Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-26
lis LIKE J0HNST0WN
THE SAFE" DAM BURSTS AND FLOODS The
CITY.
The Old, Old StOry-Ths Disastrous Flood that
Rushed Upon CcrdOba-"lt Was Always Going
10 be Msnded'-Iow Natives Tried
10 Exercise the Stream.

that 'canal" at Cordoba had burst lts
banks, flooding the city, destroying hun
dreds of houses and resulting in the
death of a hundred people.
The information was so meagre that
a reporter was sent TO interview gen
tleman lately returned from Cordoba
after a stay OF several years in that
city, and who gave the following infor-
nation
The disaster must have been caused
by the bursting of large dam some
thirteen miles from the city. The rela-
tion of Cordoba TO this dique, like the
Inflated Johnstown, is peculiarly adapt
ed for the calsmity that in
all probability has visited
the collegiate city of South America.
The danger has long been understood
by the most Intelligent foreigners resid-
ing there and futile attempts have been
made from time to time to attract the
attention of the authorities to the peril,
but all to 10 purpose. That curse OF all
Spanish countries, procrasti-
nation-the mamma, as they call it
has interposed, and, true to their habit
of never doing to-day what they can
put off until tomorrow, resulted in the
matter being left in abeyance. Now, as
a result, the fairest city of the Argen-
tine, the seat of learning, the site of in
Vulnerable ecclesiastical edifices, is in
mourning.
DESCRIPTION OF CORDOBA.
Cordoba is a city OF some siXty-five
thousand inhabitants, in population the
second in the Republic, although
Rosario is pushing it very strongly and
already has double the trade. The city
vas founded by priests in the fifteenth
century and they selected one of the
worst situations possible, an unusual
thing with the Catholics of the carly
period Leading from an outlying
range of the Andes, Il feeble experiment
before bursting into lofty peaks and
deSolate crags, is long tortuous
ravine or gulch, widening here and
there into capacous pockets, in one of
which the wandering Jesuit planted
the first seeds Of Cordoba.
An engineer would have seen at a
glance that freshets from the mountains
must follow the course OF this channel
in fact, not having any other outlet.
Innumerablc streams race from the ele-
waited heights and unite to form med
ium sized river, called in Spanish the
Rio Primero, or first river. 1t is one OF
five coursing through the upper parts
OF the Republic, and, during the dry
season, never extends beyond its banks.
When the surrounding country became
settled small farmers located in the
pockets mentioned above and dug hun
dreds of irrigating bitches, for, be it
understood, the province of Cordoba is
unusually barren and sterile, requiring
large quantities Of water and careful at
tention to raise even the poor crops Of
beans and corn produced.
4 native engineer, exploring the
ncighhOring mountains at the head
waters of the river, conceived the idea
of building dam across a narrow gut
through which the Ric Primero flowed
while yet an unambitious streamlet.
| by so doing, he argued, large lake
could be formed, which would supply
water in Il abundance for irrigating pur-
poses Getting the consent of the local
government and an appropriation, he
constructed the dixie after his own
primitive and impractcable ideas.
During the following rainy season the
lake soon formed, and the young engi-
neer compacently received the con-
gratulationS of his friends.
ANOTHER JoHNsTowN.
The place became a pleasure resort
for the elite OF the city and boat clubs
were organized to take advantage of the
only decent body OF water within hun
1YedS os miles. The arrival ot the first
skifT from Buenos Ayres was the occa-
sion for an enthusiastic celebration,
the boat being met at the first out
side railway station by delegation OF
prominent citizens who draped the Hat
ear with galy colored flags and accom-
panied 1t TO the city, where they were
met by an admiring multitude, many oi
whom now gazed on their first specimen
of marine architecture
Before long, however, rumors became
rife among the foreign residents thai
the dam was hastily constructed and un-
safe, having been erected by persons tc
whom the power of water was an un'
known quantity. An instinct of self
preservation caused party of Ameri'
cans employed Oh the railway to call
the attention of the Governor, Don Mar
Gus Jaurez, brother of the cX-President
of that ilk, to the fact, they picturing
in glowing terms the constant menace
TO the city and the terrible effect OF Il
breakage of the dixie.
n tnl
listened to their perorations of elo-
quencc with pleasant SMILE and bowed
them out with promise that the mat
ter would receive his personal attention
tomorrow (Mauana). The interview
was published in an evening paper, an
official organ, by the way, which stated
that figuratively speaking, 1t was all
in their eye, and arose only from pro-
fessional jealousy on the part OF the
"gringos"-i. C., strangers. Everything
remained at standstill, the promised
inspection did not come of and the dam
still stood-to its duty with an imper-
turbable face, unmarried by warning
seam or significant crack.
In due course of time the foreign
community was startled and horriiied by
the dreadful tidingS OF the Johnstowr
disaster. The vivid descriptions pub
lished by the Herald was read and re-
read. and when explanatory maps ap-
peared showing the relative position of
the dam TO the city, then did the warn
ing come home and even the ianguid
officials OF Cordova acknowledged that
II the Dque San Carlos did burst it
would possibly wet the city; but, alas.
nothing was done save whitewashing
the dixie and putting up large bronze
plate giving the date of construction.
Some Of the most timid foreigners
moved TO small town on the bluffs, re-
marking that those who wanted to be
washed to the foot of the Throne on
dirty Argentine water could do so, but
they preferred another kind OF transpor-
tation.
AN INDIAN CEREMONIAL.
A curious and amusing incident con-
nected with the subject now occurred.
In the immense shops OF the Central
Northern Railway are employed num-
Der of Indians only one remove from the
original aborigines and who retain the
old superstitions of their most supcrsti-
tious race. OF course, being in daily
contact with the foreigners, they soon
learned of the fear prevalent. .as to the
condition OF the dam, and it speedily be-
came an exciting topic of discussion
among the residents Of the poor quar-
ters, part of the city lying close to
the river and on the side toward the
dixie. II soon became apparent that
something unusual was occurring in
Pueblo Oscuro, and one Of the most in
telligent Of the natives was seduced by
a big bottle of gin into stating that on