Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-19

ernment weather observer, said here
today. 81 see hopes for a continued
reformation OF the big bad man of
the valley Just how long this
good streak will last l would not
dare say, but II looks encouraging at
present.
'Tn the last twenty-seven years there
has been comparatively little change in
the channel around Kansas City, although
the stream has been put to severe test
by floods during the last twelve years
that have not been equalled since 1874. 1t
is reasonable to believe that these flood
conditions will not continue, so unless
people attempt too much forced land
reclamation. which has a tendency to
change a rivers course, the Missouri
ought TO treat land owners with more
consideration In the future"
River is Grim Joker.
This should be encouraging news to
farmers along the river bank who have
been living in constant dread of ex-
pectation inspired by stories and records
Of the Arissonri,ss queen trieiss. The Mis-
without conscience and grim joker into
the bargain. At the time one man
is cufsing the stream for his poverty
another may be blessing IL for his riches.
having acoaiired farm of 500 or 800 acres,
absolutely free of charge, where he
originally had one acre.
For instance, TO view the discouraging
side of IT, first James Love in 1888 re-
fused $4,000 for his farm Of 800 acres on
the river bank near Randolph, Mo. Since
then the river has washed It all away.
Town IL Washed Away.
But the rivers appetite is not alone for
farms. In the early days Barney. Neb.,
was a prosperous town. with railroad
station and a bank and many comfort
able residences. Thirty years ago Barney
was rival of Nebraska City, with the
chances favoring Barney. Then the
Missouri river swept in. The railroad
was forced TO move its tracks to higher
grounds. The people built dam and rip
raped the banks, all to no avail. Grad
ually the river swept up to the town and
house after house had to be moved toward
the bluffs. Those which could not be
moved were flooded and swept away until
finally, in 1907. a blacksmith's shop, all
that remained of the once prosperous
town of 1900 inhabitants. was carried
down the river. On the other hand, sew
eral towns which onGe were situated on
the river bank, are now left far away
from it by the rivers change OF course
Builds Hig Farm.
Last July the river decided to change
its channel near Wellington. Mo-. and a
few days later boats were sailing over
what had been farm land. Many suffered
but some gained by the trick. At the north
end of the district. cut off as an island
a woman owned about 500 acres. The river
began TO build out in the stream until il
formed 100 acres. separated from heI
land only by a narrow slough. The in.
tervenlng water. however. prevented heI
| from claiming II as an accretion, and Il
was surveyed by the Lafayette county
| court and sold to the woman for sl.25 ar
acre. The rivers prank left the lanc
| miles away from the channel and Ray
county people say her farm is wortf
4 100000
! Several years ago. j. d. shoewalter. ar
4 Independence. Mo-. attorney. owned 4
J farm in the same vicinity. The river at,
! It away until only a quarter OF an acr'
remained. but Mr.. shoewalter held on
: Al last the river began TO return hii
! land and the quarter of an acre grew
slowly until now II is lso acres larger thar
the original farm.