Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-07-09
WATER HIGHER
THAN LAST FLOOD
Iowa River Passes High Water
Mark Reached on Thurs.
day, June IL.
At Noon Today Is Twelve Feet
Above Normal Stage-..Much
Damage Done.
Lowlands Completely Inundated
and Crops Suffer as
Result.
Linn Creek Rising Rapidly..Rail
road Traffic Badly Delayed.
Storm Notes.

road Traffic Badly Delayed.
Storm Notes.
The Iowa river, which on Tuesday
was transformed from its ordinary
peaceful condition into a raging tor
rent, as the result of the heavy rains
north on Monday night, today reached
the highest stage ever known since the
mammoth flood of 1881
AT noon the water was twelve feet
above the normal stage, and still rising
rapidly. The water, which on Tuesday
afternoon was within eighteen inches
of the highest water mark reached in
the overflow of u month ago, continued
to rise all night, and at S this morning
was up to within about four inches of
the high mark, set June II. At noon it
had reached that point and this after
noon surpassed 1t. The indications are
that it will go even higher, because re-
ports from the north state that this
morning the water was still coming up
rapidly. 1t was currently reported on
the streets that the dam at Iowa Falls
gave way this morning and that by
Thursday morning another unprece-
denied rise could be expected. This
the T.-R. has been unable to verify, al
tho a telegram was sent to ascertain
the true situation.
Not only did the rains north Monday
night and Tuesday afternoon assist in
the rise, but also the local downpour,
the rain falling steadily all night. The
observation for the twenty-four hours
ending at o'clock this morning
showed the fall to be an even two inch
es.
The river is magnificent sight, even
tho one considers the resultant damage.
By standing at the city pumping sta
ton one can look in any direction and
all that meets his gaze is water. The
dam is one seething whirlpool, with
scarcely any perceptible fall, and to
the north, shooting over the road lead
ing from Center street into Pierce's
park, the water is coursing like small
Niagara. There is by far more water in
the river bottoms than during the flood
of a month ago. This is likely due to
the fact that channels We're made at
that time and the second rise finds wa
terways with no difficulty. The river
is not the only stream to become af-
fected, as Linn creek is also booming.
Standing on the corner of Main street,
and looking south on Center the tops
Of the fence posts, in the pasture lands,
may be seen protruding thru the fields
of water. BY looking east on Main
street the water is plainly visible, and
the view from the high bank in River
side, over the lowlands, is magnificent.
The Third street trolley line has been
doing an immense business all day,
carrying people to the river to view
the sights.
The course of the river can no long
er be followed by its banks, they hav-
ing been overfiowed, and the waters
take their course thru wood or over
open meadows and fields. At various
points along the lowlands in the vicini-
ty of this city the river varies in width
from one-half to two miles. Where a
few days ago We're fields of standing
grain and vegetables now are rushing
torrents or lakes of muddy water. The
river bottoms north and northwest of
the city are almost completely inundat-
ed and present to the eye the appear
ance of one vast lake dotted here and
there by patches of green foliage or
islands of water soaked land that raise
their heads above the flood. The posi-
ton of the dam is marked only by a
mighty wave that, breaking below
transforms the water into a whirling
eddy of white caps.
Cation Moves Second Time.
George Cation, who resides on the
lowlands across the river and to the
east of the Center street road, was
compelled to secure boats and remove
the members of his family Tuesday
night. His residence is completely sur
rounded by water and a greater portion
of his crops are flooded and will doubt
less suffer considerable damage. Ar
chic White, who conducts the boat liv-
cry on the Center street road, was COM
PEELED Tuesday afternoon to abandon
his boat house and seek higher ground,
the water standing foot or more deep
on the floor of the house.
Cattle Are Rescued.
night and Tuesday overlooked the pas
lures in the river bottoms and came
near drowning several head of cattle
belonging to Mr.. Smith and Reuben"
Clay, which were pastured on the low
ground north of the city. Ii required
the work of several hours for Mr..
Smith, aided by Archie White to re-
move bunch of thirty or forty steers
that had become isolated and sur
rounded by water and stood huddled
and frightened on little island scarce
ly large enough to furnish foot hold
for all. The cattle We're finally gotten
to higher ground by forcing them to
swim for a considerable distance. Mr..
Clay had similar experience with one
of his herds and it was only by the
greatest of efforts that they We're all
saved.
Has Close Call.
Will Redel, of this city, a driver In
the employ of Snyder d Larkin, had
quite a close call Tuesday afternoon
from drowning Mr.. Redel started with
a load of bottled goods on the wagon to
make deliveries to Marietta, Bangor
and other small inland towns in that
part of the county. When on the road
between Marietta and Albion ii became
necessary for him to wade his horses
thru the water When in the middle OF
the swift running current one of the
horses baked and refused TO go farther
Mr.. Redel was compelled to get out into
the water, which was shoulder deep