Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-21
GREAT FLOOD SWEEPS
WESTERN COUNTRY
Mississippi River Is Fiend-
ish MaeIStrom in
Which rIuch Prop
erty Is Damaged

KEOKUK. Ia. July 1s.-The flood condi-
kions OF yesterday were much worse to-
day and the Mississippi river is from two
90 ten miles wide for = miles below Koe-
kuk and Is rising rapidly. The flood IS
reaching far outlying farms hitherto
missed. and farmers IN the lowlands on
the Missouri side have lost everything
but their citadels on high knobs and a
few fields behind the highest levees.
Damage "a also occurring on the Illinois
side between here and Quincy, where
there are many thousand acres OF the riv-
erside levees and where the levees them
selves are not entirely efficient, the wa
Ter is working through at the site OF
the food gates
The Lima ard Hunt levees opposite
Canton. No.. the most dangerous places.
and which protect many square miles OF
corn IN Illinois. are constantly pat
rolled and hopes are entertained that they
may possibly hold
The greatest damage is on the Missouri
side OF the Mississippi river. between Keo-
Hulk and Hannibal. territory covering 800
square miles and on which the corn was
estimated az 50 bushels 20 the acre a few
days ago.
Hundreds OF farmers are tenants who
lost crops by last years drouth IN the
United States lands and moved TO the low
lands this year. They are now penniless
and are hunting work IN towns and cities.
Reports today are that IN the territory
Indicated. the loss win be over four mil
lion dollars mostly TO corn land In splen-
oid condition previously.
The damage done along the Mississippi
river Is greater than was expected or at
nrEt reported. one township in this cOun-
~, Green Bay, Is six or seven feet under
water. u contains more than II. coo acres
OF crops. Families there were driven out
hurrie6Iy and some cattle were drowned.
-
country last week The levee eight miles
north OF Burlington broke inundating
three square miles that had been consid-
cred safe.
The Skunk river. the most damaging
tributary Of the Mississippi Is roaring
down with food approached only twice
IN the history OF the state, 1851 and 1Ss1.
The water topped the record OF 1Ss2 and
touched the highest record OF ISL This
river rises IN the center OF Iowa and
empties into the Mississippi. . miles
north OF KeOkuk. and greatly increases
the food at points below.
IN the interior iowa towns on the Des
Moines and Skunk rivers We're surprised
BY the rapid rise and there is much excite
ment- Il was believed that the recession
OF the food 81 the first three days OF the
week removed al danger and people re-
turned 20 ordinary conditions The sur
prise entafling a lack OF preparation.
G14~ENA AAANNM AllEE4~E4 4AAll0EE.
vile. Ottumwa. and Coppock are among
the heaviest losers from this cause
Railroads in Iowa viii be put 20 great
expense IN the maintsinance OF tracks and
the safety Of trains. The Burlington and
Rock Island systems are closely patrolled
by watchmen at all bridges and cuiverts.
No damage has occurred 20 them on &C
count OF the systematic prevention, but
this has been done at great cost.
The supervisors OF Lee. Des Moines.
Washington. Henry. Jefferson. Wapello
and Van Buren, counties have men at
work trying 20 save wagon road bridges.
many OF which have already gone out.
Losses from this cause win be very con-
siderable.
Thousands OF acres are submerged In
Appanoose county, Iowa, and there IS
much small grain caught in the fields.
The crop In other places Is chiefly corn.
"A new element, which has appeared all
over the drowned section Of Iowa, Is dis
ease among stock from the conditions OF
pastures overlooked slightly and used
after the temporary subsistence OF the
waters.