The Ohio with Full Banks

The Home News, February 26, 1859

The Ohio river paid little attention to our very respectful request last week to keep within due bounds, but made a desperate effort to overleap itself, and as a consequence came near falling on the other side. It was O-high-o with her. The swell of waters kept on coming until Monday evening, when they were within a couple of feet of being as high as the corner of Front and Ohio streets. The low grounds along the banks of “Red River” were overflown, with a portion of Front street between the bridges and below Butler street. The water even forced an entrance in sundry cellars, and in a few cases into the lower floors of tenements, located in low places. The back water was still as a lake, and was covered with every description of water craft that could be made to float – from the beautiful skiff to a dry goods box – filled with joyous men and women, boys and girls – shouting, singing and enjoying themselves right merrily.

The total rise here was about 32 feet, making about 40 feet in the channel – higher than at any time since 1852. No damage of any consequence has been done; only a trifling expense incurred by unnecessary removal of perishable articles.

A portion of the elevated sidewalk in Greene street, opposite the Gas Works, was washed away. One old lady was considerably frightened by her skiff being drawn through the sluiceway thus caused; and made the air vocal with her screams. A reverend gentleman became submerged at the same point, and needed frying out. A young M.D. while breaking the Sabbath, got a considerable ducking near the same vicinity, as he deserved. We would suggest to the young disciple of Esculapius that in future he select a wider field in which to exhibit his floundering propensities. We believe several others got a sousing at this place.