Rain Heavy and General Streams Up

Marietta Daily Times, Saturday, March 29, 1924:

The heavy rains of Friday night have caused the Ohio River and its upper tributaries to rise, and big stages are in sight for both the Ohio and Muskingum. The Muskingum is putting out a large volume of water, the rainfall at Zanesville having been heavy - the government gauge registering 2.18 inches in 12 hours. The stage of water at Zanesville was recorded as 21-1/2 feet and rising at the rate of 9 inches an hour at 9 o'clock Saturday morning.

The rainfall at Pittsburgh was .90 of an inch, and the stage there was 15-1/2 feet and rising at 10 o'clock Saturday morning. The rainfall was general over the Ohio Valley. The Marietta gauge showed 25 feet and rising Saturday morning. The rainfall for Friday night was 1.40 inches locally.

Traffic and bus service were interfered with Saturday morning on account of the overflow of Duck Creek, which inundated the highway above Whipple and between Lower Salem and Warner. Several feet of water covered the road at these points. The Pennsylvania track was inundated at Schramm's crossing, but not sufficiently to hold up the train service. The water receded during the day.

Storm Causes Heavy Damage

Rural sections of Washington County, especially in the northern and western parts, were hard hit by the storm that swept southeastern Ohio during Friday night and early Saturday morning, and heavy damage was done, especially to the public roads.

In the vicinity of Rockland, the storm assumed almost cloudburst proportions and tore away a new fill and concrete culvert that had been put in on highway No. 7 during the fall and winter. Engineers were sent to the scene on Saturday, to determine the loss and to devise ways of making repairs.

In the vicinity of Lowell the rainfall was especially heavy and the Cat's Creek valley was swept more severely than in Many years. The creek reached the highest stage of which there is any record, and bridges and culverts in that section suffered heavily.

Marietta Daily Times, Monday, March 31, 1924:

Crest Will Be Reached On Tuesday

At 2 o'clock on Monday afternoon, the gauge in the Ohio river at the foot of Second Street showed 37.3 feet, and the rate of rise for the previous two hours had been 1-1/4 inches per hour. This would indicate that Marietta would have very close to a 38 foot stage when the crest is reached. It may possibly exceed that figure a trifle.

Between 7 and 10 a.m. on Monday, the rate of rise at Marietta had been three inches per hour. Then it began slowing up slightly and by noon the rise was not more than two inches per hour, which continued to lessen during the next two hours.

The Ohio was falling as far down as Dam No. 12 above Wheeling at noon on Monday, and a crest stage of 40.5 feet had been recorded at Wheeling, which is a few miles below Dam 12. The Muskingum was falling during almost its entire length. The crest was reached at Zanesville on Sunday afternoon at 23.1 feet. The Wills creek water, however, was expected to make the rate of fall slow for the next 12 hours at least.

Howe's Prediction

At noon on Monday, Director Howe of the Parkersburg weather station predicted a crest stage of between 39 and 40 feet for Marietta, to be reached early Tuesday. At the same hour the Marietta wharf boat was advising the public that a crest stage would be reached around 39 feet.

Past Ohio River flood experience has shown that the Ohio at Marietta will continue to rise for 18 hours after it reaches a crest at Wheeling. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that the rise here will continue until early Tuesday forenoon.

While 36 feet is generally recognized as the danger line in Marietta, the city can stand over 37 feet without serious damage. After that each mounting inch of water counts severely in the lower sections of the city, and once the 39 foot mark is reached, many houses will have to be abandoned.

Part of the City Flooded

Much of that section of Marietta east of Greene and Seventh streets was inundated early Monday. Water was in some of the houses in the low grounds, while along the higher strip close to the river, the streets were being shut off. Just before noon on Monday, the flood crept across lower Third Street below Greene. At the same time, both Second and Third streets had been shut off between Greene and Butler streets.

Along upper Front Street and above the fair grounds, the waters also were approaching some of the houses, while along Gilman Street, from Lancaster to the corporation line, and along Virginia from Franklin toward Mile Run, all traffic had been blocked.

Front Street Level

A stage of 38.5 feet will put water on Front Street in the vicinity of Union Street, and but little more will be required to bring it into the gutters at Front and Monroe streets.

Street car traffic to Norwood was to be abandoned on Monday afternoon, but bus lines were operating to that section by way of Putnam and Seventh streets.

Official readings from the weather bureau at 10 o'clock on Monday were: Franklin, 9.1, falling; Parker's, 9.5, falling; Lock 7, 31.8, falling; Pittsburgh, 25.1, falling; Beaver Dam, 37, falling; Lock 12, 38.4, rising; Lock 13, 42.4, rising; Zanesville, 22.8, falling, 3 inches; Marietta, 36.8, rising.

Marietta Daily Times, Tuesday, April 1, 1924:

Flood Reaches Crest Early Tuesday With 39.1 Feet.

Water Now Falling At This Point.

Good Portion of Marietta Inundated But Damage Is Slight.

Street and Rail Traffic Held Up.

Believed Conditions Will Be Back to Normal On Wednesday.

Having reached a stage of 39.1 feet at Marietta, the flood of 1924 is passing into history today. By early Wednesday, unless the unforeseen happens, the streets of the city should be free of water and business should be normal.

Reports at the Marietta wharf boat Tuesday afternoon were to the effect that the Ohio River had fallen 5.5 feet at Pittsburgh, Pa., and 5 feet at Wheeling, W.Va., and that the Muskingum River had fallen 1.5 feet at Zanesville. No rainfall was reported.

During all of Monday afternoon and night, the waters of the Ohio advanced with diminishing speed until just after 3 o'clock on Tuesday morning, when they became stationary. Until shortly before 6 o'clock, they stood without perceptible change, then began to fall and by 5 o'clock, two hours later, had dropped away .2 of a foot. As the day wore on the rate of fall increased.

A good portion of the city was covered by the water on Monday night and Tuesday morning, and some sections that were not flooded were marooned and traffic was blocked. Second Street from Butler to the river was flooded, and much of that section to the east as far away as the corporation line was under water. Front Street, both above and below Butler, was flooded, but none of the store floors between Butler and Greene were wet.

Water in Some Stores

Along Front from about the line of the Leader Store to a point above Union, the sidewalks were flooded and a number of the stores had water in them, some having as much as five or six inches.

