, 1897-04-14

Omaha, Neb.. April 13.-The piline
and boards and bags Of sand, old hay
and stones are being fed to the hun
CRY nav Of the Big Muddy at Omaha
in an effort to restrain the manifest in
tention Of that cratic stream to resume
the channel abandoned 20 years age. Al
nightfall it looked like the effort might
succeed. But all hope is hedged about
with the proviso that the river does moi
rise any higher, that a north wind does
not blow. and most uncertain Of all,
that the break in the bank above Flor
ence lake is not so bad as the overflow
Of water indicates. East Omaha and
North Omaha are flooded by waters that
are rushing from the overfull Missouri
river. Residents are fleeing for their
lives. leaving their possessions behind.
The houses are standing in the flood,
submerged in water from one to five
feet deep. Fields Of grain and fences
disappear beneath the surface Of the wa
ter. and trees no longer show any
trunks.
The flood is pouring in upon the low
lands Of the East Omaha bottoms in a
stream that is estimated to be 1000 feet
in width. 1t is sweeping southeast and
pours into Florence lake. The water
in the lake has broken over the levee
that was built to separate 1t from Cutoff
lake and is now rushing with ever in
creasing volume into the latter. 1t is
sweeping over the plowed and planted
fields. driving residents from their
homes in North Omaha. tearing up
fences and threatening houses that
stand from three to four feet deep in
water. 1t Is pouring into Cutoff lake
just north Of the long bridge which
leads to CORTLAND beach.
In the last IL hours Cutoff lake has
risen almost two feet. II this rate con-
tinUes 1t is anticipated that by morning
the lake will overflow It's southern bank.
II this should occur and the rise be still
maintained the entire southern portion
Of East Omaha would be threatened
with the most disastrous flood, as there
Is MOI the elevation VI land to stem the
.outpeuRing.
The beginning of the flood occurred
several days ago. For weeks past the
river has been rising gradually. Two
days ago the water crept over the top
Of the bank in the bend Of the river
just below Florence. 1t came slowly at
first, but it found easier passage as time
went by. Early yesterday afternoon the
force became resistless. At present the
worst flooded district is located just
north OF North Omaha. At Sherman
venue a braod stream has shot
directly to the south. This stream just
skirts the cas- end Of a little settlement
known as North Omaha. 1t swept a
quarter of q mile further south and there
took within its bosom a dozen cottages.
The Rileys. Petersons, Johnsons,
Schaefers. Knapps, Clarks and several
other families decamped about s o'clock.
The stream then went on further south
a distance of half a mile and struck
another little settlement. The residents
here at 6 o'clock began to move. All
were forced to abandon their houses In
haste, some Of them with only their
n tubf clpthoo n MANY oorrou oooo noe
from drowning are recounted, but &c
far as known, no lives are lost.
Efforts to recover personal effects
from the engulfed houses have been Of
little avail. Forces Of workmen were
hurried out to protect the houses In
the flooded district, and have succeeded
in restraining the spread Of the water
to the west, combining it to the channe
cut from the river to Florence lake, ant
from Florence lake to Cut-On lake. Thi.
has saved most Of north Omaha from
destruction.
Cut-Off lake at nightfall was filling
up rapidly, but could then accommodate
four OF five feet more Of writer. It Il
held back by q strong double dyk'
across It's lower end, and from there OF
to the river the old bed lie crossed b,
paved streets, street car tracks. railroad
tracks, etc, all Of which present en-
bankments from eight to IA feet IL
height, which must be washed out be
tore the Missouri can resume Its aban
doned- bed.
There II much uncertainty, owing t
the extensive property interests inyolv
ed. Should the river complete the cut
Oh It has threatened, East Omaha, will
extensive factory plants. including tn
great Carter White Lead works. viii b
moved into Iowa, and the $S.00O,00
bridge Of the East Omaha Termina
company will be LEFT across = slough
willis the thousands Of dollars expend
Cd By the government in protecting tn
banaks Of the river along the Great BEN
viii hive been WASTED from Cut-Oi
lake.
Down in town the situation il len
seesuss than It was last night. tn
smaat1r oe the Omaha q Grant compan,
b SIN ahovs water. The Thomson
Hcastna N,eetsieal 1ighting plant an
~ W1aSsw 1DEtnU distillsry can stan
. fteeNNnAr I'd. nd IL raiiroa