The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-02

Mary's at o'clock a. m. were unavailing,
but there was no intimation of any change
in the situation.
CELINA, o.. April This has been
day of great anxiety to the people living
i'm the vicinity of Lake Mercer. ST.
Mary's reservoir or Grand reservoir, as the
great body of water here is variously
termed. 1t was several times reported that
the reservoir had broken and it's vast
waters were sweeping human beings to
death and devastating property near and
far. These reports however, were not true.
but The danger has been present all day
and still existed at midnight.
Tonight a furious wind is lashing the
waves against the cast bank. which pro-
tects st. Mary's The town, including the
power plant, already is under water. A
very large force is at work trying TO save
the locks at the bulkhead. st. Mary's is
at the east end of the reservoir and Celina
at the west end. Flood signals have been
given not only around the reservoir. but
also TO people along the canal, to be ready
10 vacate. The ST. Mary's river has
broken its record. doing much damage TO
the railroads and other property. A very
large force of men also Is at work tonight
on the dam on the Celina side of the reser-
voir.
The exodus of people from the reservoir
district tonight is very large on account
of the high winds which make the waters
surge along the banks. These people know
that If there is break at any point great
calamity will follow. The superintendent
of the canal notified the people occupying
houses the south side of the Lake Erie
& Western Railway in this city to vacate at
once. The railroads also have very large
forces of men bracing their cuverts against
the dashing waters. Besides the gangs of
workmen, hundreds are engaged as watch
men and patrolmen ready to give warning in
case of break. The residents of the reser-
voir district, as well as the railway and
the canal officials, are more apprehensive
tonight over the high winds than the
high water.
THE RESERVOIR
The reservoir is the largest artificial
body of water in the world, being ten
miles long and from two to tour miles in
width, and covering about 10000 acres. It's
banks are from ten to twenty-five feet
high and il was constructed on the sum-
NIT between the Ohio river and the lakes
to feed the canals both ways Hav-
lH5 outlets INTO the Mdumee and the Wa
bash rivers. its waters take opposite di-
rections, and in the event of a serious break
the damages would beyond description
The State was engaged from 1897 to 1S45 in
constructing this great lake and it has been
the scene of much trouble. All sorts of
craft ply its waters and it is a great resort
for fishermen.
Last nights heavy rains and floods caused
big rise in the reservoir, notwithstanS
ing the gates had been removed large
force OF men was put TO work this morn
/ inc ctr
banks are in fairly good condition, but at
one point. the southeast corner there is
great danger. That portion is being close
~ watched and large gang of men is
The St. Mary's river is higher than for
many years. and is doing much damage to
railroad property. Much of the Toledo &
Ohio Central Railroad tracks are under
water, which has also submerged the COM
panys station. No trains have made their
appearance on either the Ohio Central or
the Lake Erie & Western No mails are
expected until tomorrow. Many big wash
outs are reported all along the line Rural
mail carriers were compelled to return to
the city to-day, being unable to go over
their routes on account of washouts and
high water. Business has practically been
shops and foundries also have closed down
until the water subsidies Many families
| living on lowlands were compelled to move
out; The whole surrounding country is
under water.
| In many cases where people lived in one
| story houses they were taken from roofs
| by rescuers just before the buildings COL
! lapsed and were swept away MANY mar
| row escapes from drowning were expert
enced by rescuers and persons who were
| brought TO safety during the day Several
| of the largest manufacturing plants in
the city are under water and will suffer
| heavy losses. The patrons Of the Labelle
| Sanatorfum. many of them dangerously i'll
have been huddled into rooms on the Sec
| ond floor.
family named Stewart was driven TO
| the second story of their home and later
Mrs. Stewart shouted TO a rescuins party
that daughter had just died from pneu-
monia, the husband was near death with
consumption ana tnat two other children
were ill with pneumonia
Many of the families living i'm the low
| lands adjacent TO the rivers were in poor
! circumstances, and there will be need of
much charity to provide them with pro-
visions and shelter. All public places and
! homes adjacent to the flooded district are
already crowded with homeless people