Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-05-28
DRIVEN OUT BY FLOODS.
Thousands of Families Homeless in
Sioux City, Iowa
Eleven Lives Reported Lost and Thous-
ands of Cattle Drowned--Miles of
Farm Lands Washed.

ands of Cattle Drowncd--Miles of
Farm Lands Washed.
despatch from Sioux City, Ia, says: A
flood disaster has oyertakeu this city. A
great wave came down The Floyd river. which
flows through the center Of the city, and which
was already swollen bank full. The rise
came a few minutes after seven o'clock A.. NJ.
Warning had been given but a short time be-
fore 10 a few Of the inhabitants Of the low
lands; but to The others the first intimation
was a volume OF water spreading over the
banks to a d"pth Of three feet, and throwing
a mist of foam from it. In q few minutes the
water had risen above the first floors, ami
several thousand lei in terror to the higher
ground.
At least eleven persons were drowned. The
water rose folr feet in one hour and a half
and from nine O'Clock con inued to rise stead.
lily, but not 50 rapidly. So rapid was the rise
oil the tide tia numbers were unable to
escape. AMI The work of rescue engaged the
energy Of the people.
Eleven persons are reported drowned, and
there may be many others.
Al one O'Clock the fire slarm was sounded
10 call out more workers. An the boats from
the lighthouses on the Sioux river had been
brought IN, and nre being used to save life
ana property. The Missouri river is very
nigh, and when the flood in the Floyd river
struck 1t the water damned up aud rushed
over the adjacent low grounds. The stock
yards and packing houses were situated at
the confluence of the two rivers, aud they
were instantly inundated. About two thous-
and head of live gfnqt vrara Foul Man.
numbers OF dead stock have also been seen
Heating down The Floyd river. The whole
RAILROAD yards and switching track district is
under water, and there has been immense
damage 10 the round-houses and railroad
properly. The round houses of Chicago. st.
raul, Minneapolis and Omsha are damaged
10 the extent OF $4,000. The road, the ILL.,
nois Central, and Sioux City aud Northern
enter the city by the Floyd Valley, and all
are stopped. 8
At one o'clock the water had reached TO
Jennings Hotel, on the fourth street. The
Hotel towle and the Boston Investment Com.
pany's building are surrounded With water.
II is estimated that S. 0u0 people have been
driven from their homes. All business is sus.
pended. The Chamber OF Commerce organ.
lzed for relief work. Before noon the ladies'
had several soup and lunch. houses opeaed Tor
tIe food sufferers.
The damage to property will reach a million
ana H-half. The loss OF the Sioux City and
Northern Railroad will exceed 50, 900, 000.
Miles OF cedar paving has been washed out.
Al Springdale, Il suburb, a woman has
stood IN The second story Of a house nine
hours holding her baby out of the water, and
IS still there. Two men have already been
drowned IN the attempt TO rescue her. Houses
are being broken up all the time. There is
neither gas or electric light, both plants being
under water.
1a4a I.r.4aL -. g,.- fTsAu .o..-
This city is practically cut oil fran all com
municatioG with ths outside worldby the high
water, and such Is the confusion within the
city that it is verydificult TO obtain the names
OF the victims OF the food. The estimate on
the loss OF LIE vary greatly-some say 70,
while others place the estimate as high as 100.
Few bodies have been recovered a. yet. and
II is doubtful il many Of the lost will ever be
found.
: The Union Stock-Iarks have been swept
away, and other heavy damage has been done.
The Dies Moines River rose three feet during
the night and is still rising.
The damage to movables is large where the
houses were not foated of. Fifty OF 60 retail
stores on The low ground were destroyed or
badly damaged
Some herUic scenes were witnessed In the
attempts to save the unhappy victims at the
Omaha bridge. Mrs. West and her little 3.
year-o,d girl we're unable to get away from
the Hood IN time. The iather and two chill
dren were safe. and the rescuing party was
returning Tor Mrs. West and her child when
the waves swept the house away. They
tloated down with the roaring current until
the bridge was reached. An engineer sue
eeedcd in saving the woman, but her strength
failed her and she was compelled 10 reliBquish
her hold on the child. With a despairing cry
Of Mammal" the little girl disappeared be-
meath the waves.
At the manufacturing suburb Of Leeds nine
persons are known TO lie drowned. -Four were
drowned at ~Springdale. Observers on the
high bridge counted 10 bodies that swept un-
der in. Matt Roe, M Old sailor, saved y
lives.