The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-05-25
Big WESTERN FLOODS.
Rains and High Water Spread
Ruin in Many States.
Farmers Are Appalled, by the Re-
markable Weather.

Floods, waterspouts, cloudbursts, hurri'
canes, and fierce thunder and lightning kept
a good portion of Illinois in a turmoil fol
nearly a week. Every stream in the State
was swollen, or out Of its banks, and scores
of towns were cellar-deep in water. The
rainfall was unprecedented. For four days
aud four nights the water came in sheets,
accompanied by the most deafening thunder
and vivid lightning. ,',.
Railroads were washed out, buildings
moved from their foundations, and cattle
drowned by the hundreds. Even in Chicago
the water rose to q great depth on the
prairie land, carrying away sidewalks and
destroying roads.
The greatest damage was reported from
the cities along the Illinois kiver; seas OF
water swept over Ottawa, Marseilles, Peru,
La Sale and Utica. Boats were used for
communication, and their twinkling lights
glisteninp over the unbroken expanse OF
water added to the appearance OF ruin which
was all around them.
AS the waters rose at Ottawa, ILL.,, build
ing after building would close down and'the
employees leave to await the subsiding Of
the food. Mnrseilles, La Sale, and Peru
were in an even more desperate condition.
At La Sale, ILL.,, the manufactures, the
water WOrk6, SGr0eG railway auu oAoSsA ~
light plants were under water. :.
The saue condition prevailed at Peru, and
in both cities all business was practically
suspended.
At Lacon, ILL.,, all traffic was suspended.
Bridges have been swept away, and trains
stopped running on the Rock Island, be-
tween Peoria and Bureau. The bottom
lands were submerged. and no corn will be
raised on thousands Of acres.
The great marsh dixie, fifteen miles long
and protecting strip OF bottom Land about
two miles wide, gave way at point Opposite
Pekin, III. The crevasse was about 900 feet
wide, and increased rapidly, as the Illinois
River reached stage not exceeded
since 1874. From the southern portion OF
Illinois reports come Of tremendous damage
and a continuance of storms OF rain and
wind.
The Mississippi River at Burlington, Iowa,
was FIVE miles wide, having overhowed the
lowlands Much damage to crops will re.
suit Trains on the st. Louis, Keokuk and
Northwestern were abandoned on account OF
food at Alexandria, Mo. The entire town
was under water from two to six feet, and
all communication through the streets was
by boats or RATS.
At Kansas City conditions were similar to
those Of 1881, when q most disastrous flood
did 80 much damage in that part or the
country. The wet weather so long con-
tinued has caused the wheat to rot in the
ground, and it is reported by the farmers
that the crop will be almost totally ruined.
The heaviest rain for years fell at Okla.
homa. East OF Orlando there was cloud
burst, causing streams to rise six feet in few
minutes and drowning many cattle. At
Oklahoma City the lower part OF the city was
flooded and much damage done. Near Still
water three houses and many barns were
destroyed by wind. John Crockett was IA
tally injured, and some stock was killed.
Throughout the northwestern tier Of coun-
ties in Nebraska a sheet Of snow sixteen
inches deep covered the ground. At Rush
vile and Morton it was even worse. In
other portions OF the State the snow was not
quite so deep. Farmers are appalled,.