The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1911-10-13
WISC0NS|NFL00D
WRECK TERRIBLE DAMAGE TO
CITY OF BLACK RIVER
FALLS.
BUSINESS SECTION GONE
Hatfield Give Way, and Waters
Carry Destruction Down
the Valley.

business section of Black River Falls
Is in ruins, the homes of scores oil
farmers have been swept away with
probably loss of life and the main
dam at Hatfield, Wis. momentarily is
threatened with destruction which
would release flood that would carry
death and destruction before it, as a
result of the breaking of the west
dyke of the upper Dells dam, fol-
lowing incessant rains which filled the
immense reservoirs of the La Crosse
Water company to overfowing.
Half of the business section has
been utterly destroyed. together with
a considerable part of the residence
district, and it is admitted by the
townspeople who have taken refuge
on the high lands, unable to make even
an effort for the protection of their
stores and homes. that the city will
be utterly wiped off the map.
Whether or not lives have been
lost is not yet certain, as the people
have been scattered.
Business houSeS Destroyed.
Between % and 80 business houses,
comprising all the stores on both sides
have been destroyed, together with an
equal number of residences. The wat
ers are still rising rapidly and the de-
struction of the stores on the other
two business streets is predicted. The
fremont hotel, substantial three
story structure, was the first to go,
and many others followed.
City Is in Darkness.
The city is in darkness, the electric
light plant being one of the first
agencies to be put out of commits
sion, adding to the excitement a.
confusion of the hour
The disaster was caused by the sud-
den rise of the Black river behind the
two dams of the La Crosse Water
Power Company. following rains which
lasted almost week. The dams with
stood the pressure, but in each case
the river washed around the side, TAX
ing out a big section of the river bank
below in almost as great volume as
though the dam had been swept away.
Villages in Path of Flood.
Below Black River Falls are num-
Der of villages. including Roaring
Creek, Irving, North Bend Melrose
Holmen, Lytles, Midway and Onalaska,
and the high waters are due to strike
them Forces of men have been sent
out to strengthen the bridges in the
three counties along the river.
Cut off by telephone, the rcws from
Black River Falls was sent to La
Crosse by the Wisconsin Telephone
which stationed man on
the top of telephone pole who cut
in and sent in his report as we'll as the
flooded lines permitted.
Eleven Feet Of Water Over Dam.
Eleven feet OF water is pouring over
its crest and sweeping down on the
stricken city of Black River Falls
and the intermediate farms and settle.
ments. The village of Hatfield is un-
ployes constituting a small village near
the powerhouse, two miles below, We're
abandoned. in fear that the dynamit
ing of the canal would be insufficient
to ward off the destructive flood which
threatens to engulf the powerhouse
and settlement
The water power company has had
800 men fighting to prevent the disas-
ter for nearly week. Farmers had
been warned in advance to expect the
break at any moment and many of
them had fled with their families to
safety before the dyke gave way.
During the night, when the real
danger was apparent, a general alarm
was sent out Residents of the valley
were warned to fee for their lives.
in an effort to save those who could
not be reached by telephone, Care
taker True of the Dells Dam, mounted
a horse and rode at breakneck speed
during the remainder Of the night
warning farmers to escape. Wagons
were loaded with household goods and
started for high ground, but as the
country is fiat for many miles, it is
not known whether all escaped.
The present flood is the worst in
the history of Black River. Torren-
tial rains above the reservoir sent the
water up repeatedly and the efforts Of
800 laborers who worked to prevent
the disaster, were of no avail. The
workmen have been called off, as moth
ing more can be done, and practically
all depends upon the strength of the
big dam, and the elements.
ITALIAN GOVERNOR APPOINTED.