USA > California > Sacramento County > History of Sacramento County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, 1913 > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105
W. T. Crowell, collector; Samuel Poorman, treasurer; W. R. Hinkson, city attorney; Add C. Hinkson, superintendent of schools.
1875-Christopher Green, first trustee and mayor; W. F. Knox, second trustee; James McCleary, third trustee; M. S. Horan, police judge; E. M. Stevens, chief of police; P. L. Hickman, city auditor and clerk; Fred A. Shepherd, assessor; W. T. Crowell, collector; Samuel Poorman, treasurer; W. A. Anderson, city attorney; A. C. Hinkson, superintendent of schools.
1876-Christopher Green, first trustee and mayor; W. F. Knox, second trustee; James McCleery, third trustee; M. S. Horan, police judge; E. M. Stevens, chief of police; P. L. Hickman, city auditor and clerk; Fred A. Shepherd, assessor; W. T. Crowell, collector; J. N. Porter, treasurer; W. A. Anderson, city attorney; A. C. Hinkson, superintendent of schools.
1877-Christopher Green, first trustee and mayor; W. F. Knox, second trustee; James McCleery, third trustee; Thomas Conger, police judge; E. M. Stevens, chief of police; E. H. McKee, city auditor and clerk; Fred A. Shepherd, assessor; G. A. Putnam, collector; J. N. Porter, treasurer; W. A. Anderson, city attorney; A. C. Hinkson, superintendent of schools.
1878- Jabez Turner, first trustee and mayor; W. F. Knox, second trustee; James McCleery, third trustee; Thomas Conger, police judge; E. M. Stevens, chief of police; E. H. McKee, city auditor and clerk ; Fred A. Shepherd, assessor; G. A. Putnam, collector; J. N. Porter, treasurer ; H. L. Buckley, city attorney; A. C. Hinkson, superintendent of schools.
1879- Jabez Turner, first trustee and mayor; W. F. Knox, second trustee; Josiah Johnson, third trustee; W. A. Henry, police judge; E. M. Stevens, chief of police; E. H. McKee, city auditor and clerk ; Fred A. Shepherd, assessor; George A. Putnam, collector; J. N. Porter, treasurer; H. L. Buckley, city attorney; F. L. Landes, super- intendent of schools.
1880- Jabez Turner, first trustee and mayor; Jerome C. Davis, sec- ond trustee; Josiah Johnson, third trustee; W. A. Henry, police judge; Matt Karcher, chief of police; E. H. McKee, city auditor and clerk; Fred A. Shepherd, assessor; George A. Putnam, collector; W. E. Chamberlain, treasurer; W. A. Anderson, city attorney; F. L. Landes, superintendent of schools.
1881-John Q. Brown, first trustee and mayor; Jerome C. Davis, second trustee (died October 5, 1881, before expiration of his term) ; Josiah Johnson, third trustee; W. A. Henry, police judge; Matt Karcher, chief of police; E. H. McKee, city auditor and clerk; Fred A. Shepherd, assessor; George A. Putnam, collector; W. E. Chamber- lain, treasurer; W. A. Anderson, city attorney; F. L. Landes, super- intendent of schools.
1882-John Q. Brown, first trustee and mayor; John Ryan, second
7
102
HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY
trustee; William Gutenberger, third trustee; W. A. Henry, police judge; M. Karcher, chief of police; E. H. McKee, city auditor and clerk; Fred A. Shepherd, assessor; George A. Putnam, collector; W. E. Chamberlain, treasurer; W. A. Anderson, city attorney; J. R. Lane, superintendent of schools.
1883 -- John Q. Brown, first trustee and mayor; John Ryan, second trustee; William Gutenberger, third trustee; W. A. Henry, police judge; Matt Karcher, chief of police; E. H. McKee, city auditor and clerk; Fred A. Shepherd, assessor; George A. Putnam, collector; W. A. Anderson, city attorney; J. R. Lane, superintendent of schools.
