FLOOD IN WISCONSIN by D. Downer

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 24, 1879

FLOOD IN WISCONSIN.

By D. Downer

Our town was visited on the evening of July 2 by one of the most terrible floods ever known in this part of the State. It commenced to rain about 9 o’clock P. M. An hour later, such a terrific hailstorm set in that it threatened at one time to demolish buildings, and to destroy the lives of horses and cattle which were not under shelter. Our village is situated on the Creek bottom, on either side of which the banks are high and steep. There are three mills within a distance of two hundred rods. At 11 P. M. all the gates were hoisted, and the water was running two feet deep over the dams. Soon afterward the upper dam gave way, carrying everything before it. The grist-mill, dam and all, went next. It was a large mill filled with grain; but it floated off like a feather. The third dam in the village also gave way, sweeping everything clean before it.

The family of Bro. Hill, living in the center of the valley, were all very sick with measles and whooping-cough. The family which lived in the next house were also sick, but they succeeded in wading as far as Bro. Hill’s, when they could get no farther; and as it was impossible to reach the shore, they all climbed, or were carried, up stairs, where they waited, expecting every moment to be swept away by the flood. The water rose several feet around the house; but, to their astonishment, the building remained unmoved. Daylight came, and our village people beheld what all were willing to acknowledge a manifestation of the providence of God. A large timber of the mill had stopped above the house, around which trees and timbers lodged, causing mud to settle around the building; while the water rushed by on either side, carrying barns, mills, and dams. Reapers, wagons, and millstones were carried miles below; yet these two families, right in the midst of the flood, were saved. They were all Sabbath-keepers, or children of Sabbath-keepers, with one exception.

Bro. Hill had formerly owned a house and lot in town; but a short time previous he had traded it for a farm. The house was nearly ruined, and the lot mostly washed away, which loss would have been his had he not traded. It is reported that forty-six who

were killed by the flood were buried yesterday; but there was no loss of human life here. We do not know of a mill in this part of the country that is in running order. The hail has destroyed much grain along the Chippewa valley.

We believe that the God who protected Bro. Hill in the flood, will also protect others who keep his commandments.

D. DOWNER.

Arkansaw, Wis., July 8, 1879.