Marietta Fifty Years Ago

The Marietta Leader, June 7, 1890:

A Paper Read to the New Century Historical Club by Hiram A. Hill.

Let us leave the post-office now and go down street.  There are no other buildings between it and the run below, the ground is low, we depart on a pavement of rough flag-stones, diagonally across the street, till we come to the stone bridge across the run.  This bridge consisted of a single arch, and was narrow, and was located near the west line of the street.  The stone pavement led to a wooden footwalk on the left side of the bridge.  I think this bridge was built by private subscription.  Two accidents occurred here which I will notice.  P. Hildreth, Jr., when about twelve years of age, fell from the west side of the bridge and fractured his skull; but he recovered from the injury.  A Mr. Baker, many years previous to this, fell from the other side, and was drowned.

Let us cross the bridge now and pass to the right of the street, where the stone pavement leads us on between the street and the commons on the right.  There was no mill on the bank of the Muskingum, no deep cut as now from Front street to the mill, but it was all smooth unincumbered ground.  At the bank were a few large sycamore trees, and that was all, to obstruct the view in that direction.  Over by the abutment of the dam was a small frame building used as a store room, and there also was the ferry landing.  Bridges across the Muskingum were not thought of then.

But we have crossed the bridge now, and about three or four rods below, and on our left, we have the old market house, dilapidated and dingy, not used except by cows and horses as a shelter from the rain.  It stood in the middle of the street, when it was built I am not certain, but think probably in the flush times caused by the last war with Great Britain.  Below the market house two or three rods, and on land now owned by Mrs. Haberling, was a board shanty, used as a blacksmith shop by Joseph Glines, the father of the late William Glines, Esq., of this city.  From this shop down to Styer's drug-store was a board fence.  On the ground now occupied by the store, or very near there, was a small frame building, with no glass, but board shutters to the windows, painted red.  This building was used for a slaughter-house, and was owned by Capt. Nathaniel Dodge.  Capt. Dodge did not follow the butchering business himself, but rented the place to Henry Armstrong for a number of years for that purpose.  There were no more buildings to Butler street.  From the slaughter-house to that street, and taking in the whole width of Front street, the ground was as low as it is now anywhere between Second and Third streets, or about sixteen feet below the present grade of the street.  From this cause the wagon road from the bridge to Butler street was to the right of the stone pavement, and on the common.

The frame part of the St. James hotel, with its four column portico, has stood there for more than seventy years.  Col. Abner Lord, I believe, built the house, but after him it was owned and was the residence, for a long time, of Dr. John Cotton.  From this building to the corner at D. B. Anderson's was a board fence, thence down Front street 180 feet, a board fence and stone pavement.

We will now cross over to the left side of Front street, below Butler, and notice the buildings.  The first house is a low gambrel-roof structure owned by the widow Baker, formerly the wife of the man who was drowned at the bridge, no paint on this house.  I will state here, that from this house to Greene street there was no pavement; only a path, with weeds here, and weeds everywhere, except in the path and wagon way where they could not grow.  The next house was a two story frame owned by Thomas Baker.  This house stood on the ground where now stands the St. Cloud hotel.  The next was a poor frame without paint.  The next a story-and-one-half tenement house, with the end to the street, no paint, the next was a large two-story frame house owned by Jason R. Curtis.  It stood on the ground now occupied by Stanley's stores, and was not painted.  Above the alley below, at Peter Kuntz, was a story-and-a-half frame tenement house, occupied by John Cunningham.  Below the alley, on the lot where now stands Rodick's stores, was a brick dwelling house owned by William Talbot, the next a frame owned by Mrs. Buck, the next a frame owned by Dudley Woodbridge.  

The next lot below this had a two-story brick building, standing back a considerable distance from the street, and a row of locust trees on each side of the walk leading to it.  The lower room of this house was for a school room, the upper a masonic lodge, approached by a flight of stone steps, from the ground up.  I notice something singular about these steps, they never had a rail, or balustrade, for protection from falling off.  The entrance to the lodge room was from the southeast side of the building.

On the ground occupied by this house was erected, probably, the first jail in the Northwest Territory.  It was one of the blockhouses within the palisade inclosure of the fort at the "point."  This building was burned down, and was, I believe, the first house, with the exception of one, burned in the town.  It was not used as a jail at the time, and was of little value.  It was supposed to have been set on fire by two young men, more notable for engaging in tricks and malicious mischief than anything else.

There was a scene at the burning of this structure which I will describe.  Another house, near by, was much endangered by the great heat, and a number of ladies were carrying water till they became almost exhausted, while a crowd of men were standing by as idle spectators.  This was more than the ladies could endure, and one of them turning to the men, gave them such a rebuke that they concluded they had better go to work or leave the ground, for another rebuke like that would by no means be desirable.

This lot is now occupied by Mr. Buell's drugstore and Theis' hardware store.  The next building below, and on the ground where Smith's furniture store stands, was a small two-story brick house, with the end to the street, occupied by James Dunn as a hatter shop.  From this shop, for two or three rods, was a post-and-rail fence, to an old and much decayed barn, standing on the lot where is now the store of the Nye Hardware Co.  From this barn to the house on the corner, where now stands the First National Bank, was more post-and-rail fence.  

