The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-03-23

every mans premises in the vicinity
/ in many cases literally driving away
families domiciled in the neighsor
hood 1t has left its mark on the
land near the shore so that the set
tiers may hereafter know how much
is claimed by 1t. II is in many places
from two to four miles wide. A
number Of dwellings We're carried
tirely away This calamity will be
doubiy hard on the sufferers, as
has not only destroyed the presen
crops but has taken away the old
crop that was in store for the pres
'tent season. The Skunk; toos not
having the fear OF men before its
eyes, has been spreading itself in ev.
cry direction taking along with it
every obstacle that could not with
stand a perfect rush of sweeping wat
ers. Judging from appearances on
would suppose 1t determined to de.
clare itself navigate without any
act Of legislature) by removing, with
out the aid of civil law, everything
calculated to hinder small crafts
from taking an uninterrupted voyage
to the Father of Waters.
- - -
"On Saturday, a man named San
dert De Yong, a native of Holland
was drowned near Union Mills
Now, look here, if we had not read
that in the Herald we would not be,
Ilieve it. What on earth could tempt
la .Hollander to go that far from Pella
in that early day? Fortunately
however, the Herald explains that he
was bridge carpenter, and probably
drove over there from Lake Prairie
township. To resume: "
He and a number of other men
were engaged in replacing the floor
ing of the bridge when he slipped
through and persisted in the waters
without the bystanders being able to
assist him.
"A young man was drowned in the
Des Mcines river near Fort Des
Moines on Friday, and two small
boys near Red Rock few days
since"
During this season -four or mea'
was very difficult to obtain, even in
Oskaloosa. A pair of burrs or corn
crackers were bought upon the front
carriage of a wagon from Agency
City, and attached to the gearing of
the saw.mill, which stood on the pres
ent site of the Hawkeye Overall fac
tory building, and here was meal and
hOminy made for the settlement Il.
the midst of this western sea of mud
and water.
- - -
And speaking about floods, makes
us think of an incident that DR.. Hen.
derson once related to us. When
the Doctor was actively in the prac.
tice at Old Muchakinock, he had
faithful qolored driver named Will
liam. but better known as Doc"
Southall. The two had been in Us
kaloosa on business one day, and
while here it rained some. Return
ing home they reached Little Mucna.
KNOCK Creek, and a regular sea of
water spread out before them. Al
ways faithful and unafraid, Doc"
hesitated in taking the rig across
as no bridge was in sight. DR.. Hen.
derson asked him if he had lost his
nerve and was afraid to make the
venture. mo Sab! No Sah!" protest
ed Doc" rs not afraid and l am
prepared to met my Lawd, but hate
to go, Doctor hate to go" why
what's the matter, William" asker
the Doctor. II never knew you tC
hesitate on anything before" We'll
the TACK is" said William, 'deres a
lot of water dere, and Is afraid if we
done bOfe get drOWnded, and de boss
get drOwrded and de buggy get car.
led down stream, dere won't be muffin
left for Swain to write up in de Her
aid, and nobody will never know what
become of us. But Is no gutter
DOctah, and if yOu's willin' to sacrifice
your chances in immortality, here
goes. Get ap dere, Bess and Jim
90 lang! 'speck it's jest as hon
Orable to be washed away into eter
nifty as it is to take de smallpox and
die. Go lang, | say! And the,
went