The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-01-02
THE SUFFER- FLOOD.
Farmer Carroll Describes it as a Most
Disastrous One.
Fears That Nicolaus VIII be Wholly
Cut on From Navigation-Not q
Merry Christmas.

Eds. RECoRD-UNIoN: The great food OF
Christmas Day will not soon be forgotten
by the people here. On Saturday tele-
gram from Oroville informed US that the
water there was one foot higher than ever
before. Some of us knew the full mean
ing of what was on the way, so on Sun
day every person, old and young, was
called out on the levee with shovels,
sacks and anything required to repair
levees. And, sure enough. the water
came, and it is no exaggeration to say
that 1t surpassed anything ever before
witnessed in the line of flood.
All hands fought the destructive ele-
ment bravely and held it in check until
it overtopped the levee, about half-past 7
in the evening, when it had to be aban-
doned. Then a regular panic set in.
Nearly every body made for the town or
other places of safety. The bell of the
Catholic Church sent out peels of solemn
warning, so both man and beast knew
alike that it was the time of danger. Then
followed the neighing Of horses on the
pastures, the lowing of cattle, the crow
ing OF chickens and the barking of dogs,
and 1t seemed like some evil spirit had
settled on the doomed locality. Next
could be heard the crash of floating
fences, and there were not many sound
sleepers that awful night. Everybody
was moving furniture upstairs. and
anything movable, to get it to place of
safety.
Morning came at last, and when
looked out from my upper story what a
sight met my eyes Where were
lovely green fields day before was now
a fearful spectacle. 1t was water every
where.
The flood is now fast receding, and peo-
pie are asking one another if there is a
remedy in sight, or any hope for the
future. The break is about 600 feet long,
at the head of District No. 2, above
town, but if it were only the filling
back of the break, that could be easily
done, but not at present; but it means
the building of as much more levee, and
the land can't stand it, as there is at pres
ent tax of Il per cent, and as high as 81
per cent. has been paid, and that to save
navigation, as well as the land.
The question is. must this strip of land
be eaten up by taxes TO save navigation,
or must the higher land outside the
district contribute, 50 that they may
have the benefit of cheap transportation?
The river regulates freights better than
any commission or any Legislature can.
This question must be considered, and
that right away, for Nlcolaus is the only
this part of the county. About 5000 tons
of wheat is sent from here, saying nothing
OF other products
1t is possible plan may be deutschland
brought before the Legislature that will
solve this part of the difficulty, and let
us hope they find time to give it their
attention ana not waste the time in dis
cussing the Traffic Associations schemes,
which have nothing to recommend them,
They, themselves, must know it, for l
think they are no fools, and it is only a
misunderstanding movement which means
more than forcing rates by legislation. So
let us hope that the country mem bers will
give it no countenance, but proceed TO
the confederation of other and more i'm
portant measures.
The rivers, if we can keep them open,
Will regulate the traffic best, and they be-
long to the people, and anyone can use
them.
AS to getting particulars of losses by
the flood, we have not as yet been able to
get any, but they must be great. especially
on the west side of the river, as that
whole side of Suffer County was under
water, and we hear of some very heavy
losses. n. d. Rideout lost 200 head Of
cattle. Communication is not yet open,
and until then there can be nothing re-
liable ascertained. l will give the differ
ence in the high water mark at Nicolaus,
as I got it from Mr. Drescher, who is
good authority, as he has lived there for
forty-four years: 1852 and 1862, the same;
December %, 1892, seven feet higher. This
flood has a very depressing effect upon
land values, and certainly it would be a
bad place to start boom just now.
P. CARROLL.
Nicolaus, Dec. 3d. 1892.