Omaha daily bee., 1897-04-16

the force OF the current continues that some
OF these will be swept from their founda-
lions.
The rise in Cut on lake brought the water
UP to the bottom Of the CORTLAND beach
bridge and that wooden structure is now con
sidered to be unsafe. The current from tho
stream Of the flood parallel with Sherman
avenue Is sweeping directly under the west
end Of 1t and the approach to the structure
was yesterday being washed away. The
Board OF Public Works yesterday dumped
a lot OF bags OF sand and other material
along the approach in the hope Of staying
the damage. Despite these efforts, however,
It was determined that the bridge was un-
safe for travel and a fence was built some
feet from the end across the road to stop the
traffic.
BRIDGE REPORTED DANGEROUS.
II was reported last night that In places
the water wae breaking over the bridge and
that the structure was In a shaky condition.
II the rise Of the lake continues it is
only a question OF a short time when the
wind and the current will carry the bridge
away from its foundations. If this should
happen there is every probability that another
island will be formed on East Omaha. be
tween the two arms of Cut on lake. This
will take in CORTLAND beach and what is
known as Potter & Georges addition, upon
which there are some fifty houses.
Wednesday afternoon the water in the west
ern arm of Cut on lake licked over the east
ern shore and began to creep upon the low
lands. IL found a slough at n point where
Henderson street would be If 1t were cut
through upon the island. Last night this
slough had extended to a point directly
south of the pavilion at CORTLAND beach, a
distance of over half a mile, and was in
some places fully five feet in depth. 1t Is
gradually cutting of all approach TO Court
land beach from the south. If the Court
land beach bridge should be swept away, the
III lad rn,,fI 10 .NrttlH hn fDl n cd
only by boats.
Yesterday the overflow from the lake
began to creep UP to the houses that are
located in Potter & Georges addition ms
Is located at the east end of the bridge ana
south OF the road. AS the water continued
to rise many Of the residents decided to
move and before noon fully twenty mad
vacated. Among those who departed were
the families Of the following: l.. founEs,
Dinns, Ed STEINER, Charles Sorenson, c. II.
Nelson, Kreuger, Baumeister, Robert Brown,
Billy Nightingale, NJ. Sorensen, M. Jurgen-
sen, Andrew Christensen, Woolrich, kost-
witch, Terry, Moleski. John Oldwater. Others
of tho inhabitants Of the addition are walt
Ing only for a greater rise in the water to
remove. It seems likely that the entire
addition will ne deserted.
MOVED AWAY IN TIME.
The removals were not effected too soon.
Yesterday the CORTLAND beach bridge was
considered III safe for the heavy wagons that
were nanlInS away lIt furniture VI Aut Htt-
ing families. The roads leading to the south
were followed but before noon the wagons
were being driven through five feet of water
In the overflow.
The southern shore OF Cut off lake between
the two arms is also being overlooked. Court
land beach is being gradually flooded. The
water extends up to the fence IN many places
from the west end Of the bridge to the east
ern end of the beach grounds. The water
IS up to the railing in the pavilion that Is
ntIt n fhn 1nkn attin Nr
around the big pavilion that stands
on the shore. The big switchback is being
surrounded. The entire plot that was
occupied by animals Is a lake of water and
tho elk tina. are still there are finding only
a bare standing place. The situation was
considered so critical that the managers of
tho place yesterday removed all the
property from the lower to the upper floors
of the building.
Tho eastern shore of the lake is being
overlooked to such an extent that the road
leading along it to the north is impossible.
The Ice houses OF the Arctic Ice company,
which are located at the northeastern bend
of the lake, are surrounded with water two
feet In depth. 1t has reached the floors of
the structures. A stream has broken from
this end of the lake eastward and is running
through a low ravine back to the river.
Tho condition of this eastern arm of the
lake is furnishing considerable alarm to the
occupants of the houses in the village of
East Omaha. Before the danger arrives.
however, the lake must rise nearly two feet.
1t will then overflow the entire eastern shore.
If this should happen the water would flow
east toward the river and through the viii
lage, as the ground slopes downward from
this shore of the lake to the river. 1t Is
believed that the factories in the southeast
ern part of the island would not be placed In
danger from this, as the water would be held
back by two strong bikes on Locust street
and on another highway.
PEOPLE R UNEASY.
The people who reside and own buildings
on the north shore of Cut Of lake and be-
tween that body and Florence lake are In a
state Of considerable suspense and uncer-
tainty. They fear much that the dam on
the southern shore of Florence lake may not
be able to stand the strain that has been
brought to bear upon 1t. If this should be
broken, a mighty volume of water would
tear from Florence into Cut Off lake.
For two days past this levee has been
strengthened in every manner possible. Still
moro work was being done upon it yester-
day. 1t Is raised about a foot and a half
above the present surface of the water. The
dam Is in as good condition as possible. and
would be able to hold back the big amount
of dead water behind it. But it is feared
that a north wind may play havoc
with it. The sheet of water was in a very
turbulent condition yesterday. The wind
drove it against the levee with great force,
sending big waves clear over into the road.
No weak spot in the levee has yet been
found, but the whols dam is being carefully
watched.
The stream OF water that has run between
Florence lake and the ice houses on the
north shore of Courtland lake is still running
with the back water from Florence lake.
1t is several feet In depth and has covered
almost the entire district. 1t extends to
within a few feet of the ice houses, which
are again separated from the waters OF Cut
on lake by only a few feet of water.
The southern part of the western arm of
Cut ON lake Is also creating considerable
anxiety. This is a part of the old channel
OF the river. There are a couple of bikes