scans from newspaper collection
of
Ruth
Adams-Battle
Transcribed by Dorothy Wiland
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| The Flood At Cincinnati - Swept Away | The Flood at it's Highest Point, From Price's Hill Looking East Part 1 | The Flood at it's Highest Point, From Price's Hill Looking East Part 2 |
The subsidence of the great flood in the Ohio River leaves behind it scenes of terrible devastation and distress. Although relieved of the awful dangers that threatened while the waters were at their highest, the unfortunate people whose homes have been swept away, whose business has been ruined, are left in a state of pitiable destitution, and prompt and efficient measures are necessary to prevent wide-spread suffering among them. Americans have never been backward in giving where appeals have been made to their generosity, either from home or abroad, and in this case they are responding liberally to the cry of distress that comes from the banks of the Ohio.
Our illustrations give a vivid picture of the extent of the calamities which have befallen the people of that region. One of the most frightful incidents was the breaking of the embankment at Louisville, by which nearly a square mile of territory within the city limits was flooded. There was a slight break in the embankment on Monday, February 12, but it was speedily repaired, and in spite of the warning the inhabitants of the low grounds refused to leave their dwellings, and most of them went to bed as if no danger were impending. About midnight their slumbers were suddenly disturbed by a rush of roaring water. The embankment had given way, and in a moment the turbid flood was sweeping through the streets. The panic was indescribable. The roar of the waters could not drown the cries and shrieks of the terrified women and children as they endeavored to make their escape from the tottering buildings. Some succeeded in wading to higher ground, on which bonfires were quickly kindled as beacon lights to guide the unfortunates. Others were rescued in boats propelled by strong and resolute men. Many of the sufferers saved nothing but their night clothing, happy to save their lives, and leaving all their household goods to be swept away. As most of the houses were small cottages of frail construction, they were quickly overturned or torn to pieces. Several of these dwellings were crushed before the inmates could escape. In some cases sick people were taken through the windows, and carried to a place of safety in boats, and several people were rescued from trees into which they had climbed. Many pathetic incidents took place while the brave rescuers were at work, at the risk of their own lives. We are told of cottages overwhelmed in the darkness, with all their inmates, when help was just at hand, of homeless families shivering about the bonfires. Two drunken men were saved with the greatest difficulty, as they could not be made to comprehend their danger, and were almost uncontrollable. One little girl refused to leave her home until she had found her pet kitten. An old negro, half frozen and pitiably scared, was found shivering on the top of a coal heap, guarding a wretched little rabbit.
Great difficulty was experienced in some cases in persuading poor people to abandon their household goods. They would insist on loading the boats that came to their rescue with bedding and furniture, and in some instances could only be restrained by force from doing so. One poor old man cried as if his heart would break because he was not allowed go load the boat with some cane bottomed chairs which were the pride of his house.
It is impossible as yet to form even an approximate estimate of the
extent
of the damage caused by the floods of Cincinnati, Louisville, and other
places along the Ohio River, but there is no question that it will
reach
hundreds of thousands of dollars. The loss arising from the
interruption
to business alone is enormous. The loss of human life has been happily
small, even in places where the danger seemed to be most imminent.
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