The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-23

Columbus in Darkness, Due to RiS-
ing Waters-Bridges Destroyed,
Tracks Submerged.
RAIL TRAFFIC STOPPED

COLUMBUS o., Jan. 22.-At 10 o'clock to-
night the Scioto river was still rising here,
but slowly. with indications that the flood
would reach it's crest before morning. The
water is foot and half above the danger
mark. standing at 1S1z feet but the levees
protecting the west side of the city are still
intact Some Of the lower portions of that
section have been inundated by the water
backing up through sewers. and many fam
lilies have been compelled to leave their
homes. No damage has as yet resulted
from the ice going out of the river.
The electric street lights are dark, the
company having raised their dynamos so as
to be above the danger line in case the
levee breaks. They will be out of service
until the danger is past.
From all over central, northern and
southern Ohio came reports of floods. AZ
Piqua the Miami river rose three and one
half feet in a few hours and that part of
the city known as Rossville is completely
inundated. Hundreds of families have been
driven from their homes and others have
taken up their abode in the second stories.
The indications are that the eastern por-
ton of the city will also be flooded unless
the water recedes soon.
~ Il lIu4dy lueIc Is no abatement III llc
flood, and the destruction of property con-
tinues. Practically all steam and electric
railway traffic has been suspended. The
Toledo * Ohio Central tracks sub
merged for a distance of six miles, under
from four TO six feet of water. Bridges
have been swept away in all directions.
Telegraph and telephone wires are down
and poles are washed away. Over 200 fam
lilies have been rescued from flooded homes
Marietta reports that the ice in the Mus
kingum river broke at o clock to-day. The
fine large towboat Winifred was cut down
by the ice and sank. The boat was just
nearing completion and with the rising
waters 1t is feared it will be total loss.
Wide sections of the Miami valley south
of Dayton are inundated. Traction traffic
between Dayton and Cincinnati has been
suspended owing TO damage to treStle work
south of Franklin. The immense ice gorge
north of Dayton broke in time to prevent
the flooding of the city The Miami river is
still rising, but unless heavy rains should
continue no very serious results are now an
ticipated. Trains on the Big Four and c.,
II. & ID. south are delayed. because of dam
aged rOadbeds.
At Youngstown the MahOning river is
within two feet of high water mark. and
still rising The worst flood that city has
experienced in years is anticipated. The
Pittsburg, Youngstown x AShtabula Rail-
road is compelled TO use the Erie tracks be-
tween Youngstown and Warren, on ac-
count of the high water.
From Akron IL Is reported that all trains
on the Cleveland branch of the Baltimore
& Ohio Railway have been annulled be-
cause of the flood which is raging in this
section. Between that point and Cleveland
the tracks of the road are a foot under
water. The Little and Big Cuyahoga rivers
are away out of their banks. The sur
rounding country is under water to a depth
of several feet.
GAINESVILLE reports that the ice has gone
out of the Licking and Nuskingum rivers
below the city. but in the Muskingum,
above the dam, the ice is gorsing. Both
rivers rising rapidly and the Licking
is close TO the danger line.