The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-10-12
TOWN IN DISTRESS, CALL
FOR SUPPLIES IS ISSUED


TOWN IN DISTRESS, CALL
FOR SUPPLIES IS ISSUED
La Crosse, Wis, Oct. 9.--Looking
their little city, the people of Black
River Falls. whose homes were wiped
out yesterday and last night by the
Black river. today faced the problem
Of subsistence Almost every scrap OF
food In the city, except that in houses
out of the reach Of the food, was des-
troyed. Every grocery store and meat
market and other food depots in the
city are gone.
An attempt was made early today
to organize the work of relief. Mayor
McGillivray sent messages to La Crosse
and other cities appealing for food and
shelter. In La Crosse a committee was
set to work at once and at noon guam
tiles of food and tents were sent
Everything on the four business
streets comprising the heart of the
town has been swept away. The North
western railroad bridge over the Black
river at that point Is still standing, but
is swaying as though the heavy spans
were supported only by cables. Train
service is cut off at Black River Falls
and no physicians even are allowed to
cross on foot.
At Hatfield. 10 miles above Black
River Falls, the river had today cut
a new channel and appeared where 1t
was never known to run before. The
main channel has moved more than
500 feet on to what has until now been
dry land. AT the dam the pressure
has ceased and the waters have fallen
far below the crest The main part
of the big structure is still standing.
The power house, two miles down
from Hatfield, was flooded,
The nearest towns to this city are
Melrose, 10 miles down the river with
population of $50, and North Bend
rs miles distant, with 100 in habit
ants.
Streets Submerged.
What once We're the two principal
streets of Black River Falls, Main
street and Water street are submerged
Only a few foundations show above
the whirlpools with here and there a
smoke stack. The river bed has been
moved westward, 65 rods and north
ward about rs rods The banks of the
river are slowly slipping into the wa
ter.
Most of the city is built on sand and
It is said 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 to nearby farms. At day
could be seen traversing the hill
streets. carrying everything from bed
clothing to stoves Many say they will
not spend another night like last night
in dread of being carried into the river
by the crumbling banks, but will re-
main far removed from possible dan.
ger.
First Approach of Water.
The first appearance of the disaster
was manifested shortly after noon yes
terday, when the vast area of water
released from the reservoir, 2S miles
by-river above this city. swept over the
Hatfield dam, six miles below anC
aided in volume by the heavy rain OF
the night before. struck the Black Riv.
er Falls with tremendous force.
Business men seeing a general de.
molition Of their property could not be
averted, gathered a few belongings anC
made for Price Hill, directly north O,
Water street and part Of which includes
Main street One after another in rap
Id succession, brick, stone and frame
buildings were undermined by the wa.
ter and slowly carried into the river
All afternoon and night the sound Of
cracking timbers and the terrific noise
| of brick structures crashing into the
| flood could be heard.
Waves splashed throughout the city
| striking terror into the hearts of thos,
whose dwellings lay near the water.
| creeping edge.
| The postoffice and several banks wer,
| among the buildings swept away.
The money from the banks was saved
| and is stored IN the court house
| -
La Crosse, Wis. Oct. 1.-THE ZOO
| inhabitants of Black River Falls toda,
| are without food or shelter, afte
| spending a night on the hills watchin,
the waters from the flood Of the Blacl
| river overrun their town. Through
| Mayor McGill, they sent out an appea
to the people Of the country for assist
| ance.
| The town continues cut off from tn
\ world by regular telegraph and tele
phone, and 1t was only by again resort
ing to the expedient Of sending a maj
| up a telephone pole on the edge O
town that the cry for help could be sen
out.
| Need Food and Shelter.
| Mayor McGill said that the peopl
needed both food and tents in which L
| live until their homes could be rebuilt
The population fled yesterday withou
| stopping to take extra clothing. The
| spent disagreeable day under a piti
less rain. but In the evening the wealth
| er cleared and there was less sufferin
from exposure during the night.
| All along the hills camp fires burned
| while below In the darkness could b
heard the rush Of waters engulfing tn
1 cify