Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1902-05-28

When the water came into the build
ing it was with such rush that he
was penned in by it. He managed Eto
climb out by breaking out high glass
in the rear door, badly cutting his
hand, and climbed upon a high board
fence where he sat, expecting any
moment to be carried away. AS the
debris swept past him the fence would
sway to and fro, but he managed to
get onto the roof of nearby building,
out of danger.
M. T. Torse n, who lives near the
Winnebago street bridge, after getting
his wife and daughter up stairs, start
ed for his barn to turn his horses loose,
hoping they might find their way to
safety. In going out he was swept off
his feet by the wall of water and
carried swiftly across to the yard of
d. A. Reed. A lantern had been
hung out by the house, and seeing
the pump he reached for it, failed to
grasp it, but luckily caught hold of
the handle. Here he hung until he
was helped into the house. shortly
after his barn, with horses, carriages.
etc. was lifted and carried out ON
Washington street, lodging against
ID. E. Reeds barn, which had gone a
short time before. Mr.. Torsen's horses
both escaped, but the loss to the car
riages and furniture within the
house, where the water was several
feet high, is very heavy.
The experience related by E. A.
Waterbury is indeed a thrilling one.
They were awakened by the Catholic
bell ringing, when they supposed there
was fire, but soon the whistle blew
and they jumped out of bed into the
water up to their knees and almost
sooner than one can tell, it was up to
their arm pits. Climbing upon
window sill and clinging to it they
managed to keep their heads above
the water until it receded and the
house had been carried off it's founda-
tion some twenty feet. Mr.. Waterbury
seriously cut his hand in breaking out
a window to let the water out. Their
furniture is practically total loss.
Len Slack was stopping with his
brother Paul in their new home near
the Milwaukee stock yards and when
he heard the flood coming, took his
little niece in his arms and started
| for high ground. Before he had gone
far the tracks swept down upon them,
knocking him off his feet, and the
little girl out of his arms into the
water. BY fash of lightning he saw
her and caught hold of her dress.
thus saving her from certain death.
He was knocked down two or three
times before getting onto the high
railroad grade, where they remained
until the danger was passed.
B. o. Marsh and the two daughters
of Rev. Schlung who were staying at
his house, had thrilling experience
which they do not care to repeat.
When the alarm was sounded, Mr..
Marsh went to the Burlington depot
to see Dry Run, but finding that the
water was coming, rushed back to his
house ON east Water street to help the
girls to a place of safety. With the
little one in his arms and the other
one at his side they started for the
home of l. W. Brunt, but were knock
ed down by floating sidewalk, and
at the risk of his life Mr.. Marsh gain
ed his feet, caught the girls and help
ed them up They could not remain
at Mr.. Brunt's on account of the high
water and started for John Stoskoff's,
being knocked down twice ON the
way, and narrowly escaping death.
The family of Richard Bucknell
went through an experience which they
will never forget. With the family
all in the house and lights burning,
the house was carried out on Broad
way, down street, and whirled against
Mrs Curtin's house, where it lodged.
All who saw it expected to see it
crushed TO splinters, but it lodged
safely and the family were rescued
by cutting hole through the roof, and
climbing into the second story
of Mrs. Curtin's. The escape was
nothing short of miraculous.
H. f. Thompson and wife lately
moved into the Seavy house on Wash
ington street When the water began
to fill the house he took the baby in
his arms and started, telling his wife
to follow. The water kept rising
about him, he heard his wife scream,
the lightning flashed, and he turned
about but could not find her, and
thought she had been carried away.
After getting the baby out of danger
he made his way back to the house
and found her standing upon the bed,
in water up to her knees.
Agent J. W. Lawhead and wife, at
the Burlington depot, had very ex-
citing time of it. Water was ON all
sides of the building, and debris of
every nature WAS constantly striking Il