The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-02
ALL ANXIOUS.
The Situation is
Critical
AtChippeWaFallS, Through
Rise in River.
People Removing Goods to
Places of Safety.
All Business Abandoned and City is
In State of Tumult.
All Business Abandoned and City is
In a State of Tumult.
Greatest Danger Lies In a Possible
Change Of the Rivers Course.

MILWAUKEE,, Dec. "A special from
Chippewa Falls says: Confusion reigns
in that city today and the thoroughly
alarmed people are making every effort to
leave as little for the incoming waters to
destroy as they possibly can. Two bun.
dred teams and drays have rushed hither
and thither all day and the streets are
Uttered with various kinds OF mercnan-
ise which spilled over sides and ends Of
overloaded wagons as they were hurried
to places OF safety.
The water remained station ary until
about O'Clock this morning, when it
began to rise rapidly and inside OF four
horrs an additional rise of is inches had
been registered. The river at 10 o'clock
is "A feet nigh and rising. The Spring
street merchants, who had stored their
goods in second floors determined 10
take no chances, and everything was
moved today and by night there will
not be dollars worth OF material re-
naming. Business is abandoned and the
city is in state of tumuIt.
Thousands of people are anxiousiy
awaiting the flood and groups of nifty or
more excitedly discuss the situation on
every corner. Anything Is expected and
nothing may happen. but the greatest
danger lies in a change OF the rivers
course, which would swamp the town.
1his danger is more likely today, for it
Is plainly to be seen tnat the water can
never cut its way under the fifteen miles
OF ice gorge which mas formed in the bed
of the river. Experts believe that the
gorge will soon become anchored tn the
bottom OF the river. In this case The
river must flow out around it. Its ma
tural course in this event lies directly be-
hind the town.
Three thousand pounds OF dynamite
arrived this morning and men have been
working at various points along the river.
The attempt to blow up the gorge has
so far failed TO relieve the situation. All
the buildings on River street today are
flooded to the second story and the forms-
tion OF ice around them is doing serious
damage to the structures. The Central
depot Is under three feet of water and
will be carried away before night. The
depot is in a similar situation
ana the coal sheds near by are wrecked. |
report reached here this morning
that the gorge at Little Falls dam, II |
miles above the city, has broken away,
permitting rush of water upon that
town. II this report is authentic the en-
tire town will be Inundated as soon as
the water reaches here. Manager Irwin
of the 9. l.. Il B. 20. discredits the story.
The report had caused considerable con-
'ternation and there will be no cessation
,f work until It is denied.
Fifty Of the largest business firms have
abandoned their structures entirely and
'very resident has made preparations to
move TO place o. safety in case the
worst occurs. A estimate OF the damage
Ilready done in this city and rich farm
ne country above cannot be made. but
{ is certain that loss OF a million dol
srs has already been caused.