The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-06-15
BIG FLOOD AT ROCKFORD
a TORRENT OF RAIN swELLs ALL
THE CRERKs.

Hundreds of Families Homeless in
the Lower Part of the City-The
Loss at Least $5oo.ooo-An the
Bridges Swept Away-scores of
Weeping Women.
ROCKFORD, ILL, June 14.-At least
100000 worth of property was destroyed
In this city and vicinity last night. Never
since 1857, when the waters rose and over
whelmed nearly all the city of Rockford,
has such a disastrous food visited this
section as that Of last evening. For three
hours the rain fell in torrents, vivid
lightning played, and following each flash
came peals of thunder. The storm COM
menced at s o'clock, and in surprisingly
short time every street was turbulent
river.
SWEEPING THROUGH THE VALLEYS.
The creeks swelled and in moment de-
vastating floods were sweeping through
Kent and Keith creek valleys. Each
creek drains an immense area of territory,
and from every side came contributions to
the waters until the creeks had become de-
structive torrents The banks of the
creeks were powerless to confne the
IudA WabCt1, auQ ohOJ 5pICtlQ OfcI buo
low lands, filling cellars and
creeping up into the first stories of resi-
dences, driving the occupants Of the houses
from their beds. While the fire depart
ment and police were working in Wood
ruff's addition it was perceived that the
people living around Kent's creek were in
distress. A boat was loaded into a patrol
wagon and was soon at the waters edge.
AN AWFUL SCENE.
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 miniature Johns
stown food, and somewhat similar in many
respects. Before the people were fully
aware Of it water came rushing dow n the
creek and crept into their homes,
driving families out into the
darkness and rain. The mayors party
did some valiant work in taking people
from their homes. All the lower parts Of
the city were flooded and hundreds of peo-
pie rendered homeless. The spectacle this
morning presented scene of desolation and
ruin. The wreck of the Milwaukee road
presents the worst appearance. For nearly
half mile the 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 circle. All the railway
companies suffer heavily, and every bridge
ONOl AOho cbAA0 LAS4bA CACCha Wcto bnNPb
away.
KENTUoKY's DELUGE.
LOUISVILLE, KY, June 14-A special
from Maysyille, KY, to the Courier
journal says: "All day long people for ten
miles around have been coming and going
to see the Chesapeake and Ohio rail-
road wreck and the storm DAM
ages at Bull creek, near Mays
vile. This creek empties into
above Maysville. The clouds broke near
James Irwin's portable saw-mill, half
mile above the railroads stone culvert, and
hurled mill and logs against the culvert,
sweeping it away. Right in the track of
this torrent stood Widow Hesley's log cabin,
which vas lifted up and carried along with
1t. She and her two daughters were
drowned.
"The turnpike bridges from Bull Creek to
Burtonville are nearly all washed away.
The loss in buildings, bridges, fences, crops
and live stock cannot be estimated. The
railroad damage is put at 100000. The
bodies of Engineer Roadcap and Fireman
Hanaker were found in the cab of
their engine in the wreck last
night. Engineer Roadcap was
on the seat, with one hand grasping the
throttle and bis other on the lever. Fireman
Hanaker's left arm was clasped around
Engineer Roadcap's shoulders, and his head
was hanging out of the cab window. His
remains were shipped home to-day. The
body of Eaton, the brakeman, has not been
reached yet, and the wreck cannot be
cleared away before Monday, as it is full of
broken timber, shoes, salt, canned goods,
groceries and whiskies. Two young fellows
are in jail tonight for stealing from the
wreck"
JOLIET DELUGKD.
JOLIET, ILL, June 14.-The heaviest and
most damaging rain ever known here fell
steadily all last night in torrents, commenc-
ing with delugiDg waterspout, which
completely inundated the northern, eastern
and southern portions Of the city. This
morning people in the southern portion of
the city moved out in boats. Outhouses
are floating around and men and boys are
sailing about on RATS and on boats.
An old widow living near Hickory
: creek was rescued just as her house was
carried away. 1t lodged on the Second
avenue bridge, where it was dashed to
pieces. and its furniture and everything
was carried away. Several railroad bridges
on various roads running through here are
washed out and trains are delayed.
THE STORM GENERAL.
CHICAGO. June 14.-A special to the
Euening Journal from Madison, Wis,
says: "A terrific storm ragged throughout
the southwestern part of Wisconsin and the
northern portion of Illinois last night, and
perfect deluge of water fell. Washouts
occurred on the Illinois Central railroad
near Dodgeville, Wis, several miles of track
being washed away. Large washouts are
also reported on the ST. Paul railroad near
Mineral Point, Wis"