paul threw off his coat, took
up 'one of the long-helved and keen,
doubled-bitted axes used in the lumber
woods. and started for the dam.
Hold on there. Paul, hold on said
| Bill Logan. Il don't think | oughter let
| you go out there. Its too dangerous"
| But don't you see" Paul replied,
| quickly I'm going to save my mother
and the children, and if | do that it'll
| be a great gain even if I'm lost. |
| couldn't live and always think of my
mother and Sam and the girls all swept
away without my making effort for
them. No, I'll try it
We'll, Paul, perhaps you're right"
| was Logan'S answer: anyhow | sham
stand in your way no longer. If you
keep cool-an' l know you will-may be
| you can do it
| With this encouragement Paul started
! toward the water, and moment later
he was on the dangerous dam. Slowly
and carefully he walked along the
| heavy beam that spanned the piers I'M
| til he reached a spot where the water
poured over it. making his progress
more difficult and hazardous. He dared
not try to walk through the water, but
sat down astride the beam and cautious
| ly worked his way along until he had
| passed the dangerous place.
When the boy at last reached the post
which held the gates. Tom Dolan
poured more oil on the fire. which
| blazed up brightly and gave Paul all the
| light he needed for the perilous work,
| whice he began at once.
| He could not stand to chop the post,
which he had to cut foot or more be-
| low the beam, but was obliged to WELD
! the heavy axe as he sat. This was no
! light task for an ordinary boy of Paul's
years. but he managed it more easily
than many full-grown man would have
| done.
Strongly and steadily the sharp axe
was vie lded against the solid oaken
post, and rapidly the firm chips fell with
noiSelesS plash into the raging flood.
! From the shore the men watched eager
| ly the sure. swift blows of the flash
| ing axe, and waited, breathlessly, to see
the post fall and the gates fly open.
They had not long to wait. The heavy
pressure of the water assisted the boys
work, and when the post was little more
| than half-cut through the mighty force
| pushing at the gates broke it. With a
| heavy crash the timber fell. the pent-up
water Surged through the open gates,
and the dam was safe.