1884-John Q. Brown, first trustee and mayor; H. B. Neilson, second trustee; William Gutenberger, third trustee; W. A. Henry, police judge; Matt Karcher, chief of police; W. E. Chamberlain, treas- urer; E. H. McKee, city auditor and clerk; Fred A. Shepherd, as- sessor; George A. Putnam, collector; W. A. Anderson, city attorney; J. R. Lane, superintendent of schools.
1885-John Q. Brown, first trustee and mayor; William Guten- berger, third trustee; E. H. McKee, city auditor and clerk; J. J. Buckley, assessor; George A. Putnam, collector; W. A. Henry, police judge; O. C. Jackson, chief of police; J. N. Porter, treasurer; W. A. Anderson, city attorney; J. R. Lane, superintendent of schools.
1886-Jolın Q. Brown, first trustee and mayor; H. B. Neilson, second trustee; W. R. Jones, third trustee; E. H. McKee, city auditor and clerk; J. J. Buckley, assessor; J. N. Porter, treasurer; George A. Putnam, collector; W. A. Henry, police judge; H. F. Dillman, chief of police; E. C. Hart, city attorney; M. R. Beard, superintendent of schools.
1887-Eugene J. Gregory, first trustee and mayor; John Ryan, second trustee; W. R. Jones, third trustee; E. H. McKee, city auditor and clerk; J. J. Buckley, assessor ; George A. Putnam, collector ; Henry L. Buckley, police judge; H. F. Dillman, chief of police; E. C. Hart, city attorney; W. E. Gerber, treasurer; M. R. Beard, superintendent of schools.
1888-Eugene J. Gregory, first trustee and mayor; John Ryan, second trustee; H. C. Wolf, third trustee; E. H. McKee, city auditor and clerk; J. J. Buckley, assessor; George A. Putnam, collector; Henry L. Buckley, police judge; Timothy Lee, chief of police; E. C. Hart, city attorney; M. R. Beard, superintendent of schools.
1889-Eugene J. Gregory, first trustee and mayor; William Mc- Laughlin, second trustee; H. C. Wolf, third trustee; F. H. McKee, city auditor and clerk; J. J. Buckley, assessor; George A. Putnam, col- lector; Henry L. Buckley, police judge; Timothy Lee, chief of police ; W. S. Church, city attorney; W. E. Gerber, treasurer; M. R. Beard, superintendent of schools.
1890-W. D. Comstock, first trustee and mayor; William Mc- Laughlin, second trustee; H. C. Wolf, third trustee; E. H. McKee,
103
HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY
city auditor; George A. Putnam, collector; J. J. Buckley, assessor ; W. E. Gerber, treasurer; Henry L. Buckley, police judge; Warren F. Drew, chief of police; E. C. Hart, city attorney; Albert Hart, superin- tendent of schools.
1891-W. D. Comstock, first trustee and mayor; William Mc- Laughlin, second trustee; Alonzo Conklin, third trustee; J. D. Young, auditor; George A. Putnam, collector; J. J. Buckley, assessor; W. E. Gerber, treasurer; R. O. Cravens, police judge; W. F. Drew, chief of police; E. C. Hart, city attorney; Albert Hart, superintendent of schools.
1892-W. D. Comstock, first trustee and mayor; E. H. Green, second trustee; Alonzo Conklin, third trustee; J. D. Young, auditor; George A. Putnam, collector; W. E. Gerber, treasurer; J. J. Buckley, assessor ; R. O. Cravens, police judge; John B. Rodgers, chief of police; F. C. Hart, city attorney; Albert Hart, superintendent of schools.
1893-B. U. Steinman, first trustee and mayor; F. H. Green, second trustee; Alonzo Conklin, third trustee; J. D. Young, auditor; George A. Putnam, collector; W. E. Gerber, treasurer; J. J. Buckley, assessor; H. L. Buckley, police judge; John B. Rodgers, chief of police; C. N. Post, city attorney; Albert Hart, superintendent of schools.
