Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-10
(From a Stan Correspondent


DES MONIES, July 9-(Special.) THE
old citizens have to go back at least a
half century to find anything in the nature
Of flood with which to compare the pres
ent condition Of affairs at the Coon fork of
the Des Molnes river. Tradition says that
at one time all the lowlands in the eastern
and southern portions Of Des Mones were
covered with water, but that was before so
many houses were built there. During one
Of the periods of high water many steam
boats came up from the Mississippi and
landed here. But the present flood here
breaks all known records. At the Locust
street bridge, where the city has a gauge,
the water in the Des Moines river stood
fifteen feet above low mark this morning
and was twenty feet at midnight.
The river is very wide at this
point. Leeves have been broken over,
bridges washed out, parks and gardens
submerged, houses fioated away, factories
stopped, roads destroyed and fences torn
up. Large areas of the city are under
water and this includes some residence dis
tricts, chiefly the homes Of laboring men,
and number Of the factory districts. The
greatest single loss is in bridges. The
false work used by the workingmen en-
gagged in constructing a brick arch bridge
in the north part Of the city went out last
night and floated down to a Judgement
against the street car bridge leading to
Highland park and the north residence part.
The bridge was in danger most OF the
night, but the drift was taken away this
morning and foated on down past the city
to the location OF the Great Western
freight bridge. A portion of the bridge is
being rebuilt and the material was on a
fFa In xnFkt tnH rrta ~
the materials.
Trains Held by Floods.
At midnight the levee on the north side
OF town broke, flooding a large residence
section. Most of the families removed
earlier in the evening. A small break oc-
CURED in the Raccoon river levee just after
midnight and large force OF men is at
tempting to hold the flood in check. Two
Rock Island eastbound passenger trains
due here tonight are held at Commerce,
twenty miles west of here, where the
tracks are covered with water. Trains on
other roads though late. keep in motion.
The Des Moines river dam is weakening.
II II goes out 1t will endanger four city
bridges and all the railroad bridges.
The city bathhouse is surrounded by
water and most of the adjacent buildings,
on slightly higher ground, are in danger OF
being flooded before night. Most OF the
residents are moving out on Franklin ave-
nue., just east OF the bathhouse park.
The families living south and east Of the
river are in a dangerous predicament. The
water has spread over the adjoining pas
lures and Is slowly rising.
Just east Of the north Sixth avenue
bridge the Parker lighthouses and the boat
4. - NJ NJ
Canoe clubs are flooded by water. It is
up around the first platforms or porches
and running through the interior rooms.
Ropes and chains have been used to anchor
them to trees.
Race Track Under Water.
The mile track of the Des Moines Driv-
ing association is being flooded and the
races will be given up that were scheduled
for next week.
The Chautauqua assembly in session here
has been interfered with so that a portion
of the program will be given up.
In all nearly fifty families have been
compelled to move out Of their homes The
levees in what is known as the packing
house district have been broken over and
the water has flooded that portion OF the
city. though not very deep.
The continuous rains have forced nearly
all Iowa streams from their banks and the
destruction of crops, live stock and other
property is assuming immense proportions
1t is impossible to estimate the damage
from the indefinite reports received, The
damage is especially extensive In the cen.
trail northern, western and southwestern
parts OF the state. The valleys Of the
Sioux and Maple rivers are flooded ant
Woodbury. and Monona counties are under
water. The Iowa river at Marshalltown Il
the highest since 1881. Many county bridges
have been destroyed and trafic between
Marshalltown and surrounding points Il
practically cut of. Cattle and hogs have
been drowned In large numbers IN the Iowt
valley At Cedar Rapids 54 inches Of rair
has fallen since July 1. Cedar river is out
OF its banks and many families have beer
forced from their homes. Numerous bridges
have been swept away in Linn county.
The skunk river and squaw creek are
out OF their banks and near the confluence
In Story county thousands OF acres are
flooded and crops practically destroyed.
Water Four Feet Deep In Town.
deluge visited the town OF Extra las
night and trains on the Audubon branch Of
: