The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-04-01
PII|NG THE SAND BAGS
ON TOP OF THE [EvEES

: =
half Of the work was completed yes
terday and the work would have been
finished but for shortage in labor.
The labor situation became so serious
yesterday that the commanding Of
ffcer in charge OF the troopers, Colonel
Dan Moriarty. Seventh regiment, 1. N.
G., sought permission OF the citizens
executive committee yesterday to take
personal charge Of the situation. He
expressed surprise at the apparent
lack Of activity, and martial law is
still prospect. II any more trouble
is experienced today Governor Dunno
will be asked to declare the city un-
der martial law and the army officers
will then impress labor.
The naval reserves arrived from
Chicago this morning, commanded by
Commander McMunn. They brought
two cutters, one whaleboat and a
steam launch, which will be used for
the water patrol and rescue work in
the event Of disaster
Grave fear is expressed for the
safety of the drainage district. Late
last night slide occurred in a fill
ed break In the Big Four levce on the
Ohio river side of the district, and 1t
appeared as If the entire fill, about
100 feet in length, would be torn out.
An alarm was given and the work of
holding back the water, which was
pouring through the rock ballast on
top of the levee, was commenced. The
water was checked after a hard fight
and it is believed that the district is
safe at this point with the river at
the present stage.
The drainage district which is on
the north OF Cairo, contains nearly g.
900 acres ofHand, much of which is
occupied by lumber yards and mills.
The district was flooded last spring
to the depth of ten to twenty feet.
Cairo is protected from the drainage
district water in the event of inunda-
ton by the Illinois Central approach
to the Kentucky bridge which is more
than 90 feet. higher than the top of
| the lower levee. Entrance to the city
is obtained through a subway but
this has been bulkheaded and it is
water-tight. More than 10000 sacks
were used in bracing the heavy tim
Der bulkheads, set in concrete grooves.
| No danger is anticipated from this
source although it will be watched
carefully while danger threatens.
rJ{ {~I,
cradle excitement and before the
exact truth became known out OF
town correspondents had informed
their papers that the Cairo levees
were broken.
The drinking water supplied BY the
city water company has dark brown
taste. There is an unlimited supply
of artesian we'll water on hand, but
| it is not convenient to the works.
With the soldier and sailor boys
encamped in st. Mary's park in full
war regalia, Cairo appears more like
city threatened by invading war
riors rather than by invading water
Many of the troopers have been as.
signed to hard labor on the levees,
while others are sentenced to tote
around enough arms to sink dread.
nought.
There are very few il any women
and children in Cairo. The general
/ exodus came Sunday and people have
been leaving in streams since then
until the city is almost depopulated OF
women and children.
Big Four Is Holding.
CAIRO, ILL.,, April 1.-The drainage
district back of Cairo is still protect
ed today by the Big Four levee from
the flood waters of the Ohio because
OF adequate patroling. Late last night
three slides were discovered in the
/ Big Four levee and before any reaI
damage was done the water was
checked. While flooding Of the drain
age district would not affect Cairo
/ directly 1t would cut the town off
from all railroad communication witt
the outside world
| (Contfnued IN naoa oN