Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-10-08

awoke they found that the river had
risen twenty feet during the night and
that all the roads into the town had been
destroyed. The town Is cut off from out
side communication. but Il IL situated
on high ground and the danger Of It's
being destroyed as Black River Falls
vas l. not so great.
EiEht Business Houses standing.
BLACK RIVER FALLS. Wis. oct. H.
Fifty-three immediate downtown build
ings out OF sixty-one are in the waters
OF the Black river. along with at least a
dozen and a half houses. The loss IL
estimated by many NJ a.0O00OO. but the
more conservative place II At about $780,
CO., The flood has abated considerably.
though the danger Is not passed.
What once were the two principal
streets OF Black River Falls. Main and
Water. are submerged. Only a few foun-
cations show above the whirlpools. with
here and there a smokestack. The river
bed has been moved westward sixty five
rods and northward about seventy. five
reds The banks OF the river are slowly
slipping into the water
Most OF the city IL built on sand and
Il Is believed that before another day the
residence districts OF Price and German
Hills may be engulfed.
Hundreds OF residents have moved
their belongings FAR from the dwelling
sections of the city, some 20 nearby
farms. AZ daylight today the owners OF
property could be seen traversing the
Hill streets. carrying everything from
bed clothing 20 stoves. Many say they
viii not spend another night like last
night, IN dread OF being carried into
the river By the crumbling banks. but
viii remain far removed from possible
danger.
water Rises Rapidly.
The first appearance OF disaster was
manifested shortly after noon yesterday
when the vast area Of water. released
from the reservoir which was twenty
eight miles by river above this city
swept over the Hatfield dam. six miles
below and aided In volume by the heavy
rain OF the night before. struck the
Black River Falls with tremendous
force
Business men seeing a general demoli.
ton Of their property could. not be
averted. gathered a few belongings ana
made for Price Hin. directly north OF
Water street aud part OF which includes
Man street. One after another in rapid
succession, brick, stone and frame build
inEs we're undermined by the water and
slowly carried into the river.
All afternoon and night the sound Of
cracking timber and the terrific noise
OF hrick structures crashing into tho
floed could be heard Water splashed
throughout the city. striking terror into
the hearts Of those whose dwellings lay
near the waters creeping edge.
North Bend IL safe.
ST PAUL. Oct. THE telephons opsr-
ator al Melrose, Wis. this afternoon re-
ported that North BEND had not been
damaged by the flood. She said she had
talked with North Bend at noon and
the operator there said the town was
saved. Melrose experienced no flood
trouble the operator also said
Embankments BREAK at Wausaa,
WAUsAU, Wis. Oct The water In
Lake Wausau broke through the embank.
ments a. both ends OF the Rothschild
Gam today carrying away tons OF earth
and deing damage amounting 10 several
thousand dollars. Dynamite blasting was
resoited 20 az the west end Tor a greater
eaannel 20 draw away the water from
the east END. where Il IL flowing throue n
Inc streets, fOr fear Il viii undermine
several costly buildings
The overflow rs reported 10 be due TO
the flood debris and logs from booms
which have pinched the gates Of the dam