St. Paul daily globe., 1893-05-02
MUST SWIM OR SINK.
Discouraging Alternatives
Confront Settlers on Low
lands in the City.
Ho uses Flooded, and the 0c-
cupants Pull for the Shore
in Haste.
The Pathetic and the Ludi-
erous Exemplified in the
Submerged District.
A Globe Envoy Tours the
Temporary Oceans OF Mud
Laden Water.

Up the far-off regions of the sky a
few days since, while the clouds were
basking in the sunlight and obScuring
the rays of the sun from mortal gaze as
they toyed with the golden beams and
exhibited theiI prismatie colors, little
rain-drop nestled close to the side OF
her brother and said:
"When descend to the earth will
do good. l will fall at the roots of some
wthered rose-bush and let the faded
flower drink in my moisture, or 1 will
fall on board some boat, far out in the
ocean, and give coolness to the parched
lips of the suffering, shipwrecked sail
orS."
''Ha hap said the brother. THAT is
not life. | will join with some of the
stronger members of my race, and we
will combine our forces to cause the
waters Of the great Mississippi to boil
and surge, to roar in ca taracts over the
land and rush out into the sea, where
we will toss the big ships up and down
and reVel in our strength"
The little raindrop sighed sadly, and
in soft words reproached her brother
for his awful threats. But he needed
iIer not, and as she was concluding her
reproaches he suddenly left her side and
started for the earth. Millions of his
companions Joined with him, and the
sound of their voices filled the heavens
as they tumultuOusly darted for the
regions below.
How we'll they kept their word is
palpable to the vision Of every one who
has looked at the Father Of Waters with
in the past few days. They have com
bined their forces until the banks of the
great river were unable to hold them,
and the current now extends across
fields and meadows, over streets and
plains until houses have been
Submerged and Swept Away.
Yesterday afternoon a reporter for
the GLOBE, accompanied by the mer-
cural and athletic distributor of mes
sages and collector of pa ckages from
the interurban cars and trains, better
known in the Office as Jim" made a
tour of the submerged portion of the
West side flats for the purpose of dis
covering the damage which has been
caused by the food.
After traverSing acres of IN uddy flats
jumping miniature streams caused by
the breaks of the slender dykes along
the river bank, and securing wet feet,
MCManuS' boat house was reached, only
to discover that the structure, which is
constructed on fiat boat, was partially
submerged and no one was about the
premises. On the shore short distance
above the boat house man was en-
gagged in hauling logs out of the water,
to save them for fnel. tie volunteered
the information that The water had
driven the occupants of the house away
for the second time this season. He
acted as guide. and Mr.. McManus was
prevailed upon to supply the GLOBE
man with boat.
Navigation OIL the river is compara-
lively safe Tor the larger steamers, but
the row boats are not productive of
sense of security. The current runs
with the force of mill-race, and im-
bedded III the banks and the bed of the
river are scraggy logs and portions of I'M
menSe trees which rear out of the
muddy water in menacing attitudes.
The little clinker- built boat darted
through the water under the influence
of "Jim's" muscular arms with the
speed of a railroad train, and great
care was necessary to keep clear of OBJ
Structons. Along the bank were sta
toned men armed With long pike poles
TO catch stray logs and pieces of drift
wood, while heavy boats labored with
the current on the way up stream with
RATS of driftwood in tow. About 1.000
yards down the river from the stal ting
point there was
A Break in the Bank,
and through this opening the water
rushed in, madly endeavoring to fill all
of the lOwland with its seething current
The little boat was quickly put about,
the oars were piled with renewed vigor,
and the tiny craft swerves into the little
channel with a rush. For some dis
tauce all was clear sailing, but when
sharp curve was reached, where the cur.
rent ran between a barnyard and
chicken coop, the boat grounded on a
portion of the dividing fence. The cur
rent wldened at this place and became
more shallow, SO that it was impossible
to force the loaded boat through.
"Shure an yen have ter walk a bit
tit tn wather becomes deeper" said
red-faced man wearing pair of long
rubber boots, who was reScuiug some
chickens from the submerged coop.
Hi there, Jinmy, go an help th' gin
tlemin wild th' boat"
A ruddy-cheeked little fellow hast
ened to wade out to the boat and as
sisted in hauling it near the shore, max
ing it possible, with a desperate jump,
to reach dry land. The boat was then
dragged down the current until deeper
water Was reached, and the GLOBE man
boarded her again. The current was
followed for about quarter of mile,
through back yards and over fences to-
wards the lake" where the water coY-
cred the surface of the meadow to dis
tancH Of about mile in width. Houses
stood here and there in the water, some
with their windows barely reaching
into view. Barrels and boxes jostled
each other in the current IN friendly
way. and loose planks and boards
bobbed up and down III the water.
Views OF Life and Death.
On little island OF about ten square
rods of surface a horse contentedly
grazed, and Oh the limb of a tree a
rooster marshaled half dozen of his
wives. In the water tloated the bodies
of drowned chickens, cats and dogs and
other animals. In a little cove where
there was a group of trees pile of
boxes had become jammed, and as the
GLOBE boat passed them there was the
sound of whining. An inspection of the
place showed a cracker box partially
filled with old rags and on these re-
cliped three little puppies. Their little
black noses quiyered with the cold, and
they seemed glad to see their rescuers.
They were taken to land, where they
were received into the family of a good
natured man who said his name was
KosIOfSky. He was engaged i'll piling
his goods and chattels into an express
wagon. The water had already sub
merged the greater portion of his barn
and chicken coop, and he thought it
would be advisable to move out before
the house was filled with mud and
wafer