The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-19
Three Hundred Square Miles of Land
PIaated in Corn Certain to Be
Overlooked.
MUCH WHEAT ALSO IN PERIL
LOSSES CoNsERvATIyELY EsTIMAT-
ED WILL REACH s2,5OO,OOO.
Town of Alexandria, Mo-, Famed by
Mark Twain, May BE Swept Away
Disastrous storms.

KEOKUK, Ia, July 1S-Heavy rains in
central Iowa yesterday and to-day are
sending flood down upon prosperous Mis-
souri, farmers which will ruin many of
them and cause losses aggregating, at
conservative estimate, S2,50O,0O0. There
seems to be no hope tonight for the Missis-
sippi river and the Missouri bluffs from
Keokuk and Hannibal, 800 square miles. in
which much corn is laid by, together with
several thousands of acres of wheat in the
shock. The water had touched the danger
line the first of the week and had begun to
recede when heavy floods started again in
the Des Moines river, only three feet below
the tops of the great levees. The river be-
gan to rise three inches an hour at its
mouth here to-day, continuing until hope of
safety was abandoned this evening. A rise
of one and a half feet in a short time this
morning at Ottumwa and further rise
throughout it's length below the capital city
was prevented from running out freely by
rise of a foot and half at Davenport
last night. increasing and coming down
rapidly.
This afternoon the observer of the wealth
er bureau at Keokuk, in charge of this dis
trict, sent telegraphic warning to all points
expected here Saturday or Sunday The
Egyptian levee, which stood the flood just
recedng after strenuous efforts to hold it,
including the destruction of farm houses
to secure lumber for strengthening the
dixie. is only slightly above the water now.
and the coming food in the Des Moines
will top it certainly. This let's the water
into hundreds Of square miles, including
itants are preparing for an overflow of the
entire town to a depth of several feet. This
is the town OF which Mark Twain, in his
Life on the Mississippi" said Sometimes
comes up to blow"
The worst feature is the time Of the
year. The corn crop is all made and wheat
is in the shock. entailing a total loss of
the years work. Crops were never finer
and the yield promised is immense Grain
men say the above estimate OF value is
too low and put the figures of the loss from
the overflow nearer four millions between
Keokuk and Hannibal. 1t is believed the
Illinois levees will hold and the damage
there is likely to be only $4,000 to $4,000 be-
tween Keokuk and Quincy. Heavy rains
are reported in southeastern Iowa to-day
and tonight indicates still higher water
Lowland farmers, river men and the
weather bureau observer alike predict the
greatest damage ever known from flood on
the upper river.
Reports late this evening show tremen-
dous rain along the Des Moines river and
tributaries. Six inches fell at Corvdon
and nearly that much at Ottumwa. Rains
all over this section continue tonight
with two inches as a general minimum
rainfall, and many places reporting five
inches. These rains will reach the lower
river and flooded districts by Sunday, with
a still further rise and devastation Both
the Des Moines and Mississippi rivers are
rising faster as night progresses. Late
reports show half the country for a dis
tance OF thirty miles between Lagrange
and Hannibal already under water
long before the crest OF the food arrived
Points up the Des Moines river report
water flowing through the towns.