The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-07-10
DES MONIES
INUNDATED
-Four Feet of Water Covers
an Area of Twenty
~. s- 20. = sza5 1z=l- =3s 81 -rr.s,-si
Blocks.
Levees Break in Several
Places Some Thrilling
4 Rescues by Boat.

Des Moines. Iowa, July 10-The flood
situation reached Its most alarming stage
in the history of the city early this morn
ing. The Des Moines river was twenty
one feet above low water mark at Z
o'clock, having risen three feet in less
than ten hours. 1t Is still rising at
rapid rate. The Raccoon river, which
empties into the Des Moines at this
place, advanced four feet between 8 and
1880 o'clock this morning and is still
going up. y g.
The food Is at the highest point since
1851, when the river was six feet deep
over what is now occupied by thousands
Of residences, business houses and fac
tories At that time the river was but
one foot higher than at present, and 1t Is
evident the old record will soon be brok-
en-. Nothing but levees protect all TINS
district and in two score places they have
either broken or given way.
Cannot Save Homes.
Hundreds of men are working des-
perately along the 1evees to save their
homes and property, but the water is
slowly driving them from their positions.
Residents of South Des Moines kept an
anxious vigil all night long and at a
O'Clock, owing to serious break Of
large section of the levee. were forced to
fee. Many thrilling rescues by boats are
reported.
Thousands OF dollars worth of property
was destroyed in thirty minutes in South
Des Mones and it is now practically cut
OFF from the rest of the city.
Four feet of water Is rushing through
q district of twenty blocks occupied by
residences. In North Des, Moines a wide
breach in the levee occurred at o'clock
and. 400 residents were forced to abandon
their homes and much, of their property.
'Waterworlss in Danger.
The situation Is intensified by the ne
cessity of closing down the waterworks,
tf the river advances another foot. The
city will be without water for domestic
consumption, factory use or fire protec-
ton. Hundreds OF men are constructing
temporary levee about the water
works, but the water rises almost al tast
as they work -
Street car traffic has been abandoned on
several lines and will have to be aban-
ioned all over the city in a short time
s owing to water. putting out the fires under
the OILERS of ~ power house.
It is reported from Abel, Fort Dodge
and other places above Des 1Moines that
the rivers are still rising, which is great
menace to this city. =. ,a-.
Fine Bridge Wreck.
The Rock Island railway has resumed
trains on almost it's regular schedule and
the North Western is making satisfactory
time on it's main lines. The Milwaukee
and Great Western continue to suffer the
most. Another span of the Great West
ern bridge at this place went out this
morning, the bridge now being almost a
total wreck,
The Des MONIES track was submerged
this morning. Two hundred horses in
training there for the race meeting that
was to open next week were removed dur
ing the night. The race meeting has
been abandoned.
Begged for Help.
At Nineteenth street a heart-rendine
spectacle was witnessed at o'clock this
morning. Occupants Of half dozen
houses which were surrounded by water
were heard shouting from the second
story window; crying piteously for boats
None was available at the time and thu
prisoners were almost beside themselves
with fear.