The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-05-08
TIE SWOLLEN WATERS.
Levees Broken by the Flood In the Fo
Des Mcines and Skunk Rivers.

Levees Broken by the Flood In the Fox,
Des Moines and Skunk Rivers
KEoKUK, Ia, May THE river floods in
aud around Alexandria. Mo-. are almost q
repetition of the great Inundatlon of 1881.
but it is now believed that so great DIS
aster as that one will not result at the
present time. The unprecedented rains of
the past week have swollen the Fox, Des
Moines and skunk rivers to such an extent
that the Egyptian levees between this place
and Alexandra broke. flooding thousands
of acres of land, mostly in wheat. and doing
much damage. The town of Alexandra is
rapidly being submerged. and people are
getting ready to leave for the
high lands. Stockmen are taking their an
finals to the hills. and it is reported that
the loss of stock IS great. Business in some
lines at alexandra is at q stand-stiil. and
many OF the people 90 about the streets in
boats. There is a great demand for this
means OF locOmotiOn. A view of the floods
most picturesque sight. The river has
turned the lOwlands back of Alexandria
into one great lake upon which can be seen
floating bits of wreckage. logs. driftwood
farm products cannot at this time be esti-
mated. The greatest fears were had for
the extensive levees along the Illinois
shores, which protect the Hunt and Indian
grave drain for great distance. The great
rise Of 1881 did much damage to these
levees. but they have been strengthened.
and it is now thought that the thousands
of acres of wheat lying between Warsaw
and Quincy will not be inundated.
Tonight the river at Warsaw measures
about eighteen feet above high water mark
and the same at Alexandria. The water Is
still pouring over the low lands in and
around Alexandria and q general move
ment TO the hills may ensue. At KeOkuk
the government gauge shows the river TO
be fifteen feet and six-tenths above high
water mark of 1884 and with no immediate
indications of greater rise. The weather
has cleared Off and there are no more indica-
tions of rain. Heavy floods were reported
all along the line of the Toledo. Peoria 81
Western road and @ bad washout necessi-
tates tranefer near Bushnell. Untold
damage has been done to crops and farm
property by the heavy rains.
Damage Near Peoria.
PEORIA, ILL.,, May THE river continues
to rise rapidly and this evening registers
over twenty-one feet. the highest point
reached in nearly half q century. There
are fully five hundred people homeless in
this city and between here and Pekin. The
worst destruction is in the Lamarsh drain
feet of water. 1t continued to pour through
the crevasse In the dyke all night. all the
time increasing the break, which is now
over one Thousand feet in length.
The rescuing party was kept out
all night. and by daylight had account
ed for all the thirty families living in the
district, with a single exception. George
Nichols and family resided at the lower
end of the district, and it Is not known
what has become OF them. Men are still
searching for them. Just below the upper
dyke there is o high embankment which
forms the approach to the Pekin wagon
bridge. This grade. for q time. held the
water back. OF the consequences would
have been much more serious. Men were at
work when the crash came. and quickly
gave the alarm. Most of the residents had
time to get ON the roofs and in trees.
Nearly all the houses III the inundated
region are threatened with destruction.
The drift-wood and debris is piling mp
against them In huge quantities. The
household goods have ell been hoated Off
and the rescued are in bad shape. Small
houses along the river bank In this city
have been carried away and the owners are
occupying tents. The commissioners Of
Lamarsh hold the railroad RESPONSE
bic for the damage. They claim that had
the dyke been constructed of dirt instead
of sand. no trouble would have occurred.