The Great Flood of 1913 - pipTalk Forums

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Sadelite
Member Elite

since 2003-10-11

Posts 2519

0 posted 2004-02-22 04:23 PM

I can’t imagine the types of loss that surpass the small one I find.
Mine is only one of spirit, unlike those experienced in other times.
As I think back five creeks and rivers converging on Ohio towns
I have no right to be in the dumps and down.

(In 1913, March 23, rains began their fall upon Dayton,
a town of cultural