Four of the city schools, dismissed on Monday, were still closed on Tuesday, but were expected to resume work on Wednesday at the regular hour. The water did not reach the floors of the buildings, but shut off the basement heating plants at Pike, Willard, Harmar and Putnam. Pike and Willard buildings were surrounded by water.

Railroads Handicapped

All railroads entering Marietta were handicapped to a greater or less extent. The B. & O. from this city to Belpre was cut off at several points, and there was water over the rails both on Butler Street and in West Marietta. The Pennsylvania lines were under water from the station at Second Street as far out as the old Fultonburg yards. Trains on this road established a temporary terminal east of Seventh Street. The interurban lines were shut off along the Muskingum division, and the city lines were cut off both on Greene, Front and Second streets.

Johnboats and other high water craft were numerous in certain portions of the city. They were out in large numbers along lower Second and Greene streets and through the east end. There was not sufficient water over Front Street to bring them into that territory. Boatmen ferried passengers to and from the Ohio River bridge.

Many Use Automobiles

Many business men in the downtown sections patronized the bus lines and the various taxi companies, and automobiles forced their way through the muddy waters. Occasionally one of them would get beyond its depth. Then the motor would stop and a towing job would be in order. In a few instances these stalled cars were abandoned where they stopped.

Mail deliveries in many sections of the city were held up by the waters but should be back to normal on Wednesday. Rural carriers out of Marietta were held up on several of the routes.

In that section of the city above Putnam Street, water was on the streets at Scammel and Third, Wooster and Second, and along upper Front Street, but few if any of the houses were inconvenienced except that their cellars and basements were flooded.

Aside from loss of business, Marietta will not suffer to any great extent from the 1924 flood.

Bridge Floor Has Blown Up

Traffic over the Marietta-Cambridge pike will be handicapped until temporary repairs can be made on the Mill Creek bridge, above the Children's Home, where the floor "blew up" on Monday afternoon. It was a wood block floor and after being under water for nearly 24 hours, the blocks apparently swelled to such an extent that they buckled and were forced out.

A considerable number of the wood blocks thus liberated, floated away in the flood, and this will necessitate the ordering of new material before the repair work can be completed. It is expected that as soon as the water leaves the road at that point, temporary planking can be put down.

State highway engineers stated on Tuesday that plans will be undertaken soon to replace this bridge with a modern concrete arch span. The old bridge is too narrow for heavy traffic and one of the piers has settled so that the structure is out of line.

As far as state and county engineers knew on Tuesday, no other highway bridge in the county had been damaged by the flood.

A $6,000 Performance

 Marietta Daily Times, October 9, 1913

Admitting that it is unkind to call attention to the city's experience with the late lamented pontoon bridge when the city administration, particularly Director Meisenhelder, is trying so hard to let the public forget it, our excuse is that it cost the people $6,000 and they are interested in it to that extent.

The bridge disappeared almost before the public had become familiar with it. In the first place, the apron at the west approach was so arranged that when a heavy rain came, water ran down the approach and into the boats, sinking a section of the bridge. Then a real storm came during the night. For three or four hours after daylight the following morning there was opportunity for making the bridge secure, for the water came up gradually. But nothing was done until the river was a raging torrent Then there was no use in attempting to do anything. The bridge was carried out and dashed to pieces.

If there was any other responsibility for this than his own, Director Meisenhelder has never taken the public into his confidence, and consequently the people hold him responsible, for he is the head of the department.

This is a sample of the sort of management the city has had for the past three years. The men who have been performing such $6,000 disappearing "stunts" for the people are working energetically for the election of Col. Riley. They seem to think they know where they will be after the election if he is elected. If the people want a change they can get it by defeating Riley by voting for David Okey.

Following the destruction of Marietta's Putnam Street Bridge during the Flood of 1913, a temporary pontoon bridge was built across the Muskingum.

Old Marietta Papers - Number 25

The Marietta Register, March 18, 1864

"Old Marietta Papers' was a series of columns compiled and published in 1863 and 1864 by Rodney M. Stimson, editor of "The Marietta Register."

The Flood of 1832, the most famous of all floods in the annals of Marietta, here demands notice.

Jan. 1, 1832, it was announced that the week previous had been "intensely cold," such as had "never been witnessed by our oldest inhabitants." The rivers were frozen over and teams crossed on the ice, There was about four inches of snow on the ground. On Jan. 14, there had been a break up in consequence of warm weather. Snow disappeared and the rivers were disgorging themselves of the ice which was about a foot thick. Many boats and much property suffered destruction from the ice. The steamboat Emigrant was sunk at Harmar, and went off in the ice. Part of her machinery was taken out. The steamer Whit was destroyed at Parkersburg; the Pittsburgh, just below the city of Pittsburgh; and the Potomac, Lady Washington, Chesapeake, and New Jersey, all at Cincinnati, we believe. The rivers were not very high at this time.

It soon turned very cold again, and on Jan. 26th, the mercury stood at 10 degrees below zero. Snow about eight inches deep at this point. 

Feb. 4th, it was announced that there were "copious showers, which promised to raise the rivers, and prepare them at least for navigation."

Feb. 11. "Much rain has fallen. The creeks have all been filled to overflowing, and the great river now threatens inundation to all the lowlands. Last evening (Friday, 10th) the banks of the Ohio, at this place, were beginning to overflow."

From this time - Friday evening, Feb. 10, 1832, when the Ohio began to overflow its banks in this place - it was "lively times" in Marietta for a few days. The "Friend" missed its publication in the following week, and the next week after only a small sheet was issued - although the printing office was above high water on Fifth Street, back of the College grounds. The water continued rising about four inches an hour through Saturday and Sunday; and on Monday morning, Feb. 13, at 8 o'clock, it came to a stand - "at the height of five feet more than it had been known since the settlement of the country." In several houses at the Point, of low stories, it was on the second floor, and the inhabitants left them for the higher ground. Some small buildings, shops and stables were removed from their foundations, some being carried away.

The "Friend" defends the town, and says, "the place has suffered little comparatively with other towns on the Ohio," and instances Pittsburgh and Wheeling at which places the damages from the flood were very large. It says: "The river on Saturday and Sunday, was literally full of property from above - many buildings of light construction, hay, wheat and oat stacks, rails, boards, rafts of lumber."

Feb. 15 - Wednesday - people who had been driven from their houses at the Point returned to them. Many had lived in their second stories.

At Wheeling, Saturday evening, Feb. 11th, the water was 49 feet above low water mark; 15 or 20 frame dwelling houses were swept off. Wellsburg was entirely overflowed. From headwaters, the flood came principally from the Allegheny, not much from the Monongahela. The Pittsburgh Democrat says: "On Friday last (10th) Pittsburgh, Allegheny-Town, and the lowlands bordering the rivers were visited by the horrors and devastation of the greatest flood that ever occurred since the erection of Fort Duquesne by the French; and it would be in vain to attempt to give the particulars of the losses by our fellow citizens, or to describe the perilous escapes from the raging element." The Democrat estimates the loss in Pittsburgh at "exceeding $200,000," and says the water there rose 31 feet above low water mark.

The flood was at its height at Pittsburgh, Feb. 10th, at 9 o'clock, P.M.; at Wheeling, on the 11th, at 8 P.M.; at Marietta, 13th, at 8 A.M.; at Cincinnati, on the morning of the 18th, being a trifle over a week later than at Pittsburgh. Cincinnati was flooded back to the "Lower Market," between Second and Third streets - 631 feet above low water mark.

In correcting exaggerated statements abroad in reference to the damage by this flood in Marietta, placing the amount at $50,000, the "Friend" says: "It is our opinion that half the sum mentioned, perhaps one-third, will repair all losses actually sustained."

Of the exaggerations - not to say lies - told about the flood in Marietta, the following are specimens. A letter from Wheeling to the Philadelphia Chronicle states:

"The steamboat Columbus, which has just arrived, reports that not a vestige remains of many of the towns below. Marietta presents a most melancholy appearance. A large portion of the place has entirely disappeared (!), and in the higher parts of the town little more is to be seen than the tops of the chimneys. Nothing could be learned of the safety of the inhabitants as the boat could not effect a safe landing."

People here who know the truth may possibly call that a genuine specimen of "tall lying." Another paper says:

"A gentleman recently from the West says that while running up the Ohio, several hundred buildings were met floating down; and that at Marietta, the steamboat in which he was passed through the streets [perhaps true at the Point] and delivered her passengers at the third story windows of the houses."

That'll do!

To prove that Marietta was not killed, on March 24th the "Friend":

"Our situation is salubrious and commanding. Many have decided to locate here, and a considerable influx of population is expected. Arrangements are making for the erection of more handsome and desirable buildings the approaching season, than have been put up in any one season before."

Letter From Marietta

Weekly Messenger [Boston], January 15, 1818

Marietta, Nov. 11, 1817

Dear Friend - I now take this opportunity to inform you that we arrived here all in good health. I crossed the Ohio River at Charleston, Oct. 18th, 80 miles below Pittsburg, then went about 90 miles to Sairville - then I struck the Muskingum - then I went down by land sixty miles to Marietta.

I find this to be a poor, muddy hole; the mud here is more disagreeable than the snow in Massachusetts. My advice to all my friends is not to come to this Country. I intent to leave it as soon as the spring opens, and mean to be back before May is out. And there is not one in a hundred but what is discontented, but they can't get back having spent all their property in getting here.

It is the most broken country that I ever saw. Poor lean Pork is 12 cents per lb. They sell Salt at 4 cents the lb., poor dry Fish is 20 cents per lb. The Corn is miserable and we cannot get it ground, we have to pound it, those who have Lanterns grate it. Rum is 25 cts. a gill. Sugar is 37 cts. per lb. and as for Molasses, there is none. Iron is 12-1/2 cents per lb.

My horses stood the journey well. They are yet alive and in good health and flesh, but they tell me every day they are homesick and want to go back. They say they were good servants to bring me here, but will be better to carry me back.

This Country has been the ruin of a great many poor people. It has undone a great many poor souls forever.

There has been a great freshet in Marietta. They had to drive the Cattle back to the hills, and to paddle all thro' town into their houses. I wish you to show this letter to all my friends, especially to Mr. Wyman and to write me as soon as possible.

Zacheus Parker

[To:] Mr. Daniel Wells

Letter From Robert Oliver

Gazette of the United States, July 21, 1790

From the Hampshire Gazette -

Mr. Butler -  As every information from gentlemen of veracity relative to the Ohio Company is likely to be of public utility, I send you the following extract of a letter from Col. Robert Oliver, who has lived there almost two years, not doubting but it will be agreeably received by your customers in general, and in particular those interested in said Country - the public service being my only motive. I am yours, &c. William Sizer.

Wolf[creek], May 25, 1790.

Dear Sir, 

I shall endeavor to answer your letter methodically and, in the first place, do assure you the report that we were obliged to move to the city on account of the Indians, was every part thereof false and without the least foundation. The Indians have killed one man and stole some horses, which is all the mischief they have done on the purchase since my arrival. They appear to be very friendly and to bear a great regard for the Yankies, as they call us.

I lived at the city the first winter, and in the spring took up my land at this place, and undertook with three others to build mills, which we have completed and they are of the first rate.I raised last season about 100 bushels of corn, some potatoes, turnips, &c. &c. I moved my family here last September and have lived her ever since - have not been in the last disturbed. I have caught near two barrels of fish, some suckers, perch and pike; I have taken pike here of 24 lb. They appear to be of the same kind of the pickerel in New England.

I like my situation well, my land is exceeding good. You wish to know the summer season. It would not be worthwhile to give you a detail of every day. Let it suffice to say, the summer season appears to be well calculated to nourish the growth of the fruits of the earth. The weather in summer is not warmer, as I can perceive, than in New England, but of longer duration. 

The bottom land is as heavy timbered in general as the beech and maple land in Chester. The hills are oak and hickory, the most beautiful timber for building I ever saw. The face of the earth is not covered with stones as in New England, but they appear to be in quarries and are discovered upon the sides of hills and at the sides and bottom of creeks. They are almost, or entirely, either lime or free stone. The free stone makes as good grind stones as the Nova Scotia stone and are excellent for building. We have plenty of good clay. The boards the joiners use are yellow poplar, cherry and black walnut, of which there is great plenty.

The hills are about one mile from the Ohio at the mouth of the Muskingum. This is not all bottom land, part of it is what we call second bottom, and part an oak plain. The land at or near the point is flowed, I believe, once a year at least, occasioned by the water of the Ohio and Muskingum overflowing their banks, they being somewhat low. This is also the case with some part of the bottoms up the Muskingum. These bottoms will not bear wheat at present, for they are by far too rich, but the plains and hills appear to be excellent for wheat.

You request to know how many families there are at or near Marietta, but of this I am unable to inform you. There are three settlements here, one at Marietta, one down the Ohio and commences about twelve miles from Marietta and continues for near six miles. There is another at this place of about sixteen families, besides men who have not got their families and a number of single men. This settlement is about fourteen miles by land, but twenty-four by water, from Marietta. 

Provisions the last summer were very plenty. Flour sold at two dollars per hundred weight, bacon seven pence and eight pence per pound, whiskey three shillings and sixpence and four shillings per gallon, and almost every other necessary of life was sold at as low a rate. But provisions are now scarce and high. A vast quantity of flour is gone down to New Orleans (at the mouth of the Mississippi), but although provisions are scarce I believe we shall make a rub of it, and with a common blessing shall raise this year double the quantity of grain necessary for the support of the people on the ground. 

I must close my letter by giving you my real judgment (and it is founded partly on reason and partly on experience) on the difference between supporting a family here and with you. Take farms of a middling quality and equal improvements, I can raise three pounds of pork, two of beef, two of wool, two yards of common broad cloth, two pounds of butter, two and a half of bread, and two of all sorts of vegetables, as easy as you can one in New England. Believe me, Sir, I do not exaggerate.

.  

Marietta Woman Recalls Sufferings in '84 Flood

Marietta Daily Times, February 19, 1937

The 1913 and 1937 floods may have come higher in Marietta than did the memorable one of 1884 and damage may have been greater, but for actual suffering, the inundation of 53 years ago holds first place in disaster annals in the opinion of many old time residents who have experienced all of them as well as the lesser floods in the intervening years.

Lack of modern facilities in 1884 made the suffering more severe said Mrs. William H. Lord of 423 Fifth Street, who discussed the floods this week.  Mrs. Lord lives high and dry now in her Fifth Street home. The same was true in 1913. In 1884, however, her home was on Gilman Street on the west side of the Muskingum in the town of Harmar.

The Lord home stood on Gilman Street at the present B. & O. railroad crossing and the flood waters climbed until they were at least a foot deep in the second floor. The family was among the more fortunate ones in that part of Harmar on that occasion in that they saved most of their furnishings and personal effects.

Become Refugees

As the waters climbed the walls of their home and they realized they must abandon the place, they were taken out in a boat and were rowed to dry ground near the Douglas Putnam home - now the home of Edward MacTaggart.

"We were going to the hills - any place to find a haven," said Mrs. Lord. "In those days the only house on Harmar Hill was the old Strecker home, now owned and occupied by Miss Del Strecker. We thought we might be able to find shelter in a barn. As we stepped out of our boat at the Putnam place, Mrs. Putnam inquired where we were going. We told her our plight. Instantly, she insisted that she would take us in.

"We found a haven in the Putnam place along with approximately two hundred others whom the Putnams had taken in. The great house was packed with people and the refugees slept in most every conceivable position. Food was a problem, and, when we arrived, Mrs. Putnam said: "We have room for you and food enough for breakfast tomorrow morning, then we must find some source of supply."

Food is Found

"During the night, food supplies were found. I presume the men located stores that still had things to eat. At any rate, food was provided and gradually, the situation relaxed. We remained with the Putnams until the waters subsided, then we returned and began that awful task of cleaning out the mud and restoring our homes. Truly, those were trying days."

As Mrs. Lord remarked, the scarcity of homes on the high ground on the west side of the river made the situation in 1884 a difficult one. Only a few homes in Harmar were above the flood, and they were packed as was the Putnam place.

During the 1913 flood the situation, so far as buildings were concerned, was much the same as it was during last month's flood. Comfortable homes on Harmar Hill were opened by their hospitable owners and there always was "room for one more." As a result the West Side fared equally as well as did the main or eastern part of the city. The Red Cross, local relief agents and other organizations, among them the American Legion and the police and firemen, all did valiant work and helped to keep actual suffering at a minimum. 

Supplies Provided

As was done on the east side of the Muskingum, a well-stocked commissary was established. Supplies including bedding, clothing and food and fuel were provided. Capable leadership was developed. Once more, the MacTaggart home was one of the working centers and again it housed its quota of refugees. The school building and the chapel on Harmar Hill were used as added centers.

Lack of adequate shelter, scarcity of food and an almost total absence of such luxuries as city water, gas, electricity and telephones, all combined to make the 1884 disaster a more severe one than any that has followed. Property loss in the 1913 flood and again in the 1937 may have been heavier. Undoubtedly, however, they were in the words of Mrs. Lord, "trying days." 

 

Armory Is Damaged By Flood

The Marietta Daily Times, February 2, 1937:

Marietta's national guard armory, located on Front Street, suffered heavy damage in the flood and will have to be extensively repaired. A rather complete examination of the structure made Tuesday showed this.

The west wall, fronting upon the Muskingum, has broken, a large crack having opened. In fact the wall apparently has sagged and has drawn away from the cross partition.

The main floor, used for drill purposes and for public assemblages, has blown up and is a complete loss, it is said.

The adjutant general's department has instructed Lieutenant Donald Whiting to have estimates made for completely repairing the building, same to be forwarded to Columbus for final approval. Then an effort will be made to have the rebuilding operation done as a WPA project.

Other state armories in the flood zone also are said to have suffered heavily and the same course is to be followed in rehabilitating them, the adjutant general said.

The damage suffered at the Marietta armory, while not yet positively known, is expected to amount to several thousand dollars.

Captain Norman O. Whiting, in command of the Marietta company, is on special flood duty at Pomeroy and Middleport and in his absence, Lieutenant Don Whiting is in charge of the local property of the state. 

The Marietta Daily Times, February 4, 1937:

$16,000 Is Needed to Fix Armory

Engineers who have examined the Front Street armory have estimated approximately $16,000 will be required to restore the building to safe condition. 

This figure was announced on Thursday by Captain Norman O. Whiting. He is compiling the figures and will take them to Columbus later in the week at the request of the adjutant general's department. They will be placed with the state architect and as soon as possible he will come to Marietta to study the situation and gather data for plans for the repair work, it is said.

The entire west or rear wall has been thrown out of line and has broken in such a way that it will have to be taken down and re-built. The entire main floor will have to be made new. It is expected that while this is being performed, needed changes in the basement section will be authorized. Changes also will be made in the Front Street entrance, where the steps have crumbled and weakened.

