Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-01-22
BREAKING
OF THE ICE
Cause of Much Alarm
Along the Ohio
River.
RAINS ARE GENERAL

Expected by To-
morrow.
| Pittsburg, Jan. 22.-Reports receiv-
ed by the weather bureau today indi-
cate a general breakup in the rivers.
Ice gorges are letting 90 at different
points. and the wafer is rising at
headwaters on both rivers. The
weather is mild. and rain is reported
from all sections Of western Pennsyl-
vania. All conditions are favorable
to a great flood
Steamers Swept Away.
Cleveland. Jan. 22-Three large
steamers were swept down the Guy
! ho9a river this morning and crashed
into the Superior street Viaduct. The
vessels were badly damaged and the
river blockaded. The foundation of
the big bridge is probably seriously
damaged.
Houseboat Carried Away.
indianapolis. Jan. 22.-Ice i'm White
river carried off Il houSeboat occu-
pied by John Schowe and wife. The
boat was demolished and the woman
drowned. Schuwe became crazed by
the cold. \ man who sought to res
cue him was forced to tie Schowe in
skitf. The re>cuer fell out of the
boat. but was saved. The skitf was
swept away.
Crisis Expected Tonight.
Pittsburs. Jan. 22.-The worst flCOd
in the history of western Pennsylvania
since the establishment of the weather
bureau at this point is expected here
tonight Never before have the cOndi-
tions and the outlook been so serious
as now exist. Although Fore
caster Frank Ridgway would not state
to what height he expects the rivers
to rise. he admits that the situation
is grave. Experienced river men and
people who for years have watched
river and weather conditions do not
heSitatcd to state that Il stage of thirty
five feet would he reached. which is
IL feet higher than the flood of 1884.
Getting Ready for the Flood.
Heeding the warnings given out by
the weather bureau and from past eX-
perience business men, officials and
manufacturing plants, and citizens
whose homes line the banks of the
MononCa hela and Allegheny rivers,
have begun to meet the impending dan
ger. which it is asserted at the wealth
er bureau nothing could stop. The riv-
er interests are also preparing and re-
moving such property as would bee dam
aged by water and ice. The expected
cold wave. which was headed in this
direction from the northwest. has been
side-tra cked from the storm center,
moving northward and eastward.
Wabash Is OH the, Rampage.
Lafayette. Ind. Jan. 22.-The Wa
bash river at this point has reached
a dangerous stage. the heavy rains
have swollen the stream until il has
OverfiOwed the banks. and all bottom
lands are inundated. \ siXteen-fOot
rise has been registered. the river com
ing UP at the rate of two feet an
hour. Farmers living in the lOwlands
have abandoned their homes and
sought refuge on the high grounds.
A hOusebOat valued at 5000. which
was anchored about two miles above
the city. was torn to pieces and went
down. At Fulton island. about six
miles below the city. an ice gorge has
formed and the water rose at this
point over four feet in twenty min
utes.
Ohio Towns Are Too Wet
Rucyrus. o., Jan. 22. - The San
dusky river in this city and the SciOto, |
south of here. are at record -brea king /
stages. An ice gorge at Salon has |
broken the natural gas main and cut |
off the gas supply.
Fremont. o.. Jan. 22-The lower |
portions of Fremont are under water. /
the result of a freshet in the San /
dusky river and the forming of an ice |
gorge below the city. Many houses |
are surrounded 10y water and the oc- |
cupants are moving out.
Damage by Rising Water.
LoGan>port. Ind, Jan. -. - Ice has
begun moving out Of the Wabash riv-
er doing much damage 10 property. |
The gorge broke near the Market street 1
bridge and water oveTfiOwed Eel RiY- |
er avenue. filing the cellars and base
ments of the residences along this
street Riverside Park was converted /
into lake and many families left their
homes. fearing their houses would lie
swept away. Water backing up has |
caused the city electric light plant to-
shut down.