Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-03-13
WATER RUNS WILD
With the Aid of Ice 1t Plays
Great Havoc.
MICHIGAN STREAMS ATFLOOD TIDE.

The Grand and other Rivers Spread
Themselves Around Promiscuously and
Make 1t Very Damp at Iona and Grand
Rapids = Bridges Go Down with the
Flood Accompanied by Thousands of
Lngs-The People Turn Out to Dam the
Waters and Do 1t DISQUALIFICATION
Damages, Life Lost.
IONA, Mich, March 13-Never before in
the history of Ionia has Grand river been
so high as at the present time, and the
water is still rising. The warm weather OF
the last few days has caused the heavy
masses of ice and snow in the Grand, Shla-
wassa, Raisin, Clinton and many other OF
the smaller rivers throughout the state to
move. Innumerable gorges have formed
in these rivers and have caused the water
to back up, flooding the cities and towns
lying on their banks. Several bridges have
been washed away, houses, stores, mills
and other buildings flooded and other
damage done, the exact amount of which
is not yet known. At this place hundreds
of men were at work with teams all Satur-
day night and yesterday trying to prevent
the floods crossing the street road. a great
line of breastworks has been thrown up all
along the road and every suspicious rivulet
has so far been successfully checked.
Warned of Imminent Danger.
At 4 o'clock yesterday morning general
alarm was turned in-warning that the
danger point had been reached-and great
crowds of men floci.ed to the scene to do
what they could to protect the flooded
property. The Capital Wagon works
plaEt is entirely surrounded by the flood,
the basement and lower floors being inun-
dated. The furniture factory's plant is in
almost as bad shape, and all that can be
| seen of the fair grounds is the upper por-
tiop of the buildings Most of Ionia's
manufacturing concerns are located on
what is known as the "f1ats," which have
heretofore been considered safe ground.
| The bed of the river lies a least half mile
away, but the whole country for miles is
| now but raging. rushing torrent.
Trying to Save the Bridges
The bridges at that point are all in place,
| but are in great danger. The bridges on
| the Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee
road are in imminent danger. Yesterday
morning men were engaged to weight
them down, and tons of sand bags were
piled on them. Trains on the Detroit,
Lansing and Northern are in confusion.
The trestle at Portland gave way Saturday
night and passengers must be carted
| arouno the washout and loaded on other
trains. There is no ice in the river now to
speak of, but the current carries large
trees and debris of every description kown
with terrific force and whatever is in its
| course must go.
Kept at Work All Night.
A force of men was kept at work all
last night and every effort made to keep
the waters under control few hours long
er when it was hoped the greatest danger
would be averted. The water rose here in
less than thirty-six hours, something never
before known for Grand river 1t is reported
thas the lower Milwaukee railroad bridge
is in danger The water is undermining
the piers, and it is now feared the bridge
| will 20. A freight train which attempted
to cross was obliged to back off and the
bridge is condemned,