 

Ohio River Rising

The Marietta Times, March 23, 1865

On Friday night the Ohio commenced rising, and by Sunday, the lower portions of the city were completely inundated. Fears were entertained by some that the rise would be equal to that of 1860. 

In anticipation of such an event, many families living in the lower parts of the city removed their household goods to their second stories, or to the more elevated portions of the city. The merchants on Front street were obliged to remove all barrels, sacks, &c., from their cellars.  Greene, Front, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth streets were partially covered, and persons were obliged to go to and from their residences in skiffs. 

About one o'clock on Monday morning, the water commenced falling, and on Wednesday evening it was about at a stand. No damage, so far as we could learn, was sustained by anyone. The water was not so high, by seven or eight feet, as in 1860.

Third Street Project Given New Impetus

Marietta Daily Times, February 24, 1915

Property Owners Name Committee to Learn Cost of Raising

Not only are residents of Third Street between Putnam and Wooster, and Scammel between Second and Fourth, interested in the project for the raising of those streets above flood level, but a large proportion of them are willing to meet their full share of the expense and will devote their efforts to putting the project through. The residents of other of the low-lying streets are also interested, and it is practical certainly that if Third Street raises itself above flood line, other thoroughfares will quickly follow suit.

These facts are made evident at a meeting held in the high school Tuesday evening for consideration of the Third and Scammel streets matter. There was a big attendance of enthusiastic property owners from the district directly interested. In addition, many persons living on other streets were present, as well as city officials, members of the city council, officials of the board of trade, members of the board of education, real estate men, contractors, and railroad representatives. About 150 people in all were on hand for a discussion of the proposal, in the agitation of which some of the biggest property owners on the streets have been the prime movers.

The outcomes of the meeting, which was purely preliminary in character, was the appointment of a committee of three, composed of Messrs. Charles Weber, W. A. Sniffen, and H. A. Wagner, with instructions to secure plans and estimates, with information as to how the improvement could be handled through the city administration, for report at at meeting to be called in the near future. This committee is expected to canvass the situation thoroughly and be able to give each of the property owners information as to how the raising of the street in front of his property will cost.

A number of enthusiastic and business-like speeches were made at the meeting, which was devoted to a general discussion of some of the phases of the proposed improvement. W. A. Whiston was elected temporary chairman and J. W. Gray temporary secretary.

Plan Is Outlined

Charles H. Weber said that the plan which had been in mind for the improvement was to run a grade from a 46 foot elevation at Putnam and Third streets to about 35 at Wooster, crossing Scammel Street at about 50 feet, with Scammel graded from about 55 at Fourth Street to the 50 foot elevation at Third. This was only tentative, he said and the men who had suggested it were willing to give or take a few feet from others who had different views on the matter.

H. A. Wagner moved that the chairman appoint a committee of three to draft resolutions and bring the street raising proposition before the meeting for consideration. On this committee were reported Hon. C. S. Dana, Henry Albrecht, and John W. Mills. The committee reported a resolution recommending that a committee be appointed to investigate the plan outlined by Mr. Weber, with the probable cost and the plans for financing it, for report to property owners and the permanent committee named above was then selected by the chairman.

Endorses the Plan

B. B. Putnam was called upon and said that the committee of 21 which recently investigated the street raising matter as a general proposition for the city had been forced to the conclusion that the only way to do it was for the property owners to get together, as they are doing in this case, and raise a street or two at a time. He had hastily figured since coming to the meeting that the deepest part of the fill, about 10 feet, would require 42 cubic feet of dirt to the running foot. Figuring this dirt at top price of 30 cents per yard, it would cost approximately $12.90 per running foot to fill the street at the most expensive point.

Dividing this between the properties on both sides of the street would mean an assessment of $6.45 per front foot on the abutting property. Add to this the cost of new paving, he said, and it would mean an assessment of not over $10 per foot to fill and pave the street at the point where the fill would be deepest and the coast greatest. Where the fill was three feet the cost would be less than $6 per front foot, he said. It would cost not over $250 to fill any yard on the street, he thought.

Thinks It Would Pay

"The cost is significant and the possible benefit unlimited," said Mr. Putnam. "Marietta can never become a city among cities until her citizens become live ones and put her up out of the reach of floods. Hardly a day passes that someone does not come into my office and ask about a business location out of the reach of the water, but we have nothing to give them. If your street is raised and other streets do not come in on the plan, I predict that most of you will be forced to sell your properties for business purposes, because the prices offered you for them will be so big you cannot afford to refuse them." 

Dr. J. C. Swan was asked to speak. He said that for about 11 years he has been attending meetings called for the purpose of raising streets, but about the only thing the citizens of Marietta have raised is their voices.

Easy to Finance It

"This is no financial obstacle in the way of raising Marietta. There is no physical obstacle in the way with the exception of the laziness in the heads of people who should be doing things. Excuse me for scolding. The trouble with Marietta is its lack of unity, its lack of community of interest, its lack of initiative and cohesion.

"If you unite on this proposition you will make money for yourselves and leave legacies for your children."

Charles H. Weber expressed the belief that the Third Street proposition can be put through. "We can do it," he said "and can bring Third Street to the front. Other streets will follow and we can make Marietta bigger and better than she has ever been. My idea of financing the proposition its that we have got to do this ourselves. We can't ask the hill people to do it. We must do it ourselves for the value it will add to our property."

He said that the meeting had been called for the purpose of learning the opinion of the property owners and urged them to express themselves freely.

Dr. Ballard For It

Dr. C. B. Ballard said that he had concluded after the 1913 flood that he would not ask anyone to raise his property or the street in front of it, believing that the increase in the value of it would remunerate him for any expense to which he was put. "What we would like to know," he said, "is just about what our tax would be on a fixed grade. This is important, as we must know whether we can finance the proposition. I believe the way for this work to be done is for the property owners to say that they will raise their property so that the property will have greater value. I believe that the other lowlanders feel the same way."

Rev. John H. Holtkamp of the German M. E. Church spoke enthusiastically in favor of the proposal. He said he thought he could say that his church, which has property at the corner of Third and Wooster streets, would do its part and that he would do so personally. "You can't stop the water's coming," he said, "but you can go up above it. The good Lord has given lots of room up there."

Suggests 48 Foot Level

F. L. Alexander of Second Street raised the question whether it would not be a mistake to raise the street to a 50-foot level. He said this would necessitate the raising of a lot of houses that have already been raised once, while a 46 or 48-foot street would make this unnecessary and would at the same time put a house five feet above the street out of all probable floods, placing them above practically every inundation that the city has experienced save that of 1913. Reducing the level at Scammel Street from 50 to 48 feet would save a lot of money, he said, and would make friends for the project.

President Crawford of the city council, when called to the floor, said he believed council would go as far as it could under the city's ordinances to aid the project. He has not heard a dissenting voice among the members of the body. Personally he pledged himself to do all he could to further the success of the scheme.

Mr. Dauenhauer of the house moving department of the John Erichleay Jr. Company of Pittsburgh, contractors, told the meeting that what is proposed here is nothing new, that it has been done before, and can be done easily. The Third Street proposition is a very small matter, he said. To accomplish it is just a matter of going ahead. The general average of cost of raising the frame residences on the street, according to his estimates, would be from $500 to $750.

Engineers Present

Engineer E. Frank Gates gave the elevation of the streets which it is proposed shall be raised and made some suggestions  as  to the best grades for them. He said he thought the best way to get at the grade would be to assume one at Third and Scammel streets and work from that to the outer ends of the proposed improvement.

E. D. Baldwin, agent of the B. & O. Railway Company, said that his company had no figures available on the cost of laying dirt down on the streets here. He said, however, that the company had sent two of its engineers to this city to attend this meeting, and that they were present to learn whether or not the people meant business, that they would doubtless look the ground over and would be glad to meet the committee that had been appointed. Mr. Baldwin was accompanied by P. Didier of Pittsburgh, chief engineer, and J. Fordella of Newark, division engineer.

     

Some Notes On Floods At Marietta

The Marietta Register, December 18, 1873

The rivers here have been high this week - higher than before since January 1862, twelve years ago next month, when the water was about a foot above what is was now.  Yet it was not one of the big floods, such as came upon this locality nine times in the last hundred years.  It came to a stand Monday evening when Front street, below Putnam, was under water, which barely came upon the floors of a few stores - was just even with the floor of the Post Office, and about six inches below the floor at the front of the stores of Bosworth, Wells & Co.

The most notable flood here since the first settlement was in February 1832 - over ten feet higher than it was this week; yet in June 1772, it was some three feet higher at Wheeling than it even was in 1832, as marked by the first settlers there at the backwater at the falls of Wheeling Creek.

In 1778, there was another flood, within two feet of the mark of that of 1832; and in 1784, the water here was just about the level of that in 1832, as appeared from marks at the cabin of Isaac Williams on his "tomahawk improvement" opposite the mouth of the Muskingum.

When the first settlers began building on the low bottoms at Marietta in 1788, Indians shook their heads and said they had seen the water up to a certain height on the sycamores, but their warnings were disregarded as exaggerations; and for twenty-five years after, there was no flood here to over flow the banks of the rivers - or twenty-nine years after the great flood of 1784.  

But in January 1813, the security of Marietta people was sadly disturbed when came upon them one of the most appalling floods known in our history, the famous "Ice Fresh," as it was called.  The river was full of very heavy running ice, causing great destruction of property.  The water came to a stand January 28, at which time it had turned severely cold, making ice thick enough so people could walk on it over all the lower part of the town, at a height of some five or six feet above that of the water this week.

April 1, 1815, the water a little higher than it was in 1813, yet but little damage was done.

The famous flood of 1832 was at its height here, February 13th.  The winter began early, and ice stopped navigation in the last of November 1831, the mercury standing at 12 degrees above zero on the mornings of the 28th and 29th.  December 18th, it was 10 degrees below zero.  From January 20th to January 30th, 1832, sixteen inches of snow fell here, and in the first part of February, snow lay upon the ground over a foot deep; and in the mountains it was three or four feet deep.  Heavy rains came on, eight inches of rain falling here from February 1st to the 12th.  The water here began rising on Thursday, February 9th, and came to a stand on Monday the 13th, when it stood about two inches deep on the floor of the building now used for the Preparatory Department in the College yard; and it was some fifteen inches deep in the front rooms of the house of Dr. Hildreth.  The river was out of its banks for nine days.  

The destruction of property all along the Ohio was immense.  At Pittsburgh, the floods was at its height on the morning of the 10th; Wheeling, afternoon of the 11th; Marietta, morning of the 13th; Cincinnati, morning of the 18th, where it was over sixty feet above low water.

The next high flood here was in December 1847 - about six feet below that of 1832; and on April 22, 1852, about four feet and a half below.  The great flood of April 13, 1860, was next to that of 1832, at this point, since the first settlement, coming up within about three feet of the highest mark in 182.

Notes might be made on these floods to the extent of columns of the Register which might be of interest, but space must limit to a mere outline.

R. M. S.

 

Inundations

Marietta and Washington County, Pilot, April 21, 1826 

Much has been erroneously reported, and in some measure believed abroad, on this subject, prejudicial in its tendency to the interests and prosperity of this Town.  We feel it to be our duty, briefly to correct some mistaken views, entertained by strangers respecting our place.  During the high freshets of the present spring, whilst Louisville, Cincinnati, and other places, - are reported to have been more or less deluged; (and in the streets of one of said Towns, Steam Boats it was said, “were seen to ride at anchor,”) the waters of the Rivers here (Ohio and Muskingum) did not transcend the banks by some feet.

The truth is, that the banks of the Ohio at this place, are quite as high, if not higher than they are at the generality of the towns on the River.  The occasional inundations at this place, which occur perhaps once in ten years, result from the concurrent and simultaneous rise in the two rivers – Ohio and Muskingum, the latter, at its confluence, uniting with the former at right angles.

Some are led to suppose, from the Bug-Bear stories circulated abroad, that this town is situated very low, and is a sort of swamp or morass, than which, nothing can be more foreign from the truth.  Our river banks are about forty feet high, and on Point Harmar still higher.  At a short distance from the river, after ascending an acclivity of fifty or sixty feet, a beautiful and extensive plain presents itself to view, on which a part of the town is built; this summit has never been approached by flood, (since the general deluge) scarcely to its base.

Flood Scenes Should Not Be Sold

The Marietta Daily Times, May 15, 1907

They Hurt Our City.

We have not a great deal of love for the "Souvenir Post Card" craze and know that in some of its phases it is an abomination to man, if not to the Lord.

Just how many of them are being sold in Marietta to the numerous strangers who are within our gates and many more are being exposed for sale.

Those that are views of our many historical places, or pictures of our prominent people, editors for instance, are all right and should be sold in large quantities, as they will carry information wherever they go and will be perpetual joys and delights to all who see them.

But we see prominently displayed many that are flood scenes, that show a number of our places when they were in the grasp of the great River Ohio when it was angry with us.

We do not believe these should be sold and sent broadcast over the State, or possibly the country.  They convey a wrong impression as some who see them may think that Marietta is continually, perpetually and eternally in high water, instead of being in it every fifteen or twenty years, or less.  They may think the normal stage of the rivers is the flood stage.

These pictures convey a bad impression also and may prevent some from coming here to reside and do business, as those who have never been through floods have a greater horror of them than have those who have experienced them.

These pictures of floods are bad advertisements of our city and those who make their livings by doing business here should not offer them for sale or sell them.

Flood of 1913 - April 14

The Register-Leader, Monday April 14

Worker Fell From Construction Pier of Railroad Bridge and Plunged Into Floating Debris

When he lost his footing while endeavoring to dodge a large plank being hoisted on the bridge, Frank Erline, 35 years, of Proctor, W. Va., bridge worker employed by the B. & O. railroad company on the Muskingum river bridge, plunged headlong into the river below.

He alighted upon his head and shoulders on some large timbers which were floating in the river, and which were being used in the construction of the temporary trestle.

Workmen, seeing him fall, called for aid and the injured man was rescued by the gasoline boat Isabelle which was nearby.

Erline was brought to the east side of the river and Officer Wolfe was notified.  He immediately summoned Dr. A. Howard Smith, and Fuller's ambulance, which arrived on the scene four minutes later.

A hurried examination showed that the man was seriously injured and he was rushed to Marietta Hospital, where his injuries were given medical attention.

Erline received a compound fracture of the upper jaw which extended across the roof of his mouth.  His hip was also badly bruised.  Although his injuries are serious, it is believed that he will recover.

Splendid Work of Company B During Flood

Martial law in Marietta was concluded Saturday morning, and the duties of the Ohio National Guardsmen practically came to an end.

No tribute too great can be paid the members of Company B, Seventh Regiment, O.N.G., Captain Harry Spencer Dyar commanding, for the manner in which they patrolled the city in its direst need.

It was probably the most arduous and constant duty which has ever fallen to the portion of the local company.  From Wednesday evening, March 26, when the men of the company went on duty at the Putnam street bridge until Saturday, April 12, there was not an idle moment.  It was a period that required prompt action and Company B was not found wanting.

The members of Company B were originally called out by Colonel Harry G. Knox for duty at Dayton and Columbus, but inability to get to those cities luckily kept the militiamen where they belonged and where they were most needed.

The first duty was guarding the Putnam street bridge.  They had orders to keep everyone from crossing and no one got by them.  Then as the water rose more rapidly and the lives of many in the flooded districts were endangered the guardsmen equipped with row boats entered the most dangerous sections of the city.

They succeeded in rescuing many who would no doubt have been drowned.  Whole families were taken from the attics of their homes, as the water was about to reach them.  The men braved the swiftest currents.  They crossed the Muskingum river when the courage of others failed them.

After the rescue work was concluded, the militiamen engaged in work of relief.  Provisions were carried to the destitute in all parts of the city.  The rivers were crossed many times in row boats.  The destitute people were given relief and shelter was found for the homeless.  The men during this time patroled the city at nights and all attempts at looting were frustrated.  Although several misdemeanors were reported the reports were without foundation.  Very few shots were fired and most of these were accidental or used to scare trespassers.  For over a week the men were on constant duty, working in the day time and patrolling the streets and flooded districts at night. 

When the worst was over, thirty members of Company L of Athens, came to their assistance and later the entire Company E of Caldwell was dispatched to this city.  The Caldwell Company patroled West Marietta and the local militia men and the Athens company were on duty on the East Side.  They patroled the streets constantly at night and no loitering was permitted.

Oftentimes the men entered buildings in the business section and turned out fires and lights which might have started a fire.  No drunkenness was tolerated and the men had little trouble in keeping order.

Captain Dyar at all times had his men well under command.  They obeyed all orders and at no time was it necessary to reprimand them.  They were even eager for work and many who were mere boys grew to manhood in a day.

These citizen soldiers have demonstrated that they are a part of the government of Ohio and that they are able to do the duties of a regular soldier when called upon.

The members of the Athens and Caldwell companies deserve much praise, as do the members of the hospital company, who did good work during and since the flood.  Although the Toledo Ambulance Company was criticized several times, they were only acting upon orders issued by the state board of health, and their suggestions, if carried out, will aid materially in the sanitation of the city.

The Register-Leader joins the citizens of Marietta in thanking the officers and men of the Ohio National Guards who were on duty in this city for their most efficient service and aid.

Bridge Bottoms Here

The towboat M. D. Wayman finished the work of clearing the drift from the channel in the Muskingum river, Saturday afternoon, and the five floats for the pontoon bridge were taken through the locks, Sunday, and tied near the boat house, ready for the contractors.

Flood Damage Up Muskingum

Lowell, the little town of 550 inhabitants, is rapidly recovering from the effects of the flood.

Very few people there observed Sunday and a large force of men and teams were busy clearing the mud and drift from the streets all day.  Another force of men were wrecking buildings which had been so greatly damaged by the flood that they were no longer fit for habitation. 

Dynamite was used in many cases.  The former home of Daniel Wilking, located near the lower canal bridge, was one of the places dynamited.  The building was of brick and one end had been entirely torn away by the flood.  The roof was held upright by a single pier of brick about five feet wide which extended from the ground to the roof.  Two blasts were required to force it out.  The first one only blew a hole in the wall, but the second stick served the purpose well and the large tin roof crumbled in with a crash.

The residents of the island suffered probably the greatest loss.  Several houses were carried away, others were wrecked and some were carried off their foundations.

Great damage was suffered by Albert Henniger, Phoebe Rietz and Henry Rietz, whose stores on Water street were destroyed by fire.  These buildings were substantial two-story brick structures and now only a part of the walls remains.

All of the merchants in Lowell had big losses.  Of these Riecker Brothers' store, located on the island, is one of the heaviest losers.  Nearly every piano in Lowell was in the water.  Only twenty buildings escaped the water.