The house on the corner was originally built by Gen. Joseph Buell for a tavern.  A Mr. Munsel kept the tavern for some time, but I think there was no tavern there later than 1820.  After that time it was occupied as a tenement house, sometimes having three or four families, and to consequence soon became much out of repair.  The first floor of this building in the rear was about seven feet from the ground, and I believe not higher than the floor of the National Bank.  The approach to the front door, on Front Street, was by a flight of several wooden steps. Entering the door, you came into a hall extending through the building with a stair way to the upper rooms.  On the left of this hall were two rooms of equal size, and on the right two.  Ascending the stairs to a door on the left, you would enter a spacious hall.  On the right was a narrow passage way, on each side of which were doors opening into sleeping rooms.  This house was a frame, painted red, and was called by the boys the "Old red house."  After the building became so much in want of repairs that it was almost abandoned as a place of residence, the school-boys used to resort to the large hall and spend sometime in throwing tops, which I can affirm were better tops than any I see now.

If the walls of this hall could have spoken, how much they could have related of meetings here in the early years of the century, of persons of note, who spent the hours of night in the giddy dance, forgetful of all but the pleasures of the moment, charmed by the attractiveness of the place and music's enlivening sound.  It is wisely ordered that we can not know the vicissitudes of the future in this life, for so sad are they sometimes, that they would deprive us of the enjoyment of the present.  Had Mrs. Blennerhassett, who I have no doubt attended these meetings, known that at a future period she would be reduced from affluence to extreme poverty, the reflection would have caused a sadness which no scenes of revelry could have alleviated.  I believe this lady was a woman of kindly and benevolent feelings, and no doubt many were her charitable acts in the days of prosperity.  A reflection upon these acts in after life, in the days of adversity, afforded, I have no doubt, a pleasing recollection, while the splendor and gayety of the ball-room reverted to, could not, I think, produce a corresponding feeling of satisfaction.

The last time my attention was particularly attracted by the "Red house," was in February, 1832, when I was paddling by in a small canoe and saw a cow looking out of a sashless window of the upper story,  apparently contemplating the mighty waters of the Ohio, which were now nearly as high as the floor on which she stood.  The poor man who owned the cow, not being able to take her to high land, thought he would take her in on the first floor, and thence being driven by the rising water, he was compelled to take her to the upper story.  Thirty years afterwards, this person, who took so much pains to save his cow from drowning, committed suicide by drowning in the Muskingum river.

Speaking of the flood of 1832, it was not quite so high as in 1884, but I think the destruction of property was greater.  The number of floating houses of different kinds, with stacks of hay and grain, and shocks of corn fodder was astonishing.  Add to these the immense quantity of drift-wood and fencing floating by, the whole presenting a sad picture of destruction.

The Marietta Leader, June 11, 1890:

We have now arrived at Greene street, let us go up a little to the South-east corner of the lot.  Here is a frame house one story high, with the end to the street, which I suppose was the first frame house built at the "Point."  Gen. Buell speaks in one of his letters of having constructed such a building, the timber for the frame of which was brought from above Pittsburg.  It stood on the ground now occupied by Booth's variety-show building.  The Old Red house with this one, was removed in 1832 to give place for better buildings.  The latter was bought by Stephen Daniels and moved to the south corner of Greene and Third streets, where it was used for a carpenter shop.  Subsequently it was bought by D. B. Anderson and converted into a dwelling.  Some years after, Mr. Dye bought it and moved it to the west side of Third Street, near his dwelling, where it stood till recently, when it was condemned by the city council and torn down.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, there was a time, when if you had passed through the streets of Marietta early in the morning, very likely you would have seen a man or a young woman with a fire-shovel carrying fire from a neighbor's, their fire, which was covered with ashes during the night, having "gone out," and as there were no matches like we have now, they were obliged to borrow fire.  This was of frequent occurrence.  The first Lucifer matches brought to Marietta were on sale at the store of the late Col. John Mills about the year 1833.

There was comparatively little coal burned in the town previous to that date, and the cooking-stove was little known, except as in use on steamboats, for the accommodation of which I think it was invented.

The mode of cooking previous to 1830 was very much after the fashion of our great-grandmothers of England.  If you will go with me into a kitchen I will prove this.  When we enter, the first thing to attract our attention is a capacious fire-place, for burning wood exclusively, with an iron crane in it, upon which are suspended several hooks called pothooks, and on these such iron vessels as may be desired in cooking.  On the left of the fire-place is a brick-oven, and under it a receptacle for ashes.  The fire place is deep enough to take in the old time back log, or yule log of our English fore-fathers.  It is long enough to admit split wood four feet long, which is supported by andirons.  With the backlog, Christmas, or yule log, and a plenty of split wood, a fire was made which was very cheering to see, especially on a Christmas day.

For baking, besides the brick oven, there was a cast-iron vessel, with a close fitting lid in which bread was baked, by placing coals underneath and on the lid.  For roasting there was in use a tin reflector to set before the fire, with an iron rod extending through the center of it called a spit, on which the articles to be roasted were fastened.  These reflectors were large enough in some cases to roast two turkeys or geese at a time.  By turning the spit frequently, all sides of the turkey or goose were exposed to an equal degree of heat, and it proved an excellent method of preparing these articles for the table.  

But there were people, both in the town and country, who thought themselves too poor to own a reflector, and yet were not so poor as not to have occasionally a roasted turkey.  I was once in a house where lived a poor family.  The cooking there devolved on a little girl about twelve years old, whose mother had died, they had no reflector, but instead she had the turkey suspended before the fire by a string or maybe a wire, under the roasting turkey was placed a large dish to receive the dripping fluid, which was frequently dipped up with a spoon and poured over it.

