The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-07-19
FLOODS WILL ID
 MUCH DAMAGE  Central Iowa Suffers Loss of
 $4OOO,OOO RIVERS RISING RAPIDLY
Water Will Overflow Egyptian Levee, Inundating 300 Square Miles. Heavy Rains in Three States
 Cause Much Trouble.

Keokuk, Iowa. July 1s.-Heavy rains in central Iowa yesterday and today are sending flood down upon prosperous Missouri farmers which will ruin many of them and cause losses aggreeating at a conservative estimate two and q half million dollars. There seems to be no hope tonight for the country between the Mississippi river and the Missouri bluffs between Keokul1 and Hannibal 300 square miles. The Des Moines river began to rise three inches an hour at its mouth here today continuing until hope of safety was abandoned this evening rise Of one and half feet in short time this morning at Ottumwa and a further rise throughout it's length below the capital city. was prevented from running out freely by rise of foot and a half at Davenport last night, increasing and coming down rapidly.
 This afternoon the observer of the weather bureau at Keokuk. in charge of this district, sent telegraphlc warning to all points south to prepare for danger. The crest is expected here Saturday or Sunday. The Egyptian levee which stood the flood just receding after strenuous efforts to hold it, is only slightly above the water now and the coming flood in the Des Monies will top 1t certainly This lets the water Into hundreds of square miles, including the town of Alexandria, Missouri. The inhabitants there are pre- pairing for an overflow of the entire town to depth of several feet. This Is the town which Mark Twain, in his Life on the Mississippi said: Some times comes up to blow"
 May Lose $4,ooo,ooo.
 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. Grain men put the figures of the loss from the overflow nearly four millions between Keokuk and Hannibal It is believed the Illinois le- wees will hold and the damage there is likely to be only $20, GOO to $3O0OO between Keokuk and Qnicy. Heavy rains report ed in Southwestern Iowa today and to- night indicate still higher water. Low land farmers river men and the. weather bureau observer alike predict the great est damage eyer known from the flood on the upper river.
 River Still Rising.
 Reports late this evening show tre- mendous rains along the Des Moines river and tributaries. These rains will reach the lower river and flooded districts by Sunday with a still further rise and de- vastation. Both the Des Moines and Mississippi rivers are rising faster as the night progresses. Late reports show half the country for distance of thirty miles between La Grange and Hannibal was under water long before the crest of the flood arrived. Points up the Des Moines river report water flowing through the towns
 Joliet, Ills, July 1s.-Rainfall of nearly four inches last night and today has caused another flood in Joliet and eonsid- erable damage has been done.
 Lincoln, Neb.. July lS.--A rainfall of nearly three inches last night and today caused another flood in the bottom lands in the western part of the city. The water is rising slowly tonight and more rain is threatened. All the eastern and central part of Nebraska received q downpour.
 Denver Colo, July 1S.-This city was swept by an unusually violent wIndstorm today, followed by a drenching rain. The wind blew at the rate of fiorty-two miles an hour from the northwest. W. P. Swal- lows. postmaster at Kokomo, Colo was instantly killed by lightning.