Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1890-01-15

bridges are all gone now, an if the dam
breaks it'll just sweep things" IS.
Hurriedly snatching some axes, levers
and saws, the men started for the threat
ened and threatening dam. Old Tom
Dolan, more thoughtful than the other
men, took along a lantern, a bag of
pitch-pine knots and can OF oil.
II kapclate," he said to the cook, rs
he started out, that some kind Of q
hghtn come pretty handy, an there
won't nothin' but pitch-pine an kero-
sene make good one in this ERE rain. :"
Toms precaution was wise one, for
when he reached the dam he found the
men standing in the darkness and the
storm, unable to see any thing or do any
thing. BE quickly emptied his bag Of
pine knots on the bank near the turbu-
lent stream, and after pouring two or
three quarts of oil over the wood, light
ed it. A bright blaze that illumined 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 fiercely against its solid
tlmbers 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 food 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
flood the men stood awed and helpless,
as jewellers by the sea might stand to
watch vessel in the rentless grasp of
q tempest. Ali of them felt the hope
lcssn-ess of the situation, and for few
moments no one spoke.
8 oS0S eAASAO 0Aat AO1AAA 1ASt WO
can do" said Bill Logan, the boss of the
camp, ruefully.
''Nothin', unless some man'u cut that
middle post as holds the gates" asserted
ia * Sanders. Its as much as mans
life is worth to do it, an I don't want
the job. give notice O. that
you're right, Jack, ~ assented Logan.
S&1tec fn1Jrh 70 h,,S l~3A
cut that post myself, an what won't
do, can't ask one O my men to try
''How it will sweep things along the
creek" Dolan said. 81 shouldn't like to
live very near Rapid run when the dam
breaks
''Do you think it will be worse than
the big March food?" asked Paul Prince,
the chore-boy, who had listened fearful
~ to the mems predictions.
''Worse; dozen times worse. That
was baby food compared to what this
will be-" answered Phil Kipp.
mo. Rapid run never saw such =
flood afore as it'll see tonight when that
dam breaks" said Logan 'This'u beat
'em alL''
o6AN aU1, L I" ara"
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 emf
''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 oaly one thing to be done
then said Paul 'I'u 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.''
'1f they had a mother and brother
and sisters where mine are, they'd 20
quick enough" replied Paul II won't
be in any more danger out on the dam
than they are at home, and it's one to
four, besides. I'll try it, and l believe
I can do it and get back all right
SAoAAOAS AOOAA4A VIC AAooO0o4OuS u
the men, Paul threw of his coat, took
up 'one of the long-helved and keen,
doubled-bitted axes used in the lum Der
woods, and started for the dam.
''Hold on there, Paul! hold on ~ said
Bill Logan II don't think oughter let
you go out there. It's 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 I
couldn't live and always think OF nv
mother and Sam and the girls all swept
away without my making an effort for
them. No, I'll try it."
'''Well, Paul, perhaps you're right, -
was Logan's answer; anyhow sha'n't
stand in your way no longer. II you
keep cool-an' I 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 spot where the water
poured over it, nmaking his progress
more difficult and hazardous. he dared
not try to walk through the water, but
sat down astride the beam and cautious