Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-10-13
PEOPLE FLEE IN TIME
TO SAVE THEIR LIVES
Wausau, Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire,
Prescott, Spring Valley and
Other Towns are Damaged
by the High
tSreams.

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 overlooking.
The situation at Black River Falls,
the prosperous little city of 1000 PEG.
pie, is worse by far than was feared
when the deluge burst upon the un.
fortunate city.
Half of the business section has
been utterly destroyed. together with
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 Is and 80 business houses,
comprising all the stores on both sides
Of two streets in Black River Falls,
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 water, flowing with resistless
current and in tremendous volume,
undermined one big building after an.
other and as 1t collapsed and crum-
bled to pieces the debris was largely
carried away. The fremont hotel. a
substantial three-story structure, was
the first to 60, and many others fol-
lowed.
No precautions could be taken to
stop the wrecking of the town, the
residents finding 1t difficult prob
lem to secure safety or themselves,
their families and their more valu-
able possessions. None of the stocks
in the stores were saved and little of
the heavier furniture in the houses;
the people, although they knew Of the
overfowing of the Hatfield dam, show
ing little fear of its effects until the
waters burst upon them.
City 10 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 and con-
fusion of the hour.
The disaster was caused by the sud
den rise of the Black river behind the
two dams o the La Crosse Water Pow
er 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 abig section of the river bank
and coming down upon the country
below in almost as great volume as
though the dam had been swept away.
The $5,OO0.00o property of the water
power company is not believed to be
greatly damaged. the breaks on the
side relieving the pressure. and the
main dam, which Is concrete struc-
ture 100 feet thick at the base and SO
feet at the top. will probably stand all
the force which may be directed
against it.
Besides the damage at Black River
Falls, 4 great tract Of surrounding
country was overrun. Effort was made
to send warning to farmers, but tho
telephone wires we're the first to 60
down and the fate of many settlers.
who knew nothing of the flood until
it struck their immediate vicinity. is
the cause of apprehension.
Below Black River Falls are a mum.
Der Of villages, including Roaring
Creek, Irving, North Bend. Melrose,
Holmen. Lytles, Midway and Onalaska
aud 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 news from
Black River Falls was sent to La
Crosse by the Wisconsin Telephone
company, which stationed a man or
the top of telephone pole who cut
in and sent in his report as we'll as the
flooded lines permitted.
In a final desperate effort to save
the big dam, which is still intact ant
holds back millions Of gallons OF water
workmen dynamited the banks of the
canal leading from the Hatfield reser
voir to the power house, releasing the
water into the bed of the river be
low and thus relieving slightly the
strain on the main dam.
If the main Hatfield dam gives way
the flood which will follow probably
will carry death and destruction dowr
the Black River valley. officials O.
the company, however, say the dam i:
one of the strongest in the country ant
they expect it to withstand the strain
The structure is two feet wider at Its
base than its total height and Is built
of reinforced concrete.
Eleven Feet Of Water Over Dam.
Eleven feet of water Is pouring ove1
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
der water and the cottages OF en-