Omaha daily bee., 1907-02-14
PLATTE ON RAMPAGE
Large Portion Of Fremont Inundated and
Two Hundred Houses Abandoned.
PEOPLE ARE TAKEN FROM THEM IN BOATS
FloOd Comes So Suddenly Personal Effects
Are Abandoned in Homes
No LIVES KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN LOST
Rogers, Schuyler and North Bend Also
kuffer Damage.
UNION PACIFIC TRACKS INUNDATED
Darlington Bridges Across the Platte
River at Columbus and Schuyler
Are Taken Out by
the Ice.


FREMONT. Neb. Feb. Is.-(special Teie-
gram )-Fremont was by far the worst suf-
ferer so far as general damage is con-
cerned from the food when started with
the breaking Of the ice in the Loup river
50 far as known. however. there has been
no loss OF life though there is an uncon-
hrTned rumor that a little colored boy
had been drowned and there is also fear
that in the darkness all the residents Of
the nood swept section of the city had
not been rescued The flood came suddenly
at 80 this evening, 80 far as the city
was concerned. with the breaking OF the
dixie which had been erected to protect the
town. The water rose rapidly in the south
portions of the city and telephone calls
for relief poured into the city hall Mayor
walE and Sheriff Bauman took charge
OF the rescue work and every boat and
other means Of getting people out Of the
food swept section was utilized, citizens
volunteering freely in the work SO far
as Is possible TO ascertain at this time all
were taken out although no effort was
made to save the belongings Of the unfor-
tunate people. The water is higher than
at any time since the spring of ISL Two
hundred houses have been abandoned
A portion OF the refugees are quartered
at the city hall. others at the freight de-
pots ot the various railroads and still
others have been taken into private homes,
while Eve who are sick are at the Fremont
hospital
The loss Of live stock and personal prop
erty of the people In the low lands will be
very great
The river at 10 O'Clock was stationary.
at midnight IL had commenced to de-
cline and continues to recede slowly.
At II p. m the Burlington tracks were
covered and II was up TO the floor Of the
freight depot The Brown Milling COM
pany's mill is surrounded.
The family OF A r. wightnan of Engle-
wood telephoned for assistance saying
that there had been two feet OF water in
the house and a strong wind was coming
in from the west A number of sick people
were taken OF in boats and teams. one a
woman with q little baby only q few days
old
The Burlington grade north OF there has
held the water In town and IL Il should be
carried out would relieve the situation
somewhat. About 1870 1t began 10 run
over the Union Pacifc tracks at the Nye
avenue crossing and little more rise
would flood a large part OF the Third ward
The water Is very high at Mercer. No.
on the Union Pacific is sidetracked here.
AfnGe. Six miles kEel. Is unQeE water IOE
the first time in its history.
The Northwestern bridge over the Platte
y stll intact. but IT is feared the Bur
lngton's win 20 out
Bridge Out at Schuyler.
SCHUYLER. Neb.. Feb ls.-Cspecial Tel
egraInl-One Of the largest washOuts ever
known to the Platte river at this point oc-
CURED today. The river started TO leave
Its banks last night and kept rising all day
to-day, making its total width more thar
two miles and coming 70 within short
distance Of town. Very little ice yet
had gone through until this evening. when
break started and has taken the rem
hAnt Of the wagon bridge completely away
and carried Il down stream. Only a few
tce-guards OF the Burlington railroad
bridge have been taken OF by Ice so far
but II is very shaky and parts are expected
70 go out by morning. The Burlington
pile-driver is ready for business should any
part go out All eastbound Union PacihS
trains have been blocked between here and
Rogers since this morning on account oi
the washout near North Bend
ARLINGTON. Neb.. Feb. I.-CspeoiaLp- y
me ice IN the Ezkhorn river has not com.
meneed TO break Up yet. but may at an,
time. High water Is expected as the ic'
is thick and may form a gorge in some o.
the river bends
Trains Reported MaroOzed.
ROGERS Neb., Feb B.-(Specisl Tele
Eram)--It is reported here that Union Pa.
cine passenger trains Noe. II Z II. 10 and
G are stranded between here and Nortt
Bend on account Of q washout each
side Of them. one being about one mile
this side Of North Bend and the other ohs
about three miles from here, caused by 8
large gOrge about three miles down th'
river. At this place the river Il fun Of
ice about fourteen inches thick. and Il
Etil rising. At one time in the Afternoon
the water rose about a foot In twenty
minutes. At the r c. Howard farm tn,
water is reported six feet deep and stocl
drowning. There has been a very heay.
wind from the northwest all day. throEins
the Zee over on the south bank OF th'
river While the situation here is serious
Il is thought there Is no danger.
WATERLOO. Neb.. Feb. i2-tSpecial Tel
egram. )-WOrkTnen for the Union Pacih,
to the number OF fifty are pushing IN,
new bridge over the ElkhOrn river and
fear OF the Ice gorging makes the wori
hazardous They have been using som,
dynamite tonight. while the boom o.
dynamite on the Platte river has beer
heard all day. The trains are delayed be
cause OF washouts west. and some fear 4
entertained OF the Platte cutting a channe
across 10 the Elkhorn. as II ala severa
years ago. The ice has opened up 20
l5e yards below the bridge and the river i
rising some
work az Valley.
VALLEY. Neb.. Feb n-(speciall l-or
account Of the thaw and probable brealxini
up OF the river. force OF men began wOrl
al the PlStte river bridge last night
The vsrk OF driving pilins was stoppe.
and un{er the direction OF the county com
missionrrs several spans OF the bridge wa
removal 70 save Il being taken by a gorge
AT Ne river and also the railroad bridg
forfes OF men are al work using dynAmit
10 break up the ice
Water nOWing over the track Of the UniC
Pacific tstween North Bend ana Roger