A new charter for the city went into force January 8, 1894, by which the number of trustees was increased from three to nine, the mayor being elected separate from the board, and the trustees being elected to severally represent the nine wards of the city
1894-95-B. U. Steinman, mayor; W. D. Lawton, president of board of trustees; trustees: H. Wachhorst, Robert E. Kent, J. G. Davis, W. H. Bragg, L. Tozer, J. H. Devine, C. E. Leonard, T. J. Pen- nish, W. D. Lawton; J. D. Young, auditor and assessor; J. N. Porter, treasurer; E. H. McKee, collector; J. Frank Brown, city attorney; M. M. Drew, chief of police; O. S. Flint, city clerk; Albert Hart, super- intendent of schools.
1896-97-C. H. Hubbard, mayor; C. E. Leonard, president of board of trustees; trustees: H. Wachhorst, R. E. Kent, James G. Davis, D. W. MeKay, L. Tozer, J. H. Devine, C. E. Leonard, T. J. Pennish, C. H. Bentley ; J. D. Young, auditor and assessor; D. W. Carmichael, treasurer; C. C. Robertson, collector; J. Frank Brown, city attorney ; M. J. Desmond, city clerk ; O. W. Erlewine, superintendent of schools.
1898-1899-Mayor, William Land; collector, C. C. Robertson ; treasurer, A. L. Frost; auditor and assessor, J. D. Young; trustees- F. F. Tebbets, R. E. Kent, C. W. Paine, D. Mckay, Philip Douglas, J. H. Devine; M. J. Desmond, clerk; chief of police, Thomas Dwyer (died in office, 1899) ; superintendent of schools, O. W. Erlewine. Mr. Erlewine has been regularly re-elected to the office and was the in-
104
HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY
cumbent until his resignation this spring under the present com- missioners.
1900-1901-Mayor, George H. Clark; collector, C. C. Robertson; auditor and assessor, J. D. Young; trustees-F. F. Tebbets, R. E. Kent, C. W. Paine, John C. Ing, Jr., Philip Douglas, James H. Devine, Henry P. Brown, M. R. Beard, J. H. Dolan; clerk, M. J. Desmond; chief of police, John C. Sullivan.
1902-1903-Mayor, George H. Clark; collector, C. C. Robertson; auditor and assessor, J. D. Young; treasurer, C. M. Prodger; trustees-F. F. Tebbets, R. E. Kent, J. G. Black, John C. Ing, Jr., S. H. Farley, J. H. Devine, Albert Elkus, M. R. Beard, E. J. Carra- gher; clerk, M. J. Desmond.
1904-1905-Mayor, W. J. Hassett; collector, J. E. Govan; auditor and assessor, W. D. Comstock; treasurer, C. M. Prodger; trustees- F. F. Tebbets (died 1904, George F. Rider appointed), Ed. McEwen, J. G. Black, John C. Ing, Jr., S. H. Farley, R. E. Callahan, Albert Elkus, James Popert, E. J. Carragher; clerk, M. J. Desmond; chief of police, Martin Coffey.
1906-1907-Mayor, M. R. Beard; collector, M. H. Spaulding; auditor and assessor, Fred W. Carey; treasurer, C. M. Prodger; trustees-George H. Rider, Ed. McEwen (died 1906, J. H. Schacht appointed), John C. Ing, Jr., M. J. Burke, R. E. Callahan, Harry A. Nauman, James Popert, E. J. Carragher ; clerk, M. J. Desmond; chief of police, John Denny.
1908-1909-Mayor, Clinton L. White; collector, L. H. Spaulding; auditor and assessor, Fred M. Carey; treasurer, C. M. Prodger; trustees-Geo. F. Rider, J. H. Schacht, J. T. Murphy, E. P. Hammond, M. J. Burke, B. F. Catlett, Harry A. Nauman, O. G. Hopkins, E. J. Carragher; clerk, M. J. Desmond; chief of police, John E. Sullivan.
