The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1897-04-02
THE RISING WATER.
Situation Is Becoming More Serious as the
Water Comes From the North.

Situation is Becoming More Serious as the
Water Comes From the North.
(From Wednesday's Daily.)
The Milwaukee and Omaha officials
are using every precaution to prevent
the Jim overflow from washing out
their bridges and thus impeding their
traffic. but from the appearance of the
river today they seem to have a
hopeless task before them, and if they
are able to maintain an uninterrupted
traffic service during the present watery
times they will have accomplished q
good deal. The situation, however,
is not very encouraging.
When the Milwaukee passenger ar
rived from the east yesterday afternoon
the crew received orders to return to
Alexandria to remain over night, as
there was some apprehension that the
river might rise suddenly during the
night and the officials evidently wanted
to have two trains on the east side OF
the river. During the night the river
fell one inch but by noon it had in.
creased three inches, with the indica.
tions strong for higher water. AT ll:2s
today special train, with Conductor
OlesOn in charge. wuo sent oyer tc
Alexandria to t. ansport the baggage
mail, express and passengers. A re-
port WAS in circulation that the water
was flowing over the Milwaukee bridge
but this was erroneous as the specia
train went over in perfect safety.
REPUBLICAN reporter accompanied the
traiu W Alexandria and had gool
opportunity to view the situation OF
the river bottom. The water cover
the entire distance from the bridge t,
the bluffs at least quarter of a mill
west, on each side. On the south side o
the track are two farm houses whicl
are in danger OF being submerged, tn
water approaching to within ten fee
of them. East of the bridge the waite
spreads in every direction. Roadmas
ter Gregory thinks that the creates
danger lies in the approaches west Q
the bridge being carried away. /
breakwater has been laid below th
track TO prevent the grade from bein
washed away, and the water will hav
to raise at least two feet before
covers the track. Reports from th
north part of the state are to the effec
that the Milwaukee road is submerge
in several places.
The passenger train which left her
yesterday afternoon only went as fa
as Woonsocket, where it remained owe
night and returned here this morning
Between Wolsey and Tulare it WE
stated that the road was under wate
and that it was unsafe to run the train
The Omaha people are having equa
ly as much trouble with their bridg'
Supt. Spencer, with the bridge maj
arrived on a special train late yesterda
afternoon and today they were usin
every means at their command to forth
the bridge and its approaches from
possible washout. 1t is believed tn,
the next day or two will determir
whether the bridges will be able
withstand the on-howing tide Of tt
jim. In event the bridge does go o.
the Milwaukee people have made a
rangements to use ferry across tt
river for their passengers, mail ar
express.
The east passenger train came ov'
the Jim river bridge at 4:35 this afte
noon and was Immediately sent back
Alexandria. Supt. Cosgrave came
with his special car to make au i
spection of the bridge. He stated tn
in his opinoin the approach to Il
bridge would not be able to withstal
the water through the night and
very likely would be undermined.
stated that the river had risen sew
inches since one o'clock and was st
rising. The train west was abandon'
and the north train will only go
Woonsocket tonight.