Evening journal., 1896-12-01
ICE GORGE AND FLOOD.
Terrible Suffsring Experienced
In the Chippewa Valley.
SEVERAL LIVES REPORTED LOST.
Live stock Frozen to Death In the River.
The City OF Eau Claire In Danger OF In-
Effects of the Blizzard In
North Dakota.

EAU CLAIRE, Wis, Dec. An ico
gorge formed at the mouth of the ChipIe-
wa river, which caused the water to back
up rapidly Sunday morning On the low
lands below Durand the rise was so rapid
that many families had to flee I'm their
nigh;rOhes TO places of safety and leave all
their possessions behind them The suffer
ing among the women and children was
Intense, and many are reported as having
frozen feet and limbs. Those who could,
iled Co the railroad track. There they
built fire and tried to protect themselves
from the frosty winds until relief arrived.
An engine and car sent out from Durnnd
yesterday gathered up about 10 or 30 Of
these unfortunate people, but so fast was
the water rising that the train had to 90
back TO Durand. 1t is thought that some
of the people were not reached by the res
cuing party and have perished. The hot
toms are ali under water and the stock
and produce are complete loss. Dead
domestic animals can be seen about the
neighborhood frozen stiff in the water
In most of the homes were stored the win
ter supplies, and these were lost.
Farms and farm buildings along six
miles of the Chippewa valley are under
water The food is being added to hourly
at the rate Of six inches, and unless the
gorge breaks soon this city will be inun-
dated Easements of all buildings on
Spring street are already flooded, and in
several instances the lower floors are under
water. People living in or occupying busi-
ness houses in the lower part Of the city
are hastily removing their personal effects
to higher ground.
In 1894 a similar flood occurred, caus-
ing n loss Of many thousands Of dollars.
A great amount of railway property is
threatened,and many highway and railway
bridges probably will be swept away.
Eau Claire In Danger.
Below the immense gorge the river is
Practically dry, and when the jam breaks
the body of water in the reservoir must
carry destruction TO the valley below. Eau
Claire has every reason to feel apprehen-
sive, as its danger begins when that of
Chippewa Falls has passed. There had
been an average rise during the past "a
hours Of six inches an hour The gorge is
five miles long.
On account of the flood there have been
no trains for three days on the valley di-
vision Of the Chicago, Milwaukee and st.
Paul. A messenger from Durand reports
eight miles of track below Durand as be-
ing under three feet Of water Thirty
seven men, women and children, refugees
from lowlands, are quartered in the Du-
rand courthouse
A dispatch from Pepin, Wis, says: The
flood in the Chippewa bottoms is increas-
ing in fury. The Chicago Milwaukee and
I Chippewa Valley road is badly washed out
and is covered with trees, logs and ice
/ gorges for miles. There win be no traffic
for week or ten days. The bridge ovei
Smiths slough, one mile below Trevin'
Junction, on the Chicago, Burlington an,
Northern railroad, is unsafe. A rock trail
and big crew of men are at work ON it
There are jams Of ice and logs in the Chip
pown at Burlington bridge, at Chippcwt
Valley bridge, at Reads Landing and ai
the head of West Newton slough abov,
Alma, Tho water is at "A standstill. but
le 'is feared unless the jaml
10 lEforea,e B, 600 600 feet of logs anC
ilnn % of lumber in the jams. All the
WIZ o meadows is lost and considerable
-, ggG1e. MANY persons are believed
'"n perished in the food.