1910-1911-Mayor, M. R. Beard; collector, L. H. Spaulding; auditor and assessor, Fred W. Carey (died in 1910, Edward Haynes appointed) ; treasurer, C. M. Prodger (died in 1911, W. C. Hendricks appointed) ; city attorney, J. V. Hart; trustees-George Rider, C. H. Schacht, J. T. Murphy, E. P. Hammond, M. J. Burke, B. F. Catlett, H. Hoffman (died in 1911, C. W. Mier appointed), O. G. Hopkins and E. J. Carragher ; clerk, M. J. Desmond; superintendent of streets, R. C. Irvine ; chief of police, William M. Ahern.
1912-1913-Mayor, M. R. Beard; anditor and assessor, Edward Haynes; collector, L. H. Spaulding; city attorney, J. V. Hart; treas- urer, D. McDougall; trustees-Geo. Rider, John W. Crone, J. B. Hicks, E. P. Hammond, M. J. Burke, G. C. Simmons, C. W. Mier, James Mangan and E. J. Carragher ; clerk, M. J. Desmond; superin- tendent of streets, R. C. Irvine; chief of police, William M. Ahern. William Johnson was appointed by the commissioners chief of police during the summer of 1913.
.AM M.
W HULLSALI GHOCEN
FIRST DEPOT OF THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY RAILROAD, BUILT IN 1862
K STREET IN THE '62 FLOOD
105
HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY
CHAPTER XV
FLOODS
The flood of 1850, heretofore mentioned as among the early dis- asters to the city, was only one of a series that devastated the city and county in later years, and some of which were far more wide- spread and destructive. Seasons of heavy rainfall have brought down from the mountains that bound the great Sacramento Valley on both sides torrents of rushing waters that have spread out over the low lands along the Sacramento river or overtopped the levees constructed to preserve the alluvial lands and swept away the banks erected as barriers, reminding man that his puny efforts to restrain and control the forces of nature were futile at such times. To-day the banks of the river in most places are crowned with substantial levees, many of them eighty to one hundred feet across the top, and holding back successfully the angry waters that surge and beat against them. But in many places these huge mounds have proved ineffectual in time of great floods, and the reclamation of the river lands and islands has been a costly and discouraging undertaking. The labor of months and years, costing many thousands of dollars, has often been swept away in a day and the fertile fields, often covered with a valuable crop, inundated and covered with several feet of sand and detritus.
Long before the white man settled in the valley did these floods occur at different periods. The Indian mounds of past generations, the remains of which frequently appear on the low lands along the rivers, bear mute testimony to the rise of the raging waters and the necessity forced upon the aborigines of providing for the safety of themselves and their families from the devouring waters. Their tra- ditions give an account of various floods before the white man invaded the valley. The great flood of 1805 forms an epoch in their history from which they still reckon in speaking of subsequent events. That of 1825-6 was often referred to by the older members of the tribes who camped along the river in the early days of the state. The floods of 1846-7 and of 1850 were familiar to the earliest pioneers and still remain vividly in the memories of the survivors of those days. The former did but little damage, for the reason that there was very little property subject to damage in those days. The latter, which has been referred to earlier in this volume, did an immense amount of damage to the infant city and occasioned much suffering.
On the evening of January 8, 1850, a terrible southeast storm set in, swelling the Sacramento river to such an extent that the slough on I street, between Second and Third, began to run over. Before night on Wednesday the water was running under the zinc building of Montgomery and Warbass, and torrents were rushing down Second and Third streets. On Thursday morning the whole city for a mile from the Embarcadero, except some high places on Tenth street, was
106
HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY
under water. The next day buildings were carried from their founda- tions. Very few buildings escaped having their lower floors flooded. The damage was immense, great quantities of provisions and goods being swept away. Dr. John F. Morse, in writing of the flood, says, among other things:
"At 10 o'clock on the evening of the flood, when the back waters of the sloughs and the waters that came in from the banks of the Sac- ramento were rushing into the city, tearing up sidewalks and dislodg- ing merchandise, sweeping away tents and upsetting houses,-at this very time, and throughout the inundation, the city seemed almost mad with boisterous frolic, with the most irresistible disposition to revel in all the drinking, talking, swearing, dancing and shouting that were ever patronized by the wine-drinking son of Jupiter and Semele.
