The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-30
Dangerously High Water at Kansas
City and Other River
Points.
Twenty Three Feet Above Low
Water Mark and Still Rls-
ing Rapidly.
A New Channel Likely to BE Cut Near st.
Jeseph--Much Damage Has
Resulted.

KANSAS Cry, June 29.-The Missouri
river at this point is at dangerously high
stage. The water is the highest it has been
since the great food of 1881, but still lacks
several feet of that years record. Never
thelsss, much damage has been done and
much more is feared, as the cities above
report higher stage of water than here. At
six O'Clock this evening the water registered
three feet above high water mark. aud
twenty-three feet above standard low wnter
mark. Tho water is rising steadily an inch
an hour, and will probably rise two or three
feet more in the next day or two. Parts of
Harlem, hamlet just across the river, are
already submerged. About twenty-five
families left their homes, taking their
household goods, and are camping on high
ground. All farms along the river are sub
merged and crops ruined
The embankment of the Hannibal q st.
Joseph road approaches the river at right
ANGLE across from this city. This embank-
ment has acted as a sort of levee, and pro-
low it from food. Some fears are ex-
pressed that the embsnkment may not be
able to withstand the pressure. Should 1t
give way much valuable land will be sub
merged, including the track of the Kansas
City Racing association.
In view of this emergency, horses which
have been stabbed there have been removed
to places of safety on this side of the river.
High water has backed MP the waters of the
Kaw, which empties into the Missouri at
this place. Back waters have submerged
much Of the lowlands, and 100 or more
sduatters living there have been obliged to
abandon their homes. Water is also backed
up in the sewers in Kansas City. Kan, and
running out OF the manholes, flooding various
parts of the town.
has risen steadily since Saturday morning.
At noon to-day it was within sixteen inches
of the highest point reached ten years ago,
Residents of French bottom, north of the
city, are in a state of alarm, and many are
preparing to move. If the river should
a new channel will be cut, leaving many
farms on an island and diverting the main
stream from the Kansas shore two miles
west. If the present rise continues twenty
four hours the stock yards and hundred
homes In South st. Joseph will inundated.
The situation is serious to packing inter
ests, as we'll as to hundreds Of small farm
ers on low lands. Burlington tracks on the
river front in the city have been strength
ened by piling and rock to prevent serious
wAShoutE.
A dispatch from Atcnison, Kan, says the
Missouri river is now two feet higher there
than it has been this season. Farms on the
Missouri side were submerged last night.
Wheat fields will be a total loss. Water is
also pouring across Donophon point, a neck
OF land opposite Donophon, Kan. This neck
stood the flood of 1881, when the river was
nine feet higher than now. No fear is en-
tertained that it will cut through this time.
South of east of Atchison, land is falling
into the stream BY the acre.
Leavenworth also reports very high
water. the inundation OF much farm land
and the destruction of crops. No damage
has been done in that city.