The record-union., 1892-05-19
Enormous Destruction to Life and
Property in Iowa.
SIOUX CITY ALMOST COMPLETELY
INUNDATED.
Eight Thousand People Forced to
Leave Their Homes to Seek safety
on Higher Grounds = Sixty-Three
People Reported to Have Been
Drowned, and a Million and Half
of Property Destroyed.
Special to the REcoRD-UNrox.

|
morning a great wave came down the
Floyd River, which flows through the
center of the city. The water spread over
the banks to a depth of three feet, and in
few moments had risen above the first
floors, and several thousand people fled
in terror to higher grounds. Warming
was given but a short time before the
food came, and only few of those in the
lowlands received intimation. The water
rose four feet in an hour and a half. and
continued to rise rapidly. Probably one
thousand people live on the lowlands
which are overfiowed. The rise was so
rapid that number were unable to es-
cape, and the work of rescue was busily
carried on.
AT Il o'clock eleven persons were re-
ported drowned, and there must be many
others. The only names obtainable so
far are Nellie West, Mrs. Louise Bonner
and two children.
All the boats from the lighthouses on
the Sioux River are being used to save
life and property. The stockyards and
packing are situated at the con-
tluence of the Mission and Floyd Rivers,
and they were inundated. About
1000 head of livestock were drowned.
Many carcaSSes are also floating down
the Floyd. The railroad yards and
switching track district is under water.
The roundhouse and railroad property is
considerably damaged. The roundhouse
of the Chicago, st. Paul, Minneapolis and
Omaha is damaged to an extent of $4O.0 600.
Trains lett Sioux City to-day. The Hotel
Fowle and Boston Investment Com
pany's building are surrounded by
water. The union depot was cut off at
8 o'clock.
1t is estimated 5000 people were driven
from their homes. All business is sus-
pended. The Chamber Of Commerce or
ganlZed relief work this morning, and by
noon the ladies had soup and lunch
houses open for the sufferers. The loss is
large, but as yet II is impossible to esti-
mate it.
a later dispatch says the damage will
reach million and half. The loss to
the Sioux City and Northern is 100000.
The scenes along the edge of the water
was pitiful. The loss of life will be very
large, although it is difficult in the con-
fusion to learn the names.
At Springdale a woman stood in the
second story of her house, 900 yards out,
holding baby up over the waters, and
she was still there at O'clock tonight.
Two men have already been drowned in
attempting to rescue her.
gale of wind added greatly to the
misfortunes of the city, houses being
broken up all the time, and there is
neither gaslight nor electric light, both
plants being under water.
ST. LOUIS, May IS.-The river is still
rising, and. the danger and damage is
augmentlng, though to-day no marked
accidents were noticed. From above and
below come stories Of addition to the area
overlooked. Two unknown men were
drowned at Alton by the capsizing of
skill to-day. The Alton Water Works
will soon have to shut down, as will
practically all manufacturing establish
mentS there. The town is also cut off
from railroad connection with st. Louis,
and mails are sent by boat.
The damage in the American bottoms is
almost Uncomfortable. In Monroe County
alone not less than $4,000 acres OF cult
waited lands are ruined for the season at
least, entailing loss Of not less than
million dollars. Many residences are in
danger. Water surrounds the homes and
the people are dependent upon such help
as is sent them. Nearly all the homes
are abandoned, however, and thieves are
taking advantage Of the opportunities.
In East st. Louis the water is higher
and still rising.
1t was reported to-day that r. r.
Cham berlain, wife and two children were
drowned near Cahokia Ill. The lumber
companies in North ST. Louis have been
compelled to cease business. with a few
exceptions. The Farmers Elevator Com
pany's building is in thirteen feet of water.
and operations are suspended. The river
is encroaching upon the banks, washing
away large sections, and neceSSitaring
hard work to prevent serious conse-
quences. In this vicinity hundreds of
poor people living i'll the low lands were
compelled to move. Along the levee in
front of the city the Mississippi is work
ing its way higher into the first floors of
buildings, and all business is transacted
by boats to the second floors. Boats
are still able to take in cargoes,
but if the raise continues business
will be suspended pending the fall.
In South st. Louis frame houses and
other light material We're tossed about by
the rising water. The Missouri Pacifics
southern yards are in serious danger, and
all manufactures at the south end are
shut down.
sIXTY-THREE LIVES LOST.
FORT DODGE Ua.), May 1S.-The rain
last night caused heavy damage in
this vicinity. Word just received from
Sioux City reports the loss of sixty-three
lives by the bursting of a reservoir there.
The dispatch also said the damage to
property in the Floyd and Little Sioux
Valleys is immense. besides the prospect
of loss of lite being great.
The damage done here will reach into
the thousands. The Illinois Central,
Minneapolis and st. Louis, and Mason
City and Fort Dodge roads lost heavily
by washouts and slides. The water
works were threatened, and with the coal
mines flooded a famine of the two COM
modities is feared. The weather is clear
ing tonight, but the river is still on the
rise. If 1t continues great distress and
destruction will follow.
METHODIST CONFERENCE.
Result of tho for. Gaxya,-oI