Now ladies and gentlemen, it is some time since we left our room, and if it is nearly nine o'clock at night we shall soon hear the sound of the town bell.  It is at the present time in the cupola of the Court House, and has a muffled sound, in comparison to what it need to have when it was suspended in the open belfrey of the old Court House.  Well do I remember its clear tone, when it rang at nine o'clock in the morning, at noon, and at nine o'clock at night.  There were no other bells in the town, save one on the Congregational church.  It was customary at that time to toll the Court House bell, whenever a death occurred in the town.  The old Court House was a frame structure, and stood on the site of the present jail building.  I have thought, many a time, about the custom of ringing the town bell at nine o'clock at night, and have concluded that it was probably the continuance of a custom originating in England.  I mean the ringing of the Curfew-bell.  In that matchless poem of Gray's, in which he says,

     "The curfew tolls the knell of parting day;

      The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea;

      The plowman homeward plods his weary way,

       And leaves the world to darkness and to me."

He alludes to the ringing of this bell.

The practice of ringing the curfew originated in England from an order of William the Conqueror, which obliged the people at its ringing, to cover their fires, put out their lights, and go to bed.  The hour for ringing the curfew was eight o'clock in the evening, an hour earlier than the ringing of our bell, but our Anglo-American ancestors, not having much respect for an edict of a king, could easily change the hour of retiring from eight to nine o'clock.  It used to be a common saying here, it is nine o'clock, and it is time all honest people were in bed.

Ladies and gentlemen, when we were down where the old jail was burnt, I forgot to tell you about the relic of barbarism, the whipping-post.  Well it stood in the lot between the jail and Front Street, a disgrace to Christian civilization.  When the old Court House was built, it was moved to the lot at the North corner of Putnam and Second streets, on the lot now occupied by the present Court House.  Were any persons ever whipped there?  I believe not many, how many I can not say.  The following traditional account of the satisfaction of justice at this post, is from a man who witnessed the whipping of two men, convicted of some petty offense, and whose names I could give if I thought proper.

He said it occurred when he was a boy, and he went with his sister, two years older than himself, to witness it, and besides themselves, there were many others present.  Said he, I endured the sight pretty well myself, but my sister could not endure it, and was so overcome that she cried.  I believe these were the last whippings here, and the whipping-post is counted among the things of the past.

"The world moves," and when it makes a move out of barbarism, everybody ought to rejoice.  How changed have been some of the laws.  Long since the whipping-post was taken away, the law was severe on the man who, unfortunately, was unable to pay his debts.  He was liable to be imprisoned, if his creditor chose to have him confined.  The jail in the old Court House had its key turned more than once on men who could not pay.

I remember the case of a man who owed a small debt, and who was imprisoned by his creditor, with the soothing information that he should like there till he should rot, if he did not pay.  But the law provided that the creditor should pay for the debtor's board while in jail, in consequence of which there were not many kept in jail very long.  The law provided, also, that if the debtor would give security that he would not leave the county, who need be imprisoned; and such a person was spoken of as being "out on the limits," that is the boundaries of the county.

It seems that the law makers were long in waking up to the conviction, that a man outside of jail would be a hundred times more likely to pay a debt, than one inside; but they did, finally, wake up to it, and the law to imprison for debt was repealed.

Did you hear, while passing by some of the smaller dwellings, a low sound like very distant thunder?  If you did that was no doubt the sound of the spinning wheel.  Probably there is not one of them used in the town today, but formerly they were much used for spinning yarn to be woven into cloth and for other purposes.  The hand loom was, also, much used, and we had two fulling mills and cloth-dressing establishments which furnished a very substantial cloth.  But has not our town been injured by the discouragement of home manufacturing, and in sending its money to patronize distant factories?  It may be taken as an axiom, that a town which buys everything and produces nothing, will never be anything but a slow town.  Our fulling mills, rope walks, potteries, woolen mills, cotton mills, hatter shops, shoe and bucket factories, and soap factories are mentioned only as things of the past.

In passing up Second street from Greene street we crossed the little stream once called the Tiber; but it has an alias now, which is Goose Run.  There being no bridge, properly speaking, across this stream, we walked over on a log which had been laid for the accommodation of pedestrians.  This stream used to abound with little fish, but its waters were so poisoned by the drainage from tanneries and the Gas works that they have long since disappeared.

To the right, and very near the bank of the Tiber, stood the "Old Sycamore," the last survivor of the great forest trees which stood on the ground when the pioneers landed, one hundred years ago.  That was evidently an old tree at that time.  I don't know why that tree was left standing, unless it was to show for many years what kind of trees there were when the New Mayflower landed.  It is not a great while since the old tree fell, but whether it was cut down, or blown down, I am not able to say.  There has been some dispute as to who cut the first tree after Putnam's boat struck the shore, but if the man is living who cut down the "Old Sycamore," his name ought to be known as the person who felled the last tree of that noble forest once covered the site of our beautiful city.

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.

Flood of 1913 - April 11

The Register-Leader, Friday, April 11, 1913

Patterson Would Divert Course of the Muskingum

Col. John H. Patterson, president of the National Cash Register Company, of Dayton, Ohio, who was in the city, Thursday, as a member of the Ohio Relief Commission, in company with Governor Cox, offered a suggestion which, if carried out, would do away with future floods in Marietta.

Mr. Patterson, who is very observant, noticed a valley in the hills on the west side of the river, this side of Bartlett's Grove.  He suggested that the course of the Muskingum river be turned through this valley.  The river would then run about a mile back of Fairview Heights and empty into the Ohio river near Mile Run.

Mr. Patterson suggested that the city endeavor to secure governmental aid in such a project.  He said that machinery now in use on the Panama Canal would serve a good purpose here.

Although this would be a great engineering feat, there is little question of its practicability, and the flood problem in Marietta could no doubt be solved in this way.  Records go to show that the Muskingum has been largely responsible for all big floods here.

Reign of Martial Law to Be Concluded Saturday

Martial law in Marietta will be lifted, Saturday morning at five o'clock, and all the saloons will be allowed to open.

Company L, which has been in this city for several days, was taken off duty today, and the members left for their homes at Athens at 10:25 o'clock.

Company E of Caldwell, who have been stationed on the West side, have also been dismissed and the men returned home at 2:05 o'clock this afternoon.

The ambulance company, consisting of thirty men, also left this morning, for their homes in Toledo.

The members of the hospital corps will, in all probability, leave this afternoon or Saturday.

Company B, of this city, will remain on duty to assist the local authorities in maintaining order.  They will also guard all government property.  They will have their headquarters in the armory, Saturday.

Flood of 1913 - April 9

The Register-Leader, Wednesday, April 9, 1913:

Bridge Damage Is Estimated

The damage done to the bridges of Washington county by the recent flood is estimated at between $100,000 and $150,000, according to statements made by the County Commissioners this morning.  The estimate does not include the local bridge.

Acting upon the orders of the State Highway Commissioner, the County commissioners prepared this estimate Tuesday afternoon.  The report will be sent to the highway commissioner and he will in turn appeal to the legislature for aid.  If the appeal is heard Washington county will get state aid to assist in erecting new bridges and repairing the damage done by the waters.

The following bridges located in this county suffered from the flood:  two bridges in Belpre township carried away; the Lowell bridge and both approaches washed away.  The Beverly, Big Run, Rainbow, congress Creek and the Murphy bridge, near Newport, were all taken away.

The draw span of the canal bridge at Lowell was also demolished.  The floor was taken off the upper canal bridge at Lowell.  The Mackey bridge, near Cornerville, was badly damaged, and the block floor on the lower Duck Creek bridge was washed away.

The commissioners are also taking up the matter of repairing roads.  Tuesday afternoon Commissioner Campbell awarded a contract to Joseph Barnett to grade a piece of road in Dunham township.  Arrangements were made to establish a free ferry at Lowell, which will be operated until the new bridge is erected.  The same will be provided for Beverly as soon as possible.

Many Rescues On West Side

Several rescues were made on the West Side when the flood was nearing its crest.

Harry Shiers, a well known blacksmith of this city, narrowly escaped a horrible death, after he had been rescued from his home on Maple street in a Bell Telephone boat.

The rescue party had just pushed away from the building when a large telephone pole which was torn loose by the swift current, fell across the boat.  Mr. Shiers was pinned under it and for a time it was thought that the boat would capsize.

Harry Adams, one of the telephone employes, showed great presence of mind, and lifted the pole from the boat before the party was plunged into the icy waters.

Mr. Shiers was seriously injured and for a time it was believed that his back was broken.  He was brought to this side of the river and taken to the home of his father on Third street.  Medical aid was summoned, and after a close examination it was found that no bones were broken.  He was confined to his bed for several days, but is now able to be about his work.

"Doc" Collins, a familiar figure about the streets of the city, was taken from the second story of his home on Gilman street by Harry Pfaff after the aged man had stood in water up to his waist for several hours.

Mrs. T. Marion was taken from her bed early in the morning, just as the water reached the mattress.

Marietta Daily Times, April 9, 1913:

Heroism Is Shown By Many

People who saved lives during the flood are so numerous in Marietta that little account has been taken of them.  Scores of men, women and children were taken from houses that afterward toppled over or were swept out into the channel of the rivers and carried away, many of them being broken up very soon after they had been vacated.

In many cases the rescue work was done by neighbors who were fortunate in having boats.  In others police officers, militiamen, passersby, or hired boatmen rowed to upper story windows and took out the occupants who had thought they would be safe on their second floors, only to discover later that the water was coming after them so steadily that they would have to move completely out or lose their lives.

The deepest of gratitude and admiration is due various members of the police force, the National Guard and other persons, but the most daring and effective work that has been reported was performed by Lieut. Rolla G. Putnam, of the police force, when he rowed in inky darkness to houses near the river bank just south of the fair grounds and brought safely to land a number of persons who had been marooned there.

This was done during the terrible night when the water was rising rapidly.  There was a tremendously powerful current in the Muskingum.  The city was in darkness.  The cries of the people in the houses at the end of the street could be heard.  There were boats to be had, but no one had appeared who was willing to attempt the perilous trip, until Putnam arrived.  Even against the current that threatened any boat that was given into its grasp many would have attempted the trip by daylight, but in the darkness they felt that they would simply be throwing their lives away.  Putnam, however, started out into the darkness alone.  He got through safely with several passengers.  Again he ventured into the swirling, rushing darkness and this time he came back with more refugees.  After the most dangerous part of his work was done he fell into the river but was able to support himself until aid reached him and he was with difficulty drawn back into his boat.

Lieut. Putnam's feat was one of the most heroic in the annals of Marietta.

Mattresses and Bedding Are Now Greatest Need of the Flood Sufferers in Marietta

Conditions that now exist in this city were discussed Tuesday afternoon at the regular meeting of the executive committee on relief, which was held in their rooms on the second floor of the Y.M.C.A. building.

From reports of the committee only about half the usual number of persons are being fed, while the lines at the various commissaries are falling off.  The great demand at the present time is for bedding, especially mattresses.  Two hundred mattresses have been distributed and six hundred more which arrived last night from Wheeling, W. Va., will be given out today.  An order has been placed for 1,000 more by the housing committee.  The committee has already disposed of 1,000 blankets to the flood sufferers.

Persons who have been made homeless by the flood refused to occupy the tents that were provided, as they did not wish to enter a camp.  A ruling has now been made that persons who care to have a tent can take it and pitch it wherever they choose.  Since the new ruling has been made it is probable that many will place tents near the homes of friends or in their own yards.

