The Oskaloosa herald., 1892-05-26
THE STORMS WORK.
Parts of the State Del =
uged, and Great Havoc
Results.
Greatest Floods in Forty Years.
SERIOUS DAMAGE TO PROPERLY AND
LIFE.


LIFE.
The storm has been general through
out the state during the week, and re-
ports from various sections show that
disaster has been at work to an extent
unknown for many years if not In the
history Of Iowa.
AT SIOUX CITY
the weeks downpour eliminated on
the 18th in an unusal fall Of rain which
converted the already swollen streams
into life and property destroying tor
rents, such as had never before been
seen in northwest Iowa. The Floyd
valley is a mile wide in places, and five
through the city. The manufacturing
and railroad districts of the city were
thickly dotted with homes, and are now
a scene of desolation. The river COM
menced to rise about s o'clock and be-
fore noon was thirty feet deep In the
channel. The current was very swift,
for it empties into the Missouri river
in the city, and soon fences, lumber,
sidewalks and houses were being swept
away. There are probably 700 families
In the valley, the maj )rity living in
small houses, and as there was no
warning the most they could do was to
save themselves and leave their pos
essions. Rescuing corps were organ
lied by citizens and the homeless
promptly cared for.
HUNDREDS, OF HOUSES
were swept away. Over half mile
Of paving on one street was destroyed.
All the railroad yards. machine shops,
warehouses, lumber yards, stove works,
foundries, shoe factories, gas works
and retail business houses were sub
merged. One of the leading hotels was
surrounned and all depots are inacces-
sible. The cable line is stopped, and
the elevated railroad is the only means
of approaching the suburbs. The stock
yards were carried away with 1000
head of stock. All packing houses are
flooded and four bridges are carried
away. Not a railroad. train can reach
the city. In the afternoon fire in the
q 1oded district added to the horrors.
The total loss in the city is estimated
at from $l,5O0.OO0 to 100000. 1t is
now known that ten to twenty persons
were drowned, and the pumber may
reach fifty. But few bodies have been
recovered.
A later dispatch from Sioux City
says the damage will reach S1.500.0OO.
The loss to the Sioux City s. Northern
is 100000. The scenes along the edge
of the waters are pitiful. The loss of
life will be very large, although it Is
difficult in the confusion to learn the
names. At Springdale woman stood
in the second story of house 300 yards
out, holding a baby above the waters,
and was still there at 8 tonight. Two
men have already been drowned in Sn
attempt to rescue her. The gale OF
winds has added much to the misfor-
tunes of the city. Houses are
being broken up all the time, and there
is neither gas light nor electric light
both plants being under water.
AT oTTUMwA
the rains have sent the Des Moines
river highe- than it has ever been since
the fl rods of 1851. Wednesday morning
the water rushed into the water works
plant and electric light plant, and rem
dered it imperative. The city is thus
left in darkness and the elevated dis
tricts without fire protection, as the
hill pressure is cut off. The levee on
new addition of 200 acres broke earl!
in the morning, and the water has beer
rushing through it at the depth of thre'
to ten feet. The inhabitants have beer
removed TO the higher ground on tn
north side. A good portion on the sOutl
side, and also between the railroad
tracks and river is under water, ant
cellars never known to have water II
before are filled with five feet Of water
The south approach to the bridge 1
slowly washing away and another foo
rise will wash 1t out completely. Their
has been no loss of life. .although"Dutc
, John, "a local character of wide reputa
tion, would have drowned but for To
intervention of the deputy sheriff, VIII
rescued him as his cabin was fiOatin
Q down stream. The railroads have SUI
: fered.considerably and trains have bee
3 practically suspended. Merchants haS
r been compelled to remove from bas
!, ments, and as Eddyville, Ft. Dodg
: Des Moines and other points north n
y port big rise, fears are entertaint
= for these in the lower localities or WI
d have not yet removed. The countl
+ is in nearly as bad condition as the cit
,. Many farmers have lost much stock
4 miring in the mud.
$ AT FIT. DODGE
if the Des Moines river rose seven fe
y during Tuesday night; and mornil
D, found it a raging torrent. This RI
of was the most rapid ever seen here. T
4. river is now at dangerous height a
el still slowly rising. Duck Island Is 81