"All the shipping and two-story houses became crowded with the unwebbed bipeds of hilarity and merriment. When hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise were being wrested from the merchants and traders by the sweeping currents that were running through the streets, in some places with irresistible force, no one could have found among the losers of the property a single dejected face or dejected spirit. There were no gloomy consultations, no long- ing looks cast upon the absconding produce, no animosities excited. A man who would purposely roll into the water that he might share in the general laugh that was entailed upon one who had accidentally fallen in, would not wet the sole of his foot to save a barrel of pork that was being carried off by the current.
"In the early part of this great flood small boats would bring almost any price on sale or hire. A common-sized whale boat would bring $30 an hour, and sell readily for $1,000; but in an incredibly short time every particle of lumber that would answer for boat or raft making was appropriated, and in a few days the people were enabled to emigrate to the adjacent hills, where settlements were made, similar to the Hoboken of 1853. It would be impossible to estimate the amount of property destroyed by this terrible visitation." Team- sters lost from forty to fifty yoke of oxen and a large number of horses and mules were drowned, write the historians. On the 18th the water so far subsided as to leave some dry spots on the Embar- cadero and most of Second street. The great number of cattle drowned created much discomfort to the people.
Another flood occurred in March, in which the city was saved from a second disaster by the energetic efforts of Hardin Biglow, who had built a levee across the slonghs at his own expense. This was the inception of the present system of levees which so effectually protects our city at present and renders it practically impregnable to the waters.
Two years later came another devastating flood. For some days prior to Sunday, March 7, 1852, both the Sacramento and American
107
HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY
rivers had taken on a threatening form, heavy rains in the foot-hills and a very heavy snowfall in the mountains having filled them bank full. About 1 a. m. Sunday the citizens were aroused from their slumbers by the clanging of the alarm bell, warning them of impending danger. Excited men soon thronged the streets, anxious to ascertain the cause. On investigation it was found that, owing to a sudden rise in the American river, the levee near its mouthi had given way and the water was rushing fast through a breach in its crumbling banks. The mayor, chief engineer and many citizens were soon on the ground. making every effort to avert disaster. Timber, hay, sacks of barley, dirt and other things were cast into the breach, but to no avail. The earth on which the timbers of the sluice gate rested became loosened and about two o'clock the bridge gave way and was swept away by the current into the slongh. Brooks' store house, on the levee, followed the bridge and as the opening widened the rush of waters increased and trees, houses, scows and tents were swept into the vortex and coming with tremendous force against the bridge across Third street snapped it like a pipe stem and it too was swept away, cutting off all communication with the peninsula and imperiling the safety of many residents.
Boats were quickly procured and after great exertions all were resened and conveyed to a place of safety. By four o'clock the water had reached the level of I street and was running up Second to J. The mayor issued a proclamation, calling on all to help stem the tide. A temporary embankment stopped the water at I street, but it soon found its way around to Seventh and submerged I street again. The embankment was continued to Seventh, where the ground was higher, but soon the water was pouring into J street through the slough. The Sacramento river at this time was two feet lower than in the flood of 1850, and lacked twenty inches of overtopping the levee, and the sloughs below the city contained less water than at the former flood. But the American was higher and was rising, while the Sacramento was stationary. The levee was crumbling and the water was trickling through and it appeared certain that the levee must yield to the rising waters. Much property had been destroyed already. Cattle, pigs and poultry floated by on the flood and the water stood from a few inches to two feet deep on the lower floors on I street. By six o'clock the city was almost wholly submerged, the buildings rising like so many pyramids on the desert over the face of the waters, only Sutter's Fort and the "Ridge" being above the flood.
By this time the American river, which had overflowed its banks, had crept insidiously around the city and a torrent rushed in on the opposite side. The east levee had broken and the water poured vio- lently in. The stores on K street were nearly all flooded several inches deep, but J street, being higher, was still above the flood. The entire city was wild with excitement. Every one who possessed goods or fur-
108
HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY
niture was removing them to higher apartments or ground. Houses on the outskirts were almost deserted and the residents took refuge on scows. Carpenters became boat builders, but there was not half enough material or labor on hand to supply the demand. The water still rose and by Monday morning scarcely a foot of land was visible in the city. Then a cold southeast wind rose and the water receded four inches by noon, but still stood two feet deep on K street and also covered J, but not so deeply. From the commencement communication with the outside had been cut off. Stages for Auburn and Nevada leaving on the 6th were forced to turn back. On the following day one was wrecked while trying to cross a slough at Sutter's race, and the horses were saved with difficulty. Little's bridge at Coloma, the bridge at Uniontown, the two covered bridges at Salmon Falls and all the bridges on the south and middle forks of the American river were carried away. Many horses and mules were drowned while trying to swim a deep slough near Brighton. Most of the losses sustained. however, were in the suburbs, or outside of the city. The merchants had, as a rule, profited by their experience in 1850, and removed their goods in time to escape damage.
But with all the damage and danger, not to say discomfort, the elastic spirits of the pioneers were undaunted. Many enjoyable ex- periences were not lacking and pleasure excursions took place over the submerged country outside. The Sacramento Daily Union of March 9, 1852, had the following to say :
"J street, up town, proved to be the center of attraction vester- day, and presented many enlivening and animating scenes through the day. Its bosom was covered with unique water craft of every con- ceivable description, and the ingenuity displayed in their construction was only equalled by the tact and skill with which they were managed. The greater number consisted of skiffs, and these constituted a regular line of ferry boats, plying from block to block. There were also freight boats laden with hay, harley, provisions, etc., which articles were transported in accordance with established rates. Then came the fancy sail boat of the man of leisure, shooting swiftly past the meaner craft and stretching upward for more sea room! We noticed one of these far out on the prairie, close-hauled to a southeast wind and apparently bound for Stockton. Among other craft, the omnibus boat was conspicuous. They are made by fastening two or three empty boxes together. These appeared to be the favorite conveyance of 'the people,' although scarcely a trip was successfully performed, owing to the pilots getting off their course, throwing their craft on their ends, and spilling their passengers overboard. Then, by hoisting signals of distress, these attracted the attention of some other catama- ran, which hore down to their relief. One cute chap built a big box with wheels attached, and after getting 'steam up' threaded his way through K street. Besides these, there were metallic boats, dug-outs,
109
HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY
hide boats and canoes-all filled with people, out on business or pleas- ure-all, too, joyous and happy. It was, in fact, an aquatic carnival, and the town was afloat on a frolic."
The high land at the head of I street, near the plaza, was densely crowded during the flood with human beings, wagons, tents, cattle and horses. As in the flood of 1850, the dwellers near the sloughs on the south side of the city and all those on lower ground escaped from the water and made this their camping ground. On J street a number of Mexicans and boys improved the opportunity given them by free water, of washing the surface ground in front of the different banking houses, in some instances with considerable success. The wild animals also sought refuge and fifteen rabbits were caught at one time in a dwelling near the slough, which proved a treacherous refuge for them. A large number of rats took up their abode on a big stump on Sixth street, where they were soon slaughtered by men and boys, much to the disgust of a crowd of Chinamen who deprecated the destruction of so much good food.
The flood lasted four days before it began to subside. Before this, those who had urged the necessity of a substantial levee on the river front to keep out the flood waters had been largely in the minority and their arguments had been scornfully rejected and they often sub- jected to public denunciation for advocating the incurring of such a needless expense. It was claimed and believed by many that even if a levee were built, the water would percolate through and undermine it. But public opinion now underwent a radical change. The last flood had demonstrated the fact that it might become an annual occur- rence and men thought it wise to heed the warning, and arrange- ments were made at once to construct more efficient levees.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.