The+Flood+of+1892

**The Flood of 1892** Original Author: Allison Anderson, A&S195 SP11  Revision Author:

Along the Rock and the Mississippi rivers, are several areas of low lying land and marshes. These areas are a natural formation for rising flood waters to flow into safely. As communities grow, the people within these communities move homes and businesses closer to the rivers for the easy access and use of these water ways. As these businesses and homes encroach on the rivers, levees and dams are built to control the rising waters during seasonal flooding. Although this approach can be relied upon to relieve the encroaching waters of seasonal floods, it can be dangerous during extreme flooding situations when the possibility of a levee or dam break are high. These low lying areas near waterways should not be used for residential and commercial use. These areas flood regularly and during extreme flooding are dangerous. Repairing structures after floods can also be very expensive for the city and the people who live there.

The Mississippi and the Rock rivers, both have a long history of major flooding which have destroyed businesses and displaced or killed people in the past. One of these major historical floods occurred in the spring of 1892. It was the first recorded flood of its kind, rising to levels never witnessed before in the Tri-State history. These major floods have continued to worsen and grow in numbers over the last fifty years. Perhaps the worsening of floods originated with the taking of the low lands and marshes, not leaving areas for the rising waters. Before mans arrival these low lying areas held the overflow of flood waters.

The flood of 1892 was an occurrence that was so extreme that people were not prepared for the depth of its range. June 24,1892 “The Rock Island Daily Argus” kept a vigil over the town as extreme weather brought rivers over their banks and into city streets. “The Argus” gives an account on the impending flood as an extreme storm system moved into the Tri-State area causing a steady rain lasting three weeks. The storm system dropped 3 1/2 inches of rain in a short period of time. Low lying areas were engulfed in several feet of water causing serious damage to structures in the area. Within hours the Electric cars were shut down as waters overflowed the tracks. Gaethje Florists shop was severely damaged as hot beds, plant beds, and out buildings were taken away by the flood waters. Streets suspended work crews at the Diamond Jo Warehouse and The Stove Works. Waters continue to rise six inches from morning till noon. This says “The Argus” may cause serious problems to the dike at the west end (Argus, 3).

June 25, 1892 “The Argus” took note that the Mississippi and the Rock rivers were continuing to rise. Levees were becoming dangerously weak as heavy rains continued with no end in sight. Home cellars along first Avenue and Fifteenth street are flooded as waters rise to 18’10 above flood stage (Argus, 8).

 June 25th, 1892 “The Argus” continues to take an account on the rising waters, explaining that it is the highest ever recorded. The waters now reached 19’40. People, as stated by “The Argus” are anxious and beside them selves with fear. Railroad levees were under water in the early morning hours of the 25th. The town of Milan was almost completely engulfed by the flood waters as the town people worked for hours trying to stop the levee from breaking away completely, but late last night the levee broke. Milan is now consumed by raging waters. “Homes and businesses have been taken down the river and the bridge may be close behind. Thirty to forty families have been left homeless” (Argus, 27). There is no doubt that rampaging flood waters are a desperate problem for the families and businesses along the Rock and Mississippi rivers.

“The Argus” continues to keep the flooding cities in the news. June 27th all streets running north of Second avenue are under water. This flood has now reached proportions never seen before. The Mississippi river has been reported as rising a half an inch every hour. People have been seen using makeshift skiffs to get around. The water is now standing a foot deep on 12 street, 1st and 3rd avenue. Night and day the Fifth Avenue sewer pump is kept running (Argus, 6).

 Sadly on June 27th “The Argus” reports the floods first death victim. 65 year old James Post, father in-law of James Msucker. He died as he tried to wade through the fast moving waters of Water street. Loosing his balance, he plunged into the waters as the swift current swept him away. His body has not been recovered (6). How wise is it to live so close to a water way.

If the rivers continue to rise, the waters will soon be washing over the cinder walk. This walk, acts as a dam. Once it has been breached, the City of Rock Island is in danger of severe flooding. The flood levels are now standing at 20.01 above flood level. Rains continue to fall. Numerous accounts of a dam break have been circulating through the Tri-City area, but at the time that the news paper posted this particular story, there had not been a dam break (6).

If the dam does break, how many deaths might there be? A dam is not a completely secure wall against a rising, raging river. A flooding, rampaging, river is an extreme force that is very hard to keep under control and many times walls to control them fail. The city of Milan’s bridge is still in danger of collapsing into the flood waters. Toll keeper Sweeny fears that it will not take more than a log to take it down at this point.

The “Argus” informs the people that on the 27th 1892, “Riverview Park is under water as is the river road all the way to Barstow, and the water is up to the top of board fences”. Corn Planter works, Moline Plow Company Foundry, Pipe Organ Works, The Scroll Works, Corn Planter Works, City Electric Works, shut down last night (6).

Messages from up river; Telegrams received at the Argus office: Dubuque, June 27. The water fell a foot last night and water now 17.5 and stationary. Clinton, June 27th- River is on a fall at rate of eight inches in 20 hours”(6).

As stated by the “Argus” on June 27th “ This afternoon word came of a decline of four inches at Port Byron.”.

June 28th, 1892 “The Argus” states the people in the lower lying areas have moved to their second floors to escape rising water. Two Rock Island ice companies are completely submerged by flood waters, even as waters fall to 18’85. Although waters recede we are not safe, reports the “Argus“. Destruction of the Milan area is high, as reported, “the little town now presents a desolate appearance” (Argus,6). Unfortunately the Tri City area realized in the 1892 flood, low lying areas near rivers are not safe when the rivers rise to extremes. These floods continue to occur. Is it reasonable to choose to live in the proximity of such dangers?

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">__Works Cited__

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">“In The Swim.” __The Rock Island Daily Argus__ (Rock Island, Il.). 27, June 1892: n. p6. Print.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">“How Milan Looks” __The Rock Island Argus__ (Rock Island Il.). 28, June 1892: n. p6. Print.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">“The Rivers Rampage” __The Rock Island Argus__ (Rock Island Il.). 25, June 1892: n. p8. Print.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">“The River Still Rising” __The Rock Island Daily Argus__ (Rock Island, Il.). 24, June 1892: n. p3. Print.

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