The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-09
REJECT AID.
Fargo Needs
No Charity.
A REPLY TO ALGER,
Refusing to Accept Any POr-
tiOn of the Government
Appropriation.
CRITICAL AT GRAND FORKS
James River Breaking Records
at Huron The Big Muddy
Falling at Mandan.

Special 70 the Globe.
FARGO, N. D., April S.-The waters
are receding and the danger point is
passed in one of the greatest floods
ever known in this city Now comes
the replenishing of the flood sufferers.
Hundreds Of people are destitute and
relief committees are doing all in their
power for the sufferers. Secretary Of
War Alger today wired Mayor Johnson.
Of this city, asking what amount was
needed for immediate relief. Mayor
Johnson wired back that So 900 would
be needed at once. Later, however, in
Difference to the diversity of opinion
among citizens, the mayor called a
mass meeting for tonight at which the
subject was discussed. The meeting
was an enthusiastic one, and great in
dignation was felt among those pres
ent regarding the exaggerated reports
sent out regarding the floods. A mo-
ton was unanimously passed that it
was the sense of the meeting that
Mayor Johnson wire Secretary of War
Alger that no subsistence is needed.
The telegram was as follows:
Hon. r. A. Alger, Secretary of War. Wash
ngton, ID. c.: Fargo is very grateful for
offered assistance Water subsiding fast
our people are not in need of subsistence
leAoeTeu Damage greatly exaggerated
j. A. Johnson, Mayor.
Senator Hansbrough and Congress
men Johnson and Roach were wired to
the same effect. The people of Fargo
believe that the flood is caused large
ly from unnatural sources, rather than
natural. CulvertS on the railroads have
1een enlarged, and no sooner was this
dcne than the water commenced to re-
cede, and at present writing the high
water has gone down several feet.
Residents of the South side are try
lpg to find out where they stand. So
many homes are entirely ruined that
there is a general feeling of despon-
dency among people of that section. a
number of residents of the Fourth ward
VIII bring suits against the Northern
Pacific Railroad company for damages
from the dam at the Northern Pacific
crossing of the big coulee. The com
pany had in only 44-inch cuIvert.
which was entirely inadequate
Fargo people who have friends in
Grand Forks and other towns between
here and the Canadian line are advis-
ing them to seek higher land. Some
Grand Forks families will come to
Fargo until the flood abates down river.
The relief committee is doing noble
work, and there is little change since
yesterday, except the welcome change
OF the slowly receding water.
Special to the Globe
GRAND FORKS, N. D., April s.
This afternoon and tonight has shown
all interested here that a flood of i'm
mense proportions was inevitable The
cid settlers and people who could tell
just how high the water was going
have left, and every indication tonight
points towards a record breaker in the
water mark of the Northwest From
neon to midnight the water has come
up steadily one and one-haIf inches an
hour, and there are no indications of
a drop in that speed. There is much
danger of both the Northern Pacific
and city bridges going out. Yester-
day all day, sand sacks were piled high
on the ice piers Of each bridge but it
seemed to have but little effect on the
running ice, and each piece that came
along and struck, was sufficient to sway
the bridges several inches. All hopes
have been given up Of saving the bridge
at Minnesota point across the Red river.
and it is looked after only as a precau-
ton to protect the bridges below The
Northern Pacific and Great Northern
and Demers avenue had at early morn
ing a force Of men at work blasting
the gorge of ice that has formed there.
GENTLY to make the night one of little
care, the firsst in several days. The
water, however, still goes up and the
first great damage that the city has
sustained was when 1t reached the end
Of South Third street. tearing up paw
ing even after timbers, sewer pipe and
threshing engines had been placed on
top as a weight. Nearly a block went
at that point, and Demers came next
The street is flooded and cedar blocks
float like fish corks on top of the waves
1t has not piled UP yet, and the expect
ed fall may save the street. In East
Grand Forks water is running across
the street almost it's full length, the
best saloons and business houses be-
ing from a foot to three feet in water
Graham, the clothier, was the heaviest
loser, and his stock was placed in safe
ty at the last moment possible. Both
railroad bridges are in danger and are
turned tonight in order to allow float
ing debris chance to pass. If the rise
continues until morning at the same
rate Third street will be covered and
the greatest damage to merchants will
result then The gas works, so far
have been able to supply consumers
and hope to continue, but three feet
more will shut down the water works
and gas will soon follow Reports from
Caledonia and Belmont are that the
water is falling, and it is good news
for the people here. Red lake has given
out little water yet, and the ice is still
sclid. If it should break up within
the next day or two, it would give the
valley the worst flood imaginable In
early times a steam boat landed at the
corner of Third and Kittson, and a
foot and a half more will give it the
same chance. Capt. Hayes, of the gov
ernment boat, was ordered today to
prepare for a trip for the relief of suf-
fereIs, with ten days provisions aboa d.
Along the river there has been much
suffering, and 1t is supposed that Col
jones is to take an early trip along
the river to look after the needy people
and to have an eye out for those who
are entitled to a share of the 5000, 900
appropriated.
FORMAN. N. D., April s.-All set
tiers along the Wild Rice river bottoms
have been compelled to abandon their
homes, and three bridges have been
already swept away by the floods The