Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-10-19
MARSHFIELD
MAN SEES BLACK
RIVER FLOOD

Edward Horgan who resides at 303
North Maple was an eye witness of
the flood of last week that swept a.
way Black River Falls and left the
city in mourn ing. He is district line
man for the American Telegraph and
Telephone Company with headquarteri
in this city. On the morning of the
flood he had orders to go there to
protect the company's property and
arrived in time to see the first house
swept away. It was Horgan that swan
to the telephone pole and climbing
to the wires, with the help of a tele-
phone test, notified Eau Claire and
La Crosse of the great calamity that
not describe the aWfulness of the
mad rush of waters and he hopes neV
er again to see such a sight The
people had been notified Of the break
in the Hatfield dam and had plenty
of time to seek places of safety, 9th
erwise there would have been a great
loss of life. They went to the high
lands surrounding the town and in
tears and anguish watched the ruin
as one after another business blocks
or homes crumbled like egg shells
and disappeared. By a change of the
rivers course the business and best
residence stret were at the mercy of
the flood and no matter the size or
structure Of the building it crumbled
to earth and was lost to view. To
show the immensity and power of the
flood, the Catholic church, a costly
edifice back from the new river
bed a hundred feet and built on an e.
levation nearly 100 feet high, was IN
dermined as easily as if the ground
on which it stood had been made of
a disolving compound Fine dwelling
homes were not only washed away
but the ground on which they stood
also disappeared. The Freeman hotel
the leading hotel Of the city, caught
fire just before it crumbIed but there
was no need of other destroying ele-
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get under headway it slid into the
torrent with a hiss and a roar that
still rings in the ears of Mr.. Horgan.
One after another business blocks and
homes were swept away until the
scene of destruction to the onIookers
numbed their intellect and held them
| horror stricken. A mile below the
town where the river makes a bend
| growth of pine trees is where the
angry waters cast up its debris. Not
all of the pieces of buildings and
their. contents were cast up there but
Mr.. Horgan says the sight of the pro.
perty loss was awful to behold. Bolts
of cloth, bedding and furniture, in
fact everything kept and sold in store
was piled high against the trees or
scattered over the fields. 1t was
calamity of such immense magnitude
that a pen picture Of the great loss
| cannot describe its meaning. The
| property loss is estimated at over l.,
000,00 dollars. Mr.. Horgan who re
mained on the scene from Friday un-
til Sunday night says that he was
only too glad to get relief and turn
/ his back upon a scene Of desolation
he hopes never to see again. He is
probably the hero of the hour for it
was his act of bravery in informing
the outside world that gave warning
to cities and towns ahead of the mad
waters
The latest reports from Black River
Falls says the city will be built up
again. Two companies of militia are
guarding the place. Supplies and
aid is being sent.-Marshfield Her
aid.