The Holt County Sentinel

SATURDAY'S DELUGE.

The Heaviest Rainstorm that has Visited this Vicinity in Many Years. The Damage to Farmers and R. R. Co. Very Severe.

The rainstorm last Saturday afternoon was the severest which this section of country, for a radius of fifty miles, in all directions, has ever known. The reports from those portions of Kansas and Nebraska, contiguous to this section, show that the streams were all out of their banks, and the growing crops badly injured. Barns and houses have been swept away and horses and cattle drowned. What the total loss will be is only a matter of conjecture.

In addition to the heavy rain fall, in Clinton and DeKalb counties there was the most severe hail-storm ever known in that section, hail falling three inches in diameter.

The running of trains on all roads entering St. Joe was suspended, and the reports show that thousands of dollars worth of railroad property has been destroyed.

It is known generally that the rain of last Saturday did a great deal of damage to farmers, but it is believed the extent of the damage is not as bad as at first supposed, as reports are coming in contradicting the first reports of a total loss, showing only a half and two thirds loss.

The only place where the corn is not injured any is on the hill tops. On the hill sides where the corn was drilled it is all washed out, and on the hill sides where it was put into the ground with a planter. On the hill sides where the corn is up, the water washed out the dirt between the rows, leaving the corn with the roots exposed, and so high that it cannot be hilled.

In the bottom lands the crops are not a total loss, but are badly damaged, by being covered over by mud and drift.

The storm extended north to Graham, six miles southeast of which place there was only a light sprinkle on Saturday. The country in that neighborhood is badly in need of rain.

The majority of farmers in this county have replanted their corn, and are in good spirits, being confident of raising a good crop yet, as corn, planted as late as the middle of June, in this locality, will produce a good crop.

The loss will be quite heavy to the county, as many bridges were carried away by the raging torrents. As far as we have been able to learn, the following is the result of the storm's ravages in different portions of the county.

BLUFF CITY AND THE BOTTOM.

A terrible rain storm passed over Bluff City and vicinity Saturday, May 26th. The rain fell in great torrents for eight hours, causing the small streams to swell out of their banks and raise three feet higher than they ever were known before, sweeping everything before them. The loss in the way of corn, fences, wagons, plows, logs and hogs being washed away, could hardly be estimated.

The water raised to such a height that part of the machinery in the Schlozsbauer Mill was covered with water and mud; the well was filled with mud and water and nearly 100 logs were taken from the yard, and a large quantity of lumber was damaged, which will cause a loss, aggregating nearly three hundred dollars. Mr. Gifford was also damaged about $500, having about 100 acres of corn under water.

The railroad track, near the mill, was washed off the grade and covered with mud and drift wood for a quarter of a mile; also at the Scott Branch there was a quarter of a mile of track washed away.

The loss to the railroad company will run into the thousands. The damage along the mill creek was enormous. All of John Seyfert's bottom land was under water. Mr. Seyfert's

away, causing quite a loss to the county.

Mike and Ed. Prussman, who are farming the Gilbraith farm had 40 acres of corn washed away; also fences and the bridge at their place. They will be losers about $200.

Daniel Hahn had about 20 acres overflowed. Richard Hahn lost a wagon, stalk rake and plows. They were seen floating under the railroad bridge. Uncle Billy Banks had his share of water. He had about 100 acres under water.

Mr. Dawson, living on Mr. Bark's farm near the stave factory, was obliged to move his family in the factory as the water covered the floor in his house. It was a severe blow on Mr. D., two of his children were down with the measles.

Jacob Markt had 40 acres under water. He had 10 acres of wheat ruined; corn was washed out with mud, and fences washed away. The water carried off several hogs from their pen. His loss will amount to $200.

Peter Sykes and others living on the Davis Farm will lose all their corn. There were 400 acres under water. Jack Jimison's place was almost under water. It would be a hard task to estimate the damage to the bottom, as it was under water as far as the eye could see. The railroad near Pe

pes' was washed out; one bridge was slipped off its foundation. Trains were not able to pass over the road for 36 hours.

NEW POINT.

Possibly the hardest rain that has visited this part of the country in the history of man, passed over this last Saturday. In a short time the creek had risen out of its banks and running into the small building oning the B. F. Kunkel store where Alvin Coburn had a quantity under twie stored away. When the creek began to run in it it had to be gotten out and that quick, rain or no rain.

Saturday afternoon the Nodaway river raised at the rate of two and a half feet per hour. Those having cattle bottom pastures are watching the river with anxious eyes; many bridges were washed away in this section.

RICHVILLE.

The most destructive rain in the number of years visited this place last Saturday. Corn was badly damaged, Many farmers will have to replant their entire fields. The bridge below the school house washed out. The water was so high in the creek that it carried away a large number of logs and several thousand feet of lumber at Mr. L. Waezle's saw-mill. The Nodaway river is very high, and farmers along its banks are very apprehensive for their crops.

IN OTHER LOCALITIES

At Kunkel Town, the branch rose so high as to sweep away and pap Kunkel's rock dam, that he had just completed last spring for purpose of running the water into his fish ponds. Both of his ponds are full of water and his fish all mixed together as he had them separated for the spawning season.

In the neighborhood of McIntyre's, Hoffmann's and Markt's, east and southeast of Oregon. The storm was very severe, many bridges over streams in these localities, being washed away. The Mill Creek bridge is gone two near Fred Markt's were washed out and one near Judge McIntyre's was lifted from its foundation, leaving it in an unsafe condition. On the bluff road to Mound City, and on the road to Mound, a great many bridges are said to be washed away.

The loss to farmers and the county cannot be easily estimated; to say it will run away up in the thousands. Hundreds of acres of corn were washed out and under water at and near Mineral Springs. The bridge on the road running east from Mound City, near Ad. Glenn's farm was taken out by the storm.

loss will be several hundred dollars.

The southern and central portions of this county suffered the most from the storm.

The new 10 foot span combination bridge, near Mr. Seyfert's was washed