Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1935-08-15
MUSKINGUM RIVER HERE
REACHES 1913 FOOT STAGE

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and eagerly watched from points
of safety, the Muskingum river rose
steadily and rapidly, the forepart
of last week, until it attained it's
peak Friday morning, just Is feet
short of the 1913 flood. This height
exceeded all other recorded floods
excepting the 1898 which was less
than foot higher. The gauge
ed Aug. 8 at p. m.
The mighty Muskingum, aptly
termed ''the Hudson of the west,
received swollen waters from creeks
to the north of us around the Co
shocton vicinity and proceeded TO
wreak destruction along the river
banks and adjacent territories.
This flood, the first recorded IN
August, found it's way above the
highways and into rich grain fields
in the rural regions, and as mercl-
lessly sought it's way into business
establishments and residences IN
the urban centers. Semi-terrorized
people. in danger of having their
crops and houses inundated by the
worst flood since 1913, fastened TO
prepare for the evident disaster
that was to follow.
Reports came from previously
stricken areas that the river was
continuing to rise Tuesday and
Wednesday, and that Malta-McCon-
nelsville was to taste of natures
ire. Still citizens were skeptical
that the river would invade the
main streets, until the ominous,
muddy, waters crept into Cochran's
tobacco shop. Then the full sig
nificance of the food was real
lied. Frantic, last-minute efforts
were made to protect life and prop
erty. The A. A. Coulson store moved
first floor valuables above the sup
posed crest. Thursday and Friday
the waters engulfed the streets on
both sides of the river.
Late Friday and Saturday the
majestic Muskingum wearied of its
undaunted onslaught on the twin
cities, and slowly retreated from
it's commanding position. Monday,
at the time of this writing, 1T has
left the Malta streets, but fingers
high on the river road on the Nc
Connelsville side. Considering the
condition of the ground for this
time of year, the river is falling
rapidly.
In it's wake, a thick scum of
mud has settled on the flooded
areas, and its mark is still seen
on land projections.
Bridge Endangered
Last Thursday evening, state
highway officials agreed the bridge
connecting the two towns was un-
safe for travel. For a while, it
was feared the bridge might go;
but it didnt-water separated the
bridge from terra firma on both
sides. A state highway truck con-
veyed human traffic from the Nc
Connelsville side to. the bridge.
People were free to cross at their
own risk to the other side, where
row boats served as ferries to safe
territory. State officials were Of
the opinion that the damage to
highways alone would reach ST.
100000.
CCC Camp Inundated
With the Muskingum tapping
expectantly at their feet, occupants
of the CCC camp in upper Malta
were forced to look elsewhere for
shelter. They moved to the ar
mory in McConnelsville, where
they erected temporary quarters
until the rivers wrath would abate.
Pumps at the water works were
likewise endangered by the swirl
ing aquatic mass, but the ma
chinery plodded steadily on, pump
ing water to McConnelsville's cit
izens. The water rose to the top
step of the building, fingered, then
retreated, thus saving our water
supply and relieving citizens of in
tense worry.
Too Much Rain
Continual thunder showers early
last week in the Coshocton and
Newcomerstown vicinity were the
causes for the huge imitation that
so financially irked lowland dwell
ers. Clouds seemingly opened wide
and poured forth their contents
with reckless abandon, at the head
waters. Coshocton suffered the
greatest blow of all, the water
nearing the 1913 crest. Rains at
Newcomerstown and Coshocton
tripled the amount of rainfall here.
Rehabilitation
somewhat staggering, stout hearted
farmers and business men are going
back to their possessions, ready to
rebuild, clean, and thus GRACE evil
dence of the worst food the young
er generation has witnessed. Farm
ers who saw their spring and sum-
mer work swept away in a single
blast from the Muskingum, heavy
heartedly went back to rebuilding.
Throughout the entire flood pc
riod, which is apparently about
over, at no time was McConnels-
vile without the aid of electricity
or gas, a situation that puts feath-
ers in the caps of gas company and
Ohio Power company workers.
The flood had a devastating ef-
feet. 1t is the recovering from
such blows as this, however, and
subsequent betterments that have
stamped the Muskingum valley as
thriving community.
The foregoing splendid account
was written by John R. Baker of
this place, son of Mr. and Mrs. r.
R. Baker, who completed his fresh
man year in journalism this spring,
at Miami University.
Business Places Flooded
The following business places
were flooded, the water being on
the floors:
Standard Oil bulk station, A. A.
Coulson & Co., Maytag Co., M. &
M. Produce, Edgewater Service
Station, Morris restaurant, Ernest
Elliott Coal Yard, Wagner Oil Co.,
Clover Farm Store, Dempster &
McGrath Filling Station, all in NAL
ta In McConnelsville-Lo &