The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1903-06-13
LtVEE BROKE NEAR STlOUIS
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER Is 90 FEET
OVER AVERAGE.
Loss Of Life VIII Reach Over Hun.
dred-PeopIe Of Black Walnut Dis.
triet RESPONSIBILITIES North Of St.
Louis In Grip Of the FIood-Men Can
Not Be Hired at Any Price.

St Louis, June Sword has been
received here that levee near Madi-
son. on which gangs Of men were work
ing. gave way ana Is men, employees
Of the American Car Foundry works,
lost their lives. About $50 men, it is
reported. are imprisoned on a section
Of the levee that is slowly crumbling,
and ali means Of escape has been cut
on. Word has been sent TO the St
Louis side TO rush a private yacht TO
the rescue.
A steamer from St. Charles sue
eeeded In reaching Black Walnut, and
the 1000 imperiled people were taken
from the island in safety. All were
rescued.
Mississippi Still Rising.
St Louis. June s.-Like a mill race
the swollen Mississippi is surging past
ST. Louis with a stage Of 369 feet,
making a rise Of one and one half
feet In "a hours.
Black Walnut is located in a broad
and fertile valley Of the Missouri and
the lands surrounding it are said to be
the richest wheat land in the state.
All Venice. Madison, portions OF
Granite City and $4,000 acres Of rich
bottom farming Land are in the grip
Of the food north Of East St. Louis
Houses have been swept from their
foundations and sent adrift The dam
age already done is enormous and hour
ly the food reaches farther inland
more and more Gripping railroad traf
&c and engulhng additional homes
farms and factories. The east approach
10 Merchants bridge is reported
severely damaged.
Reports OF loss OF life have been re
ceived. Men who were viewing the
food from the bridge approach told
Of having seen a man on the roof OF
floating house. The house was over
turned by the current during this AZ
Near Madison a dyke broke and q
wall OF water rushed through. Thret
women. endeAvoring 20 escape, were
seen 10 crouch bewilderedly behind q
fence. The wall of water three feet
high swept the fence away and only
after a strenuous effort were two 81
the women saved. The third. Mrs. An
tone. wife Of a saloonkeeper. claspinG
her infant in her arms, was according
to witnesses. swept away and drowned
Eas; 81. Louis was unable 20 secure
enough men TO work on the levee
Men apparently needing work refused
offers OF 80 cents an hour TO pile sand
bags on the levee. Levee officials and
even prominent men sprang into tbs
breach and worked with a will to keeT
the water out Of the city. while crowds
OF men apparently needing employ
ment stood about and refused all OF
ters Of work. Policemen invaded sa
looms to secure workmen. but although
the saloons were crowded 8 very small
percentage OF the patrons were willing
to help protect the city.
The turbulent Missouri is doinl
great damage al St Charles and vi
cinity. 25 miles west OF St. Louis. Sew
eral deaths are reported. All tn,
farmhouses and barns occupying tbs
lowlands across the river from ST
Charles have been swept away viii
but few exceptions. All day people il
skiffs were busy trying to save prop
erty. Three women in one farm
house refused to leave until they haS
ripped a new carpet from the foor. Tit
men in the rescue boats, left them
and before they could return the cur
rent was eddying about the hous'
swiftly and the boat could not reacl
1t, and the women were left to thei
fate. From a clump Of willows hous'
top and some planks drifted out, anC
there was a distinct sound Of a wo
mans voice calling for help. but whei
a boat reached the spot the housetol
had turned over and was floating ava,
and all was silent.