Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1902-06-04
NOTES OF THE FLOOD
EXAGGERATED NEWSPAPER REPORTS
How the Flood Was Written up in the
Dailies. Progress of the Work of
Reconstruction etc.

lans and the exaggerated accounts in
some of the dailies provoked much am
usement. A travelling man was in the
city the other day, who happened to
be in southern Canada at the time of
our flood. He picked up a Canadian
paper, so he reports, and was amazed
to see the startling statement that De-
corah had undergone disastrous food,
but imagine his dismay to read that
out of city of five thousand people
only two escaped, and they on horse
back took to the hills.
One paper stated that on Washing
ton street, the main business thorough
fare of the city, all the buildings and
contents except two were swept away,
and these two were jammed together
in the center Of the street
Another report was to the effect that
the food had killed 1900 people, and
the other 1900 only escaped by climbing
into trees and seeking refuge ON the
hills Also that in the flooded section
the water was thirty-five feet deep on
the level.
Already preparations are being
made in all sections visited by the
flood for the laying of cement walks
in place of many of those washed
away. Comparatively few of, the
cement walks which were flooded were
damaged, which forces the conclusion
that they are in sense safer as well
as much more permanent. Much of
the damage was done by the washing
of board walks against the trees and
houses and the collecting of debris
behind walks, which assisted in OBJ
structing the flow of the water.
Teams and men have been at work
ever since the flood hauling stone and
dirt, with which they are making the
levee which protects the houses in
Curtin's addition higher and safer.
This levee protected many houses from
damage, and it is thought that it can
be easily made perfectly safe, and
plenty high enough to prevent the
water running over it at any time.
Something like fifteen hundred loads
have already BEEN hauled in, and the
work will continue until the levee is
made strong enough to be safe from
any future danger.
One important feature of the recon-
struction of the devastated part of the
city will be the raising of many of the
houses into which the water ran and
ruined carpets furniture, and walls.
The water rose to depth Of from one
to three feet in the greater portion of
these houses, and as many of them
will be raised from two to four feet,
it will place them above the danger
line, at least in case of another flood
of equal or less height of water.
The fact that the water was higher
and the damage greater in this than
any preceding food leads to the
belief that this improvement will be
an advantageous one.
The railroads have been making
rapid progress toward DEBORAH the
past week, and both roads expect to
be running trains into the city before
the week is over. The Milwaukee has
their tracks laid nearly to the freight
depot, and will probably run a train
down today. They expect to sell
tickets from DEBORAH for passengers on
Thursday, we understand. The Bur-
lington has been transporting passen-
gers and freight to and from Nordness
overland. Their gang of men are now
about three miles out of DEBORAH,
with considerable work yet to do, SC
that it is likely they will not be able
to run in train before the last OF
the week or the first of next week.
Both roads have been working very
large forces, and have accomplished
the repairing Of their tracks in remark
ably short time, considering the work
to be done and shortage of men.
Several large amounts have been
sent the relief committee during the
past week from parties out of town,
but the money has been returned to
them, because of the fact that it was
thought that DEBORAH was amply able
to care for her unfortunate citizens,
and that it would not be wise to ac-
cept outside subscriptions. Among
the amounts returned were a check for
800 from Senator ID. A. Lyons, of
Cresco, and check for the same
amount from the Deering Harvester
Co., to J. ]. Marsh, their local sales
man.
When the clouds darkened and
it hooked like storm was coming the
other night, many people left their
homes in the lower places, fearing a
repetition of the food.
Picking Up the Snaps.
Rem Rear went IN OhicapO Monday