Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-26
PLATTE HIGH AT FREMONT
River Rising Slowly and Big Flood
is Expected.
DYNAMITE Is FREELY USED
Large Gangs of Men Breaking I'm
lee Observation-Disclosures Prepare
to Protect Their Bridges
in state.


The Platte river rise Is inundating low
fields in the vicinity Of Fremont between
Fremont and North Bend and from a
point four miles west OF Fremont to the
city limits water is flowing In the bitches
along the Union Pacific track.
For the first time since the flood five
years ago the old channel between Muir
phys and Fremont south Of Fremont Is
carrying water. Several farmers have
left their homes and the dozen families
residing on Fremont island have gone to
that city.
Last night gangs of dynamlters were
working incessantly TO prevent the forIna.
tlon OF Ice gorges. Quantities OF sacked
sand were scattered along the dyke and
the levee south and west OF Fremont for
use In ease of an emergency ~
Late last night the Ice was stll intact
and the water was slowly rising.
II In freely predicted that the Platte
river win do much damage east and west
Of Fremont. The city is protected by
levees and Will probably escape.
Missouri Pacific Prepared.
The Missouri Pacific Is prepared to cope
with floods. according to Mr.. Higgins Of
st. Louis, assistant TO the general man
ager. Mr.. Higgins Is In town and gives II
out that at every point where there Is a
bridge over a stream OF any size. duantl-
ties Of dynamite is stored to be used In
breaking up the Ice. In each instance.
the ice will be thrown before the ice
begins 10 move. thus shatterlng II into
fragments before the foes can reach the
piling or piers of the bridges.
Reports to the Union Pacific are TO the
effect that the Blue river ror distance
of seventy-five miles south Of Beatrice Is
clear Of ice and that II has passed out
Of the stream without destroying or dam
aging any of the railroad. or wagon
bridges over the stream.
snow at Kansas city.
Tom Hughes. travelling freight and
passenger agent for the Missouri Pacific
spent Sunday in Kansas City. watching
the heaviest snow storm that he ever
saw. While It was clear, calm and bright
in Omaha all Sunday. Kansas City was
in the grip Of the hardest storm Of the
winter. according TO Mr.. Hughes. The
storm set in Saturday night and when It
ceased Sunday forenoon. snow had fallen
to depth Of two feet. completely demor-
alizing traffic for 100 miles around Kansas
City.
lee In the Missouri.
There is a slight rise nouceable In the
Missouri river at this point, but the ice
to hold solid. except for a dis
tance above the Douglas street bridge
and along the west bank Of the stream.
Carter and Florence lakes are covered
with water to a depth of several inches.
but beneath the ice is solid and eighteen
to twenty inches thick.
Some Ice Breaks.
The first sign Of a breakup Of the ice
in the Missouri river in this vicinity oc-
Cured Monday forenoon Just below the
Illinois Central bridge in East Omaha
There field Of an acre or more Of ice on
the north side Of the channel heaved and
loose from the main body
swung out into the north channel that
has been open greater portion Of the
winter.
For a few minutes the Ice field moved
down the river. going couple of hundred
yards. One corner caught on a sand bar
and swinging about. the entire field yeered
To the north, striking the shore, soon
and going TO pieces. float
Ing away in small chunks.
Under the Illinois Central bridge the
river Is open nearly one-haIf the distance
from the north shore.
Mississippi Rising Rapidly.
ST. LOUIS. March 3.-Further floods
along the Mississippi river were immi- |
nent this morning. because OF the rising
temperature which followed yesterdays !
heavy snow in this state. Kansas and |
Illinois.
The river was rising slowly here and |
'tages were advancing rapidly at points |
sbove St Louis. while the rivers are 4
everywhere. The Illinois is at /
lood stage. for most Of its length and
Ierious overflows are expected.
The Missouri Is rising rapidly at Fulton,
No.. and there is anxiety over its stage
Continued on Second Page)