Tents were pitched on Harmar hill and in Camp Tupper for those who needed shelter, but very few of them were used.  A number of people have been given shelter in the building formerly occupied by the Norwood hotel.

Elmer D. Smith and W. A. Decker, of the building inspecting committee, have condemned about twelve structures.  Several of these are business houses, while the remainder are residences in the lower part of the city and on the West Side.

Tuesday was the wedding anniversary of Capt. and Mrs. Wilson, of the Salvation Army, and a purse of money was given them by the executive committee.  Both Capt. Wilson and his wife have been hard workers in giving relief to the flood sufferers and deserve much praise.

Flood of 1913 - April 8

The Register-Leader, Tuesday, April 8, 1913

Martial Law Is Declared

I.  This city is now in possession of the military forces of the State of Ohio, who have come to restore peace and order and to enforce the laws of the said State of Ohio, under authority and by command of the Governor of said state.

The Colonel commanding said military forces therefore makes known and proclaims the objects and purposes of the said state in thus taking possession of the said city of Marietta Military District, and the rules and regulations by which the laws of the United States and the State of Ohio will be for the present and until further proclamation, maintained for the guidance of all persons within said military district.

II.  There exists in the said city of Marietta conditions caused by the recent flood, making it impossible for the civil authorities of the said city to enforce the laws of said state of Ohio and to protect the property of its citizens.  The Military District Commander, therefore, will cause the said city to be governed until the restoration of the civil authority and his further orders, by military authority.

III.  The persons and property of all well disposed citizens will be protected and safeguards will be furnished wherever necessary and possible.

IV.  All rights of property of whatever kind will be held inviolate, subject to law.  All persons in the district will be required to pursue their usual vocations.  All shops and places of business except as hereafter mentioned are to be kept open in their usual manner as in time of peace.

V.  All saloons and places where intoxicating liquors are sold as a beverage will be closed and kept closed until further orders.

VI.  Violations of the law of the said State of Ohio and interferences with military forces will be referred to proper authority for trial and punishment.  Misdemeanors will be subject to the civil authority if it chooses to act.  Civil cases will await the ordinary tribunal.

VII.  All assemblages of persons in streets or highways, either by day or by night, tending to disorder, are forbidden.

VIII.  Vagrancy will not be tolerated.

IX.  It is hoped that martial law hereby established, will be mild and gentle in its enforcement, but it will be vigorously exercised when occasion demands.

By order of

Colonel Harry D. Knox, Military District Commander.

Noalis E. Herzer, Adjutant of the District.

College To Resume

Marietta College will probably resume, next Monday morning.  The state militia, which has been occupying the buildings, will in all probability vacate them sometime this week.

10 Buildings Are Condemned

The building inspectors who have been at work but a short time have already condemned ten buildings located near the mouth of the Muskingum river on the East Side.  Two of the buildings are in the business district. These buildings have been closed and are no longer fit for use.  The former occupants have found homes elsewhere, and the merchants who occupied the condemned buildings are arranging for other quarters.

6000 Persons Were Affected

According to the report of the precinct committeemen, 984 families were in the flooded district.  This report does not include precincts A and B, of the first ward, and D, of the second ward.

The committeemen in these districts have not as yet filed their reports and it is estimated that over 1,200 families in all were in the flooded districts.  Over half of this number had the water in their second floors.

The number of people represented in the 984 families out side of precincts A and B of the second ward is 3,550.  The total number of people in all flooded precincts is estimated between 5,000 and 6,000.

Beverly's Great Loss

William Lansley returned Monday afternoon from Beverly, having walked to that place Sunday from Fern Cliff park and back, Monday.  He reports the damage done in Beverly very great.

It is estimated that 43 buildings, the greater part homes, were carried away by the current.  In one square only two buildings are left and these were partly demolished.

It is estimated that 3,500 wagon loads of drift and debris, under which are buried the carcasses of several cows and horses are piled in the streets.  In many places the drift is piled as high as houses.

The town is still cut off from the world as far as transportation is concerned and the only way the people have of entering Beverly is either on foot or horses.  The only mail which has left the city has been taken overland to Dexter City.

Many of the families have abandoned their homes in the flooded district and have made arrangements to build on the hills.

The work of cleaning the streets is progressing rapidly and Sunday the ministers were in the streets with brooms and shovels.  Today is farmers day in Beverly.  Appeals were sent to the residents of the rural districts to help clean the streets and today several responded.  it is the plan of the committee to have the greater part of the debris cleared away before night.

Mr. Lansley reports the tracks of the P. M. & I. U. Ry. Co., from Beverly to Fern Cliff park are in bad condition.  The trestle at Coal Run is partly demolished.  The tracks in other places are either washed away or the road bed torn up.

Lowell also suffered severely.  Most of the damage was done by the fire.  Nearly an entire block along Canal street was demolished by the flames.  The water flooded the entire town and was nearly over the roof of the restaurant owned by H. H. Young, formerly of this city.  Lowell did not suffer the loss that Beverly did and is rapidly recovering.

Cleaning Streets

The city today is rapidly being cleared of mud.  Many laborers and teams are at work and by tonight Front and Putnam streets will be cleaned.  The men are in charge of the police.  Officer Charles Ray has thirty men and six teams at work on Putnam and Second streets, while officers Chamberlain and Wolfe have charge of the men on Front street.  The mud on this street is being loaded upon an electric freight car.

Belpre People Need Some Help

Steps were taken at a mass meeting of the citizens of Belpre last night to formulate some plan where by the needy at that place may be properly cared for and if possible established in their homes again.  There are between 40 and 50 people there who are homeless and who have lost all they had.  These people are being cared for at the old Blennerhassett hotel building, which was thrown open by the B. & O. railroad company several days ago.  The people who reside in the vicinity to the north of Belpre are assisting in caring for them.  It is believed that if arrangements were made to establish them in homes again that they would be able to take care of themselves.

Family Tells Thrilling Tale

An Assyrian family residing on Putnam street tell a thrilling story of their escape from the flood.

On Thursday evening, nearly two weeks ago, when the water started to enter the second floors of a number of Putnam street houses, the Assyrian family, consisting of the father, who goes by the name of John, his wife and two children were asleep on the second floor of the building located near the corner of Front and Putnam.

The rush of water under their bed awakened them.  The room was pitch dark.  There was no gas light to be lighted.  Every second, fearing he would fall down the stairway into the water or break through the front window, John crawled in the water over the floor in his apartments in search of something from which he could make a light.  He finally located an olive oil bottle and by dipping a piece of rope into the oil he succeeded finally in make a torch.

Then he led the way, his wife and two children following to a side window which adjoins the Pfaff bakery property.  A heavy board was secured and the marooned family was helped across this by the father and through the window into the Pfaff residence.

Here they found conditions about the same as they had left.  Their cries for help brought no response, as it was late in the night and no boats were on the water.  The olive oil light went out.  The waters were rising more rapidly, it seemed to the frightened family, and the mother with her two children in her arms was standing in water up to her knees.

Realizing that something had to be done and that at once, John, by standing on several pieces of furniture succeeded in reaching the third floor of the building through a hatch overhead.  Then with great difficulty he pulled his wife and children up after him.  Some old clothing was found, a bed was made and soon the mother and her little ones were made comfortable and they fell asleep.

When daylight came, several men in a patrol boat found John, the brave and faithful Assyrian in the third story window.  He had kept watch over his loved ones all night.
 

Flood of 1913 - April 7

The Register-Leader, Monday, April 7, 1913

Something of Loss

Although no estimate of the loss in Marietta from the flood can be made at this time, the committee man from each precinct reported, Sunday, that 115 houses were washed away.  Fifty were carried from foundations and 200 were made uninhabitable.  Most of these houses were in the East End and the West Side.

An estimate of the loss to property suffered by the property owners in the residence district can, in all probability be made by the latter part of the week.  The special committee appointed to take charge of this matter commenced the work of appraisement this morning.

Streets Thronged With Curious

Marietta was visited by hundred of sightseers from neighboring towns and cities, Sunday, who trailed the streets until late in the evening.

Many had journeyed several miles to see the disastrous results of the worst calamity Marietta has ever passed through.

The business thoroughfares were crowded and the visitors gazed with amazement through the mud smeared windows at the damage done within the stores.

Many of the visitors were in holiday attire, but many who mingled with them were covered with mud after a tramp of many miles across the hills from their homes in the rural districts.

Several amateur photographers were at work, taking pictures of the main streets, the wreckage, damaged homes and the campus where the soldiers and the homeless are housed.

Fared Worse Than Columbus

Morris Luchs of Columbus, formerly of this city, arrived here, Sunday.  He is looking after his property, part of which was in the flooded district.

Mr. Luchs stated to a Register-Leader reporter, this morning, that outside of the loss of life, Marietta suffered a greater loss than Columbus.

He also stated that he had visited Zanesville and other flooded cities while en route to Marietta, but none of them were in as bad condition as this city.

He expressed himself as greatly pleased at the strides the people are making toward placing Marietta on her feet.

In Explanation

A word of explanation is due our subscribers, many of whom we have been unable to reach with papers since Wednesday, March 26th.

We printed by use of a mimeograph kindly loaned and operated by Professor MacKinnon, of the high school, a sort of typewriter newspaper during four days of the flood.

The limited number of such edition which we were able to print by hand, one pate at a time, made it impossible to supply but a small per cent of the great demand.

Then after the flood had receded the conditions of the presses in the Register-Leader plant were such that old-fashioned methods - the only means possible after the big press had been put out of commission for an indefinite length of time by the water - were resorted to.  Hindrances were again encountered and still the demand for papers exceeded the supply.

Regular deliveries are being made, today, for the first time since the flood.  We are still laboring under perplexing difficulties and we are compelled to condense the news of the day upon these four pages.

We hope to within a short time to be able to give our large family of readers the regular size paper.  Until then therefore we ask indulgence with the assurance that nothing is being left undone in our efforts to surmount the many obstacles with which we are confronted.

Marietta's Birthday

This, the one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary day of the settlement of Marietta, was to have been a gala day.  A fitting celebration had been planned and a special edition commemorating the day had been arranged for by the Register-Leader.

The reason why all such plans have been annulled it is not necessary to here exploit.  This day will be a memorable one for causes other than celebration.  But we can but hesitate for a moment in the midst of our toil and allow our thoughts to drift into the past, which has seen more glorious anniversary days, and dream of a future brighter and more prosperous.

No Rest Sunday For the Weary

Sunday was not a day of rest for the majority of the people of Marietta.  All who reside in the devastated districts and many who do not, spent the entire day at work.  The business section resembled a busy week day and all the merchants were in their stores with all the help they could obtain righting the goods to proper places.

Although several lost a large amount of stock, they are rapidly replacing it and the damaged goods are now in such shape that they can be sold.

Many of the stores, after the labors of Sunday, opened for business, this morning.  By the end of the week all of the stores will be doing business as of old.

Marietta Phone

Speedily Establishing Connections in All Parts of the City.

The Marietta telephone company is rapidly establishing communication with the outside world and within a few days will have all of the local phones in working order.

Twenty linemen and several teams were put to work Sunday noon, drawing the old cable from the Muskingum river.  This cable was severed by the swift current during the flood and all telephone connections with the west side have been cut off.

The work of re-laying the new cable, which is nine hundred feet long, will require three days.  When this is completed practically all telephone connections in the city will be in working order.

Had Narrow Escape

Rev. and Mrs. Oetjen had a narrow escape from drowning while the flood was at its height.  While being taken from their home on Third street both were thrown into the water and Mrs. Oetjen is reported to have gone down once.  One of the men in charge of the boat grabbed her as she came up and Rev. Oetjen, who is a good swimmer, was helped into the boat which had been tipped to one side and partly filled with water.

Better Progress

Being Made on the Gigantic Task of Cleaning the Streets.

The work of cleaning the city streets is progressing slowly, owing to the scarcity of laborers and teams.  The best work was done Sunday when the P. M. & I U. Ry. Company provided the city with a large electric freight car.  This car, under the supervision of Brent Powell of Parkersburg, was placed on front street and a force of men were kept busy loading the mud upon it.  As soon as the car was loaded, it was taken to the outskirts of the city and dumped.  During its absence, several teams carried the mud away.

The street cleaning force was much larger, today, owing to the fact that the wages of the laborers were raised from $1.75 to $2.25, and that of men with teams from $4.00 to $5.00 per day.

With the assistance of the freight car, and the men and teams added today, it is believed that the work will progress far more rapidly.

Arrange To Build Pontoon Bridge Across the Muskingum

At a joint meeting of the bridge committee of the Marietta City Council, the Service Director and Mayor, held Saturday evening, arrangements were made for building a pontoon bridge across the Muskingum river.

The towboat, M. D. Wayman, was procured to go to Pittsburgh to get five boat bottoms upon which the bridge will be placed.  the boat left this morning and will return the latter part of the week. 

The boat bottoms are 170 feet long, 28 feet wide and 14 inches high.  They will be anchored to the piers of the Putnam street bridge and upon these planks will be placed.

The bridge will be completed and ready for use by the latter part of next week.

To Light City

At a meeting of the light committee of the Marietta City Council, held Saturday evening, arrangements were made with the P. M. & I. U. Ry. Co. to light the city until the municipal plant can be put in working order.

Saloons to Open

The saloons of the city will open at noon Tuesday, after being closed for a period of ten days.  The mayor has issued strict orders to the police to close any place where men are allowed to get drunk.

Flood of 1913 - April 5

The Register-Leader, Saturday, April 5, 1913

6000 Daily Are Being Fed

Between 5000 and 6000 people are being fed daily in Marietta by the commissaries recently established.

The main commissary is in the College gymnasium, while the sub-commissaries are located in the Norwood school building, Fort school building and the Roberts barn on the West Side.  Prepared meals are being served to several hundred in the high school building.

Early in the morning the sufferers line up at the college building and it is late in the afternoon before the entire number is provided for.  A number of people are taking advantage of the help so freely offered them and a number who it is known have ample means to provide for themselves are applying for aid.

A card index system is being used and the name of everyone who is given provisions is placed on file.

There is plenty of all kinds of provisions, but the supply of bedding and clothing is very small.

Gasoline Boat Line

Owing to the condition of the O. & L. K. railroad tracks, a gasoline boat line will probably be established between this city and McConnelsville.  It is arranged that the boat will leave here every day carrying the mail to points up the Muskingum river.  The plan is being considered and will probably be put in force.

Wire For Lime

Major Wadhams, of the regular army, has advised the Relief Committee to secure 1,000 barrels of lime at once to spread over the entire city.

Chairman B. F. Strecker has wired General Speaks for this amount and it will be sent to this city as soon as possible.  The lime is required, owing to the length of time the mud has remained on the streets.

150 Men At Work

One hundred and fifty men were drafted from the bread line and taken in charge by the police.  They are being worked in three shifts of eight hours each, working night and day until the street work is completed.

No excuses were accepted and the men were fed and provided for.  The money they earn will be paid to their families by the city.

Brent Powell, of the P. M. & I. U. Ry. company was in the city today and offered his assistance.

He also brought with him twenty-five barrels of lime which will be spread over the mud in the business section, this afternoon.  He is conferring with the committee in regard to drafting laborers.

Marietta's Disaster

One week ago Wednesday - but yesterday it seems to the weary and sleepless folks of Marietta - the afternoon newspapers announced the coming of a flood which at that time seemed would be no greater than the ordinary ones of recent years.

But scarcely had the papers reached the hands of their readers than the warning was broadcast that in the immediate future lay grave danger.

Alas, yesterday, the day on which Marietta was proud of its wealth, and of its homes, and of its industries, is gone.

Now all has been laid low or defaced by a remorseless torrent that apparently had no beginning or end, just width, and that for miles through a rich city section.  Scarcely believable is the fact that eighty-five per cent of the property wealth of Marietta was covered with water.  But it is a true statement from authoritative source.

The property and business loss to the city has been uncounted.  It will be long before anyone will know accurately what the toll of the flood in dollars will be.

In some respects the Marietta flood was worse than the one at Dayton.  At Dayton the destruction was sudden and complete, while in Marietta the waters came slowly.  It was an awful, never-to-be-forgotten sight - that of seeing the good people of this city stand by and watch the fruits of their labors carried to destruction.  The width and depth of the two streams at our door added to the remorselessness of the attack.

With the dawn of a a week ago Thursday, the sleeping populace awoke with a startle at the roar of mighty waters about their homes.  The night before the rivers appeared to be as safe as miles away.  But higher and higher they came till darkness with its chill from off the torrents fell heavily over the valley of gloom and destruction.  Lights went out.  Gas fires were drowned.

People who at the first word of warning moved to their second floors were preparing to move to their third floors if they had them; others to their attics or roof tops or onto the few barges that could be rushed from the river front.

Time and the oncoming waters were entered in a race for life and valuables.  Grim death lurked, but lost.

Very soon thoughts of saving homes and other property turned to thoughts of being saved and of saving loved ones.  Yet it was with reluctancy that many finally fled, leaving everything at the mercy of the waters.  With it all there were many thrilling rescues.

Homes that were not completely submerged or carried away were buried to a depth that left none of their contents untouched by the muddy waters.  The savings of a lifetime have been lost by many.  Some have no place that they can call home.

The gruelling work of rehabilitation goes slowly on today.  Only those who have lived through these scenes of terror can have any conception of the havoc wrought by such a great deluge.

The Marietta flood as a part of the terrible catastrophe over all Ohio takes rank with the great calamities of recent times.

For the moment rich and poor are on an equality of need.  Industries are idle, railroad traffic is paralyzed and bridges are swept away.  State and federal aid is needed.  The very means of living are obliterated, while want and disease are on every hand.

Right now quick help is real help.  The people of this city will ask no odds of the world once they are on their feet, but for the moment they are prostrate.  The response to the calls for food, clothing and shelter during the days of the flood and since the water left the streets have been liberal.  Greater needs than these, however, are ours.

The people of Marietta have been dealt a blow from which they can but stagger in an attempt to regain their former footing.

Burn Porch Lights

Owing to the present condition of the city lighting plant, people residing in the residence district of Marietta having porch lights are asked to keep them burning throughout the night.

At the present time these sections of the city are in total darkness except where a small amount of light creeps through an occasional window.  If the residents who have the porch lights will comply with this request, it will be appreciated.

Marietta, Columbus & Cleveland R. R.

Notice to the Public.

We have resumed regular freight and passenger service between West Marietta and all other points on our line and are in position to handle freight and passengers to and via points on the T. & O. C. so far as such service is now in effect.  A temporary freight and ticket office has been opened on the West Side at Harmar street and the railroad tracks, and any information may be secured through such agent or from the undersigned.

Consigners or shippers in Marietta Proper must arrange to receive or deliver any shipments for our line at the West Side, and we are not in position to receive or deliver freight this side of the river.  Passenger trains depart from West Marietta at 8:23 A.M. and 2:08 P.M., and arrive at 12:24 P.M. and 6:12 P.M.

This arrangement will be in effect until further notice.

F. G. Smith

General Freight & Passenger Agent.

News of the River

The stage of the river at the local wharf, this morning, was 16 feet and falling.  The Joe Fowler left for Pittsburgh this afternoon at one o'clock.  The Rainbow cleared for St. Marys at one o'clock this afternoon.

Boil the Water

Health Officer Dr. McGee stated this morning, that at the present time there were only a few minor cases of sickness in the city.  He again urged the people to boil all water used for drinking or cooking purposes.

Cleaning Streets

The members of No. 1 fire department volunteered their services this morning, to assist in cleaning the streets.  The men commenced at Fourth and Scammel streets and are flushing with two sets of hose and a good water pressure.

Rescue Dog and Pig

Attracted by the bark of a dog from midstream, two men in a boat rowed alongside a barn which floated down the Ohio, on Wednesday.  Inside they found a hungry bird dog and a pig.  The animals were brought ashore and appropriated by a refugee.

Restaurant Opens

The Superior Restaurant on Second street, is the only eating house in the city open for business.  The place was opened Wednesday, and thousands have been fed there.

Idle Men Must Work

Owing to the demand for laborers to clean the streets and the large number of able-bodied men who are being provided for and who refuse to work, M. M. Rose and J. C. Brenan were appointed upon a committee, Friday evening, at the meeting of the General Relief Committee to confer with mayor Leeper in regard to drafting these men.

The matter will be discussed at the meeting of the relief committee this afternoon, and it is believed that definite action will be taken.

The same system was established in Parkersburg and the flooded district of that city is now free from mud.

WANTED - 100 men and 30 teams.  Apply at the City Building at 6 A.M. or noon.

The Grand Theatre opened yesterday and delighted a large audience with moving pictures.

Pontoon Bridge Will Be Built

Marietta cannot secure a pontoon bridge from the government, according to a statement made by Congressman George White this afternoon, who has taken the matter up with the Secretary of War.

The government only has two bridges and these are both in use.

Mayor Leeper and Service Director Meisenhelder have taken the matter under consideration and have plans under way whereby the city will build a temporary pontoon bridge.  The work will be commenced as soon as possible.

Offer Use of Car

The Parkersburg, Marietta and Inter Urban Traction Company has offered the use of a car for hauling the mud and rubbish from this city.  Monday, several flat cars are promised, and the plan is to have three squads of fifty men each, to throw rubbish into the cars which will then be carried outside the city and dumped.

The plan was tried at Parkersburg and it proved a great success.  There the men were taken from the bread line and put on an eight hour shift and in 38 hours the streets were very clean.  The plan may go into effect tomorrow, and many of the local business men are willing to back it financially.

Police In Charge

Police were stationed at each of the commissaries this afternoon and they are taking all the able-bodied men from the line.  These men are given the choice of working or going without provisions.  It is understood that seven agreed to work but the others refused.  If this plan does not work the men will be drafted.

Police Assist

The members of the police department have volunteered to help clean the streets of the city.  Some have gone to work on the West Side, while Officers Chamberlain and Wolfe are cleaning Front street near police headquarters.