The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-01
WOMEN FREEZE FEET.
The Women and Children Suf-
fer Intensely From Cold.
Many Miles of Land Are Now
Under Water.

ST. Paul, Dec. Ia Pioneer Press spe-
cial says.
An ice gorge formed at the mouth Of
the Chippewa. which caused the water
to back up rapidly Saturday night and
Sunday morning On the l0wIands be-
low Durand the rise was so rapid that
many families had to flee In their night
robes to places of safety and leave
their all behind them. The suffering
among the women and children was in
tense and many are reported as having
frozen feet and limbs.
Those who could, fed to the railroad
There they built a fire and tried to pro-
tect themselves until relief arrived. An
engine and coach sent out from Durand
yesterday morning gathered up several
of the unfortunates, but SO fast was the
water rising that the train had TO go
back to Durand- The bottoms are all
under water and the stock and produce
are complete loss Dead domestic an
lmaIs can be seen all about the neigh
borhod frozen stiff in the water In
most of the homes We're stored the win
ter supplies, and these were all lost.
Farms and farm buildings along six
miles of the Chippewa Valley are under
water. The flood is being added to
hourly at the rate of six inches, and un-
less the gorge breaks, 80 miles viii be
partly under water. Easements of all
the buildings on Spring street are flood
ed, and in some instances the lower
floors are covered. The people occupy
the city are hastily removing their per
sonal effects to higher ground. In 1894
a similar food occurred causing a loss
of many thousands of dollars. A great
deal Of every kind of property is threat
ened. and many railroad bridges viii
probably be lost. Below the 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
apprehensive, as its danger viii begin
when that Of Chippewa Falls has pass
m. yesterday the water rose six feet,
when there was temporary abate-
ment
The gorge is five miles long. AT Irv-
Inc the Wisconsin Central railway is
under water and the electric light plant
is flooded, 50 that the stown is in dark
ness.
Eau Claire. Wis. Dec. lon account
of the flood there have been no trains
for three days on the Valley division C.
M & St. +. Advices from DuFand re-
port eight miles of track being under
water. Thirty-seven men, women and
children are CHARTERED in the Durand
court house.
Pepin. Wis, Dec 1.-The Hood in the
Chippewa bottoms is increasing in fury.
The Chicago. Milwaukee & ChippeWay
Valley road is badly washed out and is
covered with trees, logs and ice gorges
Tor miles There viii be no traffic for
g week or ten days. The bridge over
Smiths slough one mile below Trevin0
junction. on the Chicago, Burlington &
Northern road, is unsafe. a rock train
and big crew of men are at work on
II. There are log jams and ice in the
river on the bridge. at Reeds landing
and at the head of West Newton slough
above Alma. The water is at a stand
still more trouble is feared unless the
jams break There are three million
feet of logs and 40 cribs of lumber in
the jams. All the hay in the meadows
g lost and considera Bile stock is gone
Five families were rescued from upper
stories and roofs in the flooded districts
yesterday.
Stevens Point, Wis, Dec. THE wa
Ter IN the Wisconsin river at this point
is the highest that it has ever been in
the history Of this city. AT present the
streets for several blocks are flooded
ana last night the people in the flooded
district carried all their goods to upper
stories "A dyke was built a number Of
Years ago for the protection Of large
part ct the residence portion of the city
but this is now in bad condition. and if
the threatened flood comes hundreds Of
families VIII be compelled to seek shell
ter on higher ground