Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-22
FLOODS IN MISSOURI.
storm Injuries Five Persons-DwclI-
fngs Destroyed-gnIns Continue.

ST LOUIS. MO. May 2i.-The rain
which has fallen almost steadily through
out Missouri since last Sunday continues
to-day. and the greatest anxiety Is felt
for the safety OF people living along the
bottom lands Of the Missouri Gasconade,
and Usage rivers. At Ellon. No, a tor
nadO and rain-storm Tuesday night caused
great damage. The Congregational and
Methodist Episcopal churches were re-
duccd TO kindling-W0od. and the spre Of
the Christian church was blown OF. The
dwelling houses Of Mr.. }. II. Swan,
Samuel Brickey. and Rev. David McComb
are totally destroyed All the telephone
and telegraph wires are down. and COM
municatiou from outside is entirely cut
or. The track OF the Lebanon Branch OF
the Missouri Pacific railroad Is washed
so that there will be no train or mail for
three or four days The following were
injured at Eldon.
Mrs. Rhcda Cross; leg broken and in
jured internally; not expected 90 live.
Mrs. j. II. Swan. not expected 90 live.
Miss Louisa Swan; very seriously In
jured.
Miss Hattie swan: very badly bruised:
is now demental from fright.
Mr. Davis. who was ln the Swan build
ing. Injured very badly.
II is estimated that the damage TO
property IN Eldon alone is 5000, and
at Ch.noe the same tornado blew down
half a dozen dwellings. but fortunately
no one was seriously injured.
AZ Versailles yesterday the rain fell IN
torrents. and was accompanied by q high
wind. Dir. James Anthony. a well-kuown
citizen, was drowned while attempting TO
ford a small creek on horseback
Mrs. J. d. Earhardt. living a few miles
east Of Versailles. died from fright at
the storm.
I'm the western and southern portions
OF the state highway bridges are washed
away by the dozen. Nearly every stream
is flowing over, and as the rain IS sull
falling, the situation is growing alarming.
Along the Mississippi river, from Burling-
ton 10 Cairo preparations are being made
for the annual rise. At ST. Louis, the
river has reached the 25-fOot mark-having
risen FIVE feet In the past twenty-four
hours. The S0-fOOt danger-line is ex-
pected TO be reached by tomorrow night.
II it continues at this rate for several
days, the big food Of 1893 viii be outdoue.
DELUGE AT ST. LOUIS.
ST. LOUIS, NO, May IA climax
was reached in the local storm at g
o'clock tonight. The clouds. that had
dropped occasional showers all day. ceu-
tered over the city, and a deluge of rain
and hail fen. The hail-stones were un-
usually large. and considerable damage
resulted. The river continues 10 rise rap
idly.
At S o'clock the water touched the 80
foot mark-a rise of feet since morning
and it is advancing The government
weather service sent ont warnings TO
property-OWuers along tho river-front
and tonight hundreds Of men are at
work removing the lumber and other en-
dansered merchandise TO places OF safety.
Every vessel in the harbor has steam
up. II now seems assured that the dis
astrous floods of former years viii be
riy1lled.
Alton. H.. wires at O'Clock tonight:
- ver.tabie deiuge Of rain is sweeping
over this city and the country south TO-
night. Every stream is pouring great
floods into tine already swollen Msslssip-
pi. and disastrous flood seems certain.