One flour mill was carried away, and the other suffered a heavy loss.  Part of the lumber belonging to the Lowell planing mill floated away, and all of the lumber piles fell over.

The home of Wallace Wagner, located a mile this side of Lowell, was carried from its foundations and carried to a field 100 feet away.  The owner is now living in it.  The home of M. A. Dyar is surrounded by drift several feet high.  The piano is sitting on the side of the hill.

Fern Cliff Park escaped.  The ocean wave was carried about 100 feet and wrecked.

The entire back end was torn out of the lock tenders' house at Devol's Dam, and both ends were taken out of a house near by.

Part of the Lowell bridge lies in Dawes' field.

Three houses remain at Unionville.  These are badly damaged and the Grimm residence was moved from its foundation.  The blacksmith shop, wagon shop, store, church and two houses were washed away.  The Grimm, Cook and Weinstock residences are the only buildings that remain standing.  The Unionville church, part of the Lowell bridge and the Cook barn are lying in the yard at the Children's Home.

The track of the P. M. & I. U. Ry. Company from Fern Cliff to Lowell is in bad condition.  The first cars over it were run Saturday and they are still forced to go very slowly.  It will be several days before the track between Lowell and Beverly is ready for traffic.

The tracks of the O. & L. K. road are also in bad condition.  All of the trestles were washed away.

Several people from this city visited Lowell, Sunday.  Photographers from Marietta were also there and several views of the disaster were taken.

Historic Flood

While it is true that the recent flood was the highest of which we have record, a story handed down from Indians tells of a flood before the first settlement at Marietta.  One of the oldest residents of Marietta is authority for this bit of interesting news.  The story was told him by George Woodbridge, a half century ago.

Many years after the pioneers landed, the story goes, they would frequently call a number of the famous Indian chieftains here for conferences relative to Indian history.  The Indians would dispense information then of interest to the settlers.

On one such occasion an Indian told of having boated in his canoe near what is now the General Warner estate occupied by Mr. Okey and family, during the spring deluge.  There near the top of a big elm tree he cut with his tomahawk, a nick marking the height of the water at that time.  That mark, according to the venerable and esteemed resident by whom we are informed, was about seven feet higher than the height reached in the same part of the city in '84, or about the same height as the flood of two weeks ago.

Flood of 1913 - April 12

The Register-Leader, Saturday, April 12, 1913

Manufacturing Concerns Are Quick to Recover From Flood

The Stevens Organ and Piano factory will be in full running order by the first of May, although a large number of men will resume their work at the factory, Monday.  There was large loss from the flood as all of the lumber in the yards was washed away and all of the stock in process on the second floor was wrecked, including three pipe organs in process of construction.  All of the hardware supplies, felts and skins were lost.  The barns, lumber sheds and brick dry kiln were wrecked, but a large force of men are working on the buildings.

The No-Dust Company plant is almost a total loss, but the machinery was saved.  The factory is rigging up temporarily to take care of their present orders, and by the time they pontoon bridge is completed they hope to be running in full.  The company has received offers from other cities for location, but it is more than probable that they will remain in this city.

The Crescent Supply Company is running in full now.  They have not estimated their loss as yet, but it will not be great.  Their greatest loss was the inconvenience they experienced at the factory.

The Marietta Manufacturing Company has not estimated its loss.  It will not be great, and the plant will be in full running order by the latter part of next week, as a large gang of men is at work now putting the foundry in running order.

The Safe Cabinet Company is running night and day, although several of the employes have remained at home to look after their property damage.  The Safe Cabinet Company is located above the flood and their only loss will be to business by the water.

The Strecker Brothers Company resumed operations Tuesday.  They have been running with a full force of men all week.

The Ohio Valley Wagon works is in full operation.  They were fifteen feet above the flood.

The Pattin Brothers' Company are operating full force at all of their plants.  They commenced the first of the week and have now almost recovered from the effects of the flood.

The Leidecker Tool Company are also running and the greater part of the men have been working all week.  They will open with a full force, Monday.

The Marietta Chair Company's saw mill, which was carried away by the flood, will not be rebuilt, according to a statement made by Col. John Mills to a Register-Leader reporter this afternoon.  The plant is a total wreck and a large part of the lumber was carried away by the water.  Mr. Mills stated that the work of the saw mill can now be done at the chair factory proper.  The lumber and the machinery saved will probably be removed to the plant on Seventh street.  Although a few of the men not located in the water are working at the Chair Factory, full operations will not be resumed until some time next week.

A few men are at work at the Becker Mill plant in Norwood, cleaning up the damage of the high water, which reached the ceiling of the first floor.  Full operations will commence in two weeks.

The Introstile and Novelty Company had eight feet of water on the first floor.  The plant will start running as soon as the electric wires are strung across the Muskingum river. The material and stock damaged will amount to several hundred dollars.  The plating department, which was moved to the second floor, after the flood in January, was not damaged.  A large amount of household goods were stored on the second floor.  Quite a number of buildings struck the plant, as the current was very swift at that point, but no damage was done.  This is the first flood that has reached the plant since 1907.

The loss to the Colonial Chocolate Company is estimated between $3,200 and $3,500.  The greatest loss was to raw materials.  Most of the stock was placed on the second floor and as high as possible, but even then most of the stock was caught by the water.  The loss of machinery and fixtures was not heavy, and the factory is being rapidly refitted with new materials, as many orders are waiting to be filled.  The company will either build new quarters out of the flood district, or will move their factory to the second floor.  They expect to be running full force in the course of ten days.

Unitarians May Raise Church

The members of the Unitarian church are considering plans for raising their church building above the flood line, according to a statement made by Rev. E. A. Coil, Friday afternoon.  The plans, if carried out, will result in the raising of the church about eight or ten feet.  This will place the main floor of the beautiful and antique building about four feet above the mark of the recent flood.  The damage done to this building will reach $800.  Providing the church is raised, several improvements will be made.

River Traffic Is On the Boom

"The wharf boat reminds one of the good old days," remarked a well known river man today.  Continuing, the observer said that not since 1885 has he seen more activity on the river front than now.  The wharf boat is taxed to its capacity, the local shippers taking advantage of the opportunity of shipping out of the city by boat.  All of the boats are carrying heavy cargoes, as the result of damage to railroads by the recent flood.  Until all of the roads have rebuilt their tracks and bridges the boats can expect a continuance of the rushing trade.