The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-05-16
WATERS RUIN.
Walls of Water Sweep Down
the Valleys
Of the Black and Chippewa
Rivers in Wisconsin.
AWAY DAMS
And Wrecking Mills, Stores
and Dwellings.
All Railroad Traffic Brought to
q StandStill.

MILWAUKEE, May 16.-A special 10
the Evening Wisconsin from River Falls,
Wis, says a destructive flood is sweep
ing down Black river valley. A large
number of dams, mills, iron bridges and
other property have been destroyed.
A special from Chippewa Falls. also
report great destruction to property in
the Chippewa river valley. All railways
report washouts and no trains from the
north or west will reach Milwaukee I'M
til this evening.
the wall of water sweeping down
Black river valley struck River Falls at
10 o'clock this morning. The fire alarm
was rung and the people hurried from
their homes to tre aid of those living in
the lower parts of the city in the path of
the flood.
The dam of the Prairie mill checked
the rush of water for few minutes but
the walls of wood and stone could not
withstand the pressure and the dam gave
way. Two big bridges were swept from
their fastenings and were carried away
on the torrent. Several small buildings
followed.
Mealey's starch factory was tory from
its foundation and went down stream.
Another large bridge went next; Fosters
saw mill was in the path of the tide and
that suffered $4,000 damage.
The damage to the Prairie mill is $2,-
O0J, and at Fortunes mill it is $4,000.
Railway lines suffered severely from
washouts. All the families on the low
lands were rescued
AT Bloomer in the Chippewa valley,
several dwellings, large planning mill,
the city pumping house and the fire
engine house are gone.
Big Black River Dam Gone.
The immense dam across Black river
near Black River Falls was in danger and
the west wing was blown down to save
the remainder of the structure. Ibis
sent great Hood down the valley on
Black River Falls.
The mill district of Glenwood is
scene of wreck and ruin. The big dam
and sluice way of the Glenwood Manu-
featuring company were carried away
and several hundred thousand feet of
logs were carried away. Every bridge
on the entire length of Tiffany creek
is gone. Many dwellings in the lower
part of the village are under water. The
Wisconsin Central Chicago train is cut
off by washouts, and is in the woods
about mile and a half from town.
At Chippewa Falls and north toward
Bloomer, the valley is under water.
A 10-foot rise is promised at Eau Claire,
where the water is now very high, be-
fore 10 o'clock light. This will cause
heavy losses to mill owners and others.
Advices at the railway offices in Mil
waukee report washouts on all the roads
are arriving today from St Paul and
Minneapolis on any line.
All RaiIro ad Travel stopped.
Every railroad between Milwaukee and
ST. Paul has been badly tied up since
last night. Washouts exist the Mil
waukee & st. Paul, Chicago & North
western, and the Wisconsin Central to
great extent, the complete extent of
which could not be learned by officials
here up to noon today, owing to the fact
that the telegraphic wires were down, or
very badly crippled.
The damage on the Wisconsin Central
is serious for miles in extent from Chip
pewa Falls west, and all trains for st.
Paul or from there were tied up. Trains
are running on fair time b7tween
Ashland and Milwaukee and Chicago,
however. Reports received by General
Manager Whitcomb stated that the storm
was the severest ever known in that sec
ton and the damage more extensive
than ever before. Little real news as to
the extent of the washouts could be
gained this morning, owing to the de-
mor2lized condition of the wires.