Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1902-07-10
CAUGHT IN FLOOD.
Botna River and Davids and Ander-
son Creeks Overflow and Play
Havoc With Property and
Crops on Low Land.

Havoc With Property and
Crops on Low Land.
For the past two weeks it has
rained nearly every day and some
times two or three good showers
would fall in day, but owing to
the spring being very dry the
amount of rainfall did not make the
ground noticeably wet; but Tues.
day evening there came downpour
for about thirty minutes that, owing
to the ground being full of water,
fairly flooded everything. By the
time the rain ceased falling every
little rill and stream was full to
OVERLOOKING and in five minutes
after or while the rain was yet fall
ing lightly Anderson creek that
courses along and though the south
part of town was beyond it's
banks. The water came down in
large waves sweeping with it all
sorts of debris, tearing down fences
and doing other damage. Several
people deserted their homes that
were surrounded with water, but
not high enough to run in and do
any damage, except at the home of
Mrs. McClain, at the foot of Car
thage street. who with her children
were compelled to vacate the place,
the water raising as high as the
windows. Crowds of people soon
gathered to watch the raging
stream that being only about three
miles long soon commenced to fall
as rapidly as it had risen. J. p. Lair,
while saving some chickens, was
unable to get out until the water
was three feet deep about him.
| Mort Marietta found himself waist
deep in water trying to save his
stock, but had good hog wash
ed away. George Johnson had to
move his horses and while tying
his piano wagon to a tree was com
PEELED to wade in water up to his
shoulders; and others had like ex-
periences.
The scene in West Extra was more
exciting and more dangerous and
destructive. David's creek, that
comes in on the north west side of
town and separates the main part
OF town from West Extra and receiv-
es Anderson creek that comes
through the south part of town,
was tull to overlooking and quite
number of houses were surrounded
or cut off from any avenue of escape
with water from one to four feet
deep. Strong men and willing
workers were plenty so that all who
felt in any danger were moved to
places of safety. We cannot de-
| scribe the scene of the broad ex-
panse of water just at sunset and
the people fleeing for refuge. Car
riages, wagons and conveyances
were provided for many, but the
water was sweeping across the
graded road that leads to the depot
and children were carried on the
shoulders of the rescuers while
women waded out in many cases,
and in some events mothers could
be seen wading carrying their
babies in their arms. The following
families moved to places of safety:
Samuel d. Harm, George Dimick,
Nels Johnson, Joe Hall, George E.
Smith, Joe Chase, Bud Carmen,
William Leckband, Frank Letting
well, Henry Heath, Chris lessen. In
some cases horses were turned
loose, cattle and hogs turned out,
but the water was not deep enough
to cause the loss of much stock, ex-
cept poultry of all kinds and occa-
S1Onally hOg.
i By Wednesday morning the Bot
ma river was raging, the water be-
ing on either side of the depot, ele-
vators, mill and buildings along
the track. Conveyances were able
to get to the depot for the morning
train by going through water for
two hundred and fifty yards and in
from two to four feet deep. The
train arrived about thirty minutes
late, but before reaching Hamlin
4 had to reverse the engine and re-
turn, owing to the unsafe condition
of the track.
About noon the train made the
second attempt and found the track
safe and made the trip to Audubon
In safety. The morning train
brought no mail but the evening
run was made as usual without any
apparent danger.
4 During Wednesday Tom Allen,
Joe Chase. Geo. Chase and Vic
Gearheart made number of trips
to West Town with loads of people
in order that they might get an
idea of the sights. Quite number
OF pictures were taken of the flood
ed districts and doubtless some
good views will be obtained.
ABOUT TWO O'CLOCK Wednesday the
water commenced to recede and
feeling of relief that the worst was
over prevailed.
j, This morning. Thursday, pre-
sents different scene. The river
and all it's tributaries that empty
here, are within their banks, the
sun shines bright and everything
is drying rapidly.
The water entered only one house
in West Extra, that of Geo. Smith
where the carpets and things on
the floor are ruined. During the
past twenty-four hours he kept