Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-10-12
FLOOD OF 1900
IS SURPASSED
Conditions Along the River in Grand Rapids Changed Since
Floods of 1880 and 1oOO---Water at Bodettes
Shoe Shop One Foot Higher Than in 1000.
CELLARS FILLED WITH WATER AND
MANY HOUSES ARE SURROUNDED

~& - * A 4 ~.
All day Sunday the 8th day of
October 1911, thousands of people
paraded the streets of Grand Rapids
watching the waters of the Wisconsin
river rise higher and higher until
it reached the high tide of 1900, when
we had II feet and inches Of wa
ter. The city authorities engaged
men and taems to haul sand, fill sacks
and prepare to do everything possible
to keep the raging waters of the
Wisconsin river off the business
streets Of Grand Rapids and they
succeeded. On the bank Of the river
opposite the T. B. Scott Library build
ing along the retaining wall the en-
tire length they fastened twelve inch
plank to the iron railing thereon and
supported them with sacks filled with
sand. This saved First and Second
streets from being flooded and washed
out as they were in 1900 and 1880.
They also siren ngthened the dyke neal
D. M. Huntington residence at the
eddy. This was a wise move.
The construction of the Consolidat-
ed Water Power & Paper Co. s mill
and dam in 1904, has changed the riv
er conditions at this point on the
Wisconsin river considerably since
the floods Of 1880-1881 and 1900. The
channel. has been changed and the
width of the river opposite the Re
porter Printing Office has been mar
rowed at least one-third. This fore
es the entire flow Of water in the
Wisconsin river between the Consol-
idated mill and a point just opposite
of the Amusement Hall. This change
makes the water channel and condi-
tons much different than what they
were in 1900.
The construction of the Consoli-
dated dam and dyke was SO substan-
TALLY done that we believe there is
nothing to fear from that source, but
we do believe that the present re
tanning wall extending from E. T.
Bodette's shoe-shop to the Christian
Science church should be raised at
least four #. more and extended west
to the northeast corner of the Amuse
ment Hall foundation so as to protect
this part of the city. Unless this
is done the future welfare Of the bu-
siness section of Grand Rapids will
never be safe. The flood of 1911
should teach the citizens of Grand
Rapids a lesson. If this city should
be visited again with a flood of Is
feet similar to what we had in 1880,
no telling what damage would have
been under the present conditions
of things. Our present experience
should teach us to prepare for sim
liar or higher water in the future.
From telephone messages received
from Tomahawk, Merrill, Wausau anQ
Stevens Point, considerable damage
has been done to dams and milling
property all along the Wisconsin
river by the high water of 1911 The
Consolidated Water Power & Paper
Co, suffered most here, their loss
will reach some where near 81 900.
Their pretty island upon which their
office is located was badly washed
and damaged by the overflow of wa
ter.
Belle Isle, upon which the resi-
dence of E. M. Pease is located and
that of Geo. w Mead, which is now
in course of construction, were nei-
ther one affected by this stage of
water. Neither easements had any
water and it would take high water
of 1880 to flood their easements. This
is delightful news not only to the
owners of that island, but to their
friends, as well. A small part Of the
late filling made by Mr.. Geo. w.
Mead was washed out on the west
shore ine-none on the east side.
The roadway on Second street
south was flooded from the new Con-
gregational church block to Mrs.
c. NJ. Webb's residence, and some of
the houses facing on said street be-
tween these points, were surrounded
with water. For a while Sunday e
yening many of the families prepar-
ed to move out. As it was, they were
packed UP and ready to do so.
E. T. Bodette the shoemaker,
who owns the first building on
the east bank of the Wisconsin
river near the 7. B. Scott Libra
ry building says, that the high
water of 1911 was at least one
foot higher on his building and
premises than it was In the flood
of 1900.
R. NJ. Levin's building next
south was not there in 1900,
but it being on posts was
IN danger and the occupant
Chas. Giese moved his saloon
fixtures out on Sunday in which
he showed good judgement for
the same night it came pretty
near floating off. Had it not
been standing in an eddy o.