The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1911-10-12

4
Valley In Peril.
Black River Falls, wis.-Half the
business section OF this city and a
portion Of the residence section was
destroyed when the swollen waters
OF the Black river overlooked the
dam OF the La Crosse Water and
Power company at Hatfield in a
deluge that did damage estimated at
between 100000 and ss,OOo.0e0
Between flfty-fve and sixty build
ings we're destroyed and the homes OF
score Of farmers were swept away
In the deluge. A portion of the resi-
dence section Is under water and in
habitants have been forced to fee to
the high lands near the city for safe
ty. Several are reported missing,
and It is feared they have persisted.
The fate OF many farmers. whom II
was impossible to warn, is unknown.
There is between twenty and thirty
feet Of water In Water street and
Main street. Two-story buildings
we're nearly entirely submerged be-
fore they collapsed. The power
house which furnishes the city's light
is entirely under water. The Omabs
railroad bridge Is 40 feet above the
water normally. and now the food is
within ten feet of the rails.
Below Black River Falls, in the val
ley. are a number OF villages. includ.
ing Roaring Creek. Irving. North
Bend. Melrose. Holmen. Lytles. Mid.
way and Onalaska. which are directly
n the path OF the food.
The levee protecting the shore OF
Black river at the west end OF the
Dells dam. five miles above Hatfield.
the property Of the La Crosse Water
Power company. gave way. sending
huge column OF water against the
dam at Hatfield. The structure. un.
able to stand the strain. opened at
the west side. and the food rushed on
Its way toward the city below.
The water. flowing with resistless
current and In tremendous volume,
undermined one large building after
another. and as they crumbled to
pieces the debris was carried away |
The residents. although they knew |
Of the overlooking of the Hatfield dam,
showed little fear OF its effects until |
the waters burst upon them.
The company has been fighting the
rising water during heavy rains for a
week. but the 900 men. who were
trying to save the dyke. gave up. The
Hood waters swept over the core
wall at the west end OF the Upper
Dells dam, emptying millions OF gal.
Ions OF water into the lower lake.
To save the power-house and ada.
cent settlements the company dyna.
mited the canal wall. permitting part
OF the food to flow back into the river
bed below the dam. Although this re-
leased some Of the tension on the
main dam the gravest fear is ex.
pressed lest 1t crack from the heavy
strain. IL there Is no more rain II
nay hold. but II rain continues ON,
,ials Of the company fear further
disaster.
When It became apparent the break
vas inevitable Caretaker True Of the
Upper Dells dam mounted horse and
warned residents of the vicinity to fee
or higher ground. II is believed most
u them mad time to escape.
When the food struck Black River
'alls farmhouses. barns and other de.
iris were hurled against the wagon
ridge. carrying II out.
The Green Bay and Western tracks
re washed out for a half mile near
Iatfield.
Hatnelds telephone connections
nth Black River Falls. ~ miles be-
wv. were cut OF. The operators of
9th the Bell and the independent
ompanies notified their central of.
ces at North Bend that they were
'aving on account OF the water.
Just as In the Austin flood, tele-
hone operators proved heroines.
Nth almost every resident in Black
liver Falls fleeing out OF the town.
lie girl operators OF both companies
iere stuck to their boards. warning
every direction. They left only
hen the water started to food the q
Dor where they were working. e
Chippewa Falls, Wis.-Two dams p
ent out In this city and one at Bloom. G
:, and the country is Hooded In every q
recion. The Chippewa river is a
its banks, and water IA Il
inning In the streets as a result of o.