Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-05-23
MILLS AND BRIDGES GONE.
Immense Damage to Property in
Chippewa and Black River
Valleys.

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis, May 16.-An
immense wall of water swept down the
Chippewa River last night, carrying
destruction to property for miles along
the valley. Mills, dams, bridges, booms
and logs, dwellings and outbuildings
were swept down toward the Mississippi
pi on the turbulent tide. A rainstorm
that approached cloud-burst in vio-
lence and volume of waterfall, oc-
| Cured towards the head waters of the
main stream and its tributaries, the
storm in lesser severity extending
over the whole of Western Wiscon-
sin. Dam after dam was carried
away, and ruin marks the Chip
pewa Valley its entire length.
The flood loss in the Chippewa Valley
alone is estimated at $250,OOO. AT
Bloomer the dam, saw MILL planning
mill, bridges, houses and 100000 feet OF
reported lost.
In Chippewa Falls damage was done to
the extent of $4,000 to streets, bridges
and railway property. The city suffers
the loss of five bridges, cutting off traf-
ticon the Omaha road, and the loss
of the gas works. Bridgewater
Avenue, River and Lower Bridge
and Spring streets are flooded, together
with buildings on the streets. The
Chippewa Logging and Boom Com
pany's office building, barn and mill
are afoat, also the American House
Box & Squire, LANCE Bros, S. F. Mar.
tin, T.. Hodge, Good Luck Company
| post-6ffice and Panier wagon works; also
the Wooden MILL Sash and Door Com
pany and many small buildings and
residences situated on the creek. Al
Chippewa City, six miles north Of
barns, lumber yards and in
fact almost the whole city are
completely washed out, together with
100000 feet of logs. Chippews
River is ten feet above low water mark,
but the worst has not come yet, as re-
ports are that Little Falls dam and
Flamb eau dam have given away, which
if true, will raise the river fifteen fee
more, completely flooding the bushes.
part of the city.
The storm struck this city at about 6
o'clock last evening. For a few hours
the rain fell in torrents. The streets
were like small rivers, and the
sewers were unable to carry of
Easements in the lower part of the
city commenced to be filed with water
About o'clock telegram was received
from Bloomer stating that the dam
on Duncan Creek at that place had gone
out. Immediately the mayor collected
a force of men and made arrangements
to secure the several bridges on the
creek in this city, knowing that there
would be danger when the water
reached here. About o'clock this
morning the flood struck the
city and the stream Immediately
rose twelve feet, taking out
the five bridges on the creek and trestle
of the Wisconsin Central Railway,
which crosses it. The large brick barn
of DR.. G. A. Hayes was undermined
and toppled into the stream, as did also
part Of Siegrist's restaurant. Several
small buildings along the stream
were also taken out and the River Street
pavement was afiOat for several blocks,
| A telegram later from Bloomer stated
that the planning mill there had gone out,
| together with large quantity of lum.
! Der. News was also received early this
| forenoon that the saw mill, dam, lumber
and the whole winters cut of logs be.
! longing to F. @. & C.. A. Stanley, al
! Chippewa City, had gone out, entailine
loss of probably $4,000
There is some lear that the Chippewa
River will be higher. The water il
| Duncan Creek was almost up TO the
| high water mark of 1884, the highesl
ever known. LANCE Bros had flour
candy, etc., to the amount of about
| $500 destroyed in their basement. The
| loss in the city will be close upon $50.
| 900, as near as can be estimated at pres
emit
RIVER FALLS, Wis, May t6.-The Sc.
yerest rainstorm ever known in this
hn oi+yr 10 of 1Iph
| Sharp flashes of lightning with heavy
claps OF thunder followed in quick sue,
cession. There being evident danger
at o'clock the fire alarm YVES sounded
! but no help could be given and
in less than two hours D washoul
occurred at the west end Of the
| Prairie Mill dam. A few miBBtes later
two iron bridges and several buildings
were washed away. The damage is
very heavy. Scarcely vestitre remains
of the abutment of eithey bridge.
road badly washed out and trains are
tied up. Much apprehension was felt
for the families living near the river,
| but all were rescued after some diff
Guilty. The city lost three bridges. The
loss is estimated at about $4,000
Mealy's starch factory, Sc, O00r Fosters
saw mill, $1,000; Prairie Ni8l, $1,000;
| George Fortune, $4,000. 1t Is impossi
bic at present to estimate the total loss
as the reports have not come in, but
enough has been reported to make the
damage exceed 200.
BLooAER, Wis, May 18l-A heavy
rain set in here about s. o'clock las
evening, filling Duncan Creek and over
flowing the dam. The planning mill
several dwelling houses and pump ano
hose house have all gone down the
creek. Some of the families are still in
the houses and no help cam be gotten t.
them. The water appears to be rising
still.
BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis, May 49,
The heavy rains that have prevailed
throughout this section of the country
for the past forty eight hours have
caused the highest water in Black Rive.
for years. Advices from the Dells SAY
the west wing of the immense dam wal
bowed early this morning in order &c
save the main portion of the structure
The break is now 800 feet wide, an6
the water is still on the rise. The
freshet will no doubt do thousands O