Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-05
CITY UNDER WATER;
WORST FLOOD
I'm YEARS
JOLIET, ILL.,, IN GRASP OF WORST
FLOOD IN ITS HIsToRY-SEV-
ERAL LIVES ARE REPORTED
TO BE LOST.

JOLIET, Ill, June 3.--Joliet is in the
grasp of the worst flood in its history.
All the lower portion of the city is UNI
der water and II is rumored that several
lives have been lost.
The police have names of Eddie McGov-
ern, Lizzie Mclean and little girl named
Kennedy, drowned.
Several families had narrow escapes and
the police rescued many in boats.
Several houses and other buildings were
swept away in the floods. Jefferson and
other principal streets are under water
and business places are flooded, causing
thousands of dollars Of damage. The
street car lines are all severely damaged
and no cars are running. All trains are
stalled water being two feet deep over the
railroad tracks Severe washouts have
occurred on the electric lines between
here and Chicago. Heavy rains which
continued all night caused Hickory ana
Spring creeks to burst their banks and 1t
is rumored that Hickory creek dam east
of this city has partially collapsed, send
ing the flood waters down in a torrent.
Scores of homes have from one to three
feet of water in the first stories
Mayor Barr has called special meet
ing of the city council for this afternoon
to take measures for the relief Of the
sufferers Many of the people were
driven out of their homes by the flood.
The damage was more widespread than at
first supposed.
The estimated property damage reaches
$75, 900 to 500. 00O Factories and stores all
over the city are flooded. Many streets
are ruined the pavements being all
washed away and hundreds of small build
lngs are wrecked. The early report that
a portion of Hickory creek dam was
washed out has been confirmed.
There has been no serious trouble as
yet from the drainage channel
~ cd
but not seriously and the convicts are at
work as usual The water did not reach
the cell houses or shops.
In addition to Mayor Barr's call for
special meeting of the city council, this
afternoon, he has issued a proclamation
for a general meeting of citizens this
evening, to devise relief measures. Sub
scriptions for the homeless and needy are
being raised and one merchant has do
mated $500 worth Of provisions. The flood
is slowly receding.
The railroads are in helpless condition.
The Rock Island bridge over the drain
age canal has been moved is inches out
of line by the flood and no trains can pass.
The tracks of the Chicago and Alton and
of the Santa Fe are under water and a
Santa Fe bridge south of the city was
washed away.
Ten miles of Michigan Central transfer
track is ruined and a bridge leading to
an elevator was carried away.
The Joliet Stove works plans is flooded
with four feet of water, and the damage
amounts to nearly $50. 600; the Joliet Ware
house company is damaged to the extent
of $4,000 and other losses In the same
ratio are reported from all parts Of the
city.
Business is paralyzed and schools are
closed. The streets that are not sub
merged are thronged with sightseers. The
polite and hremen, assisted by volunteer
squads of helpers, are at work all over the
city relieving suffering and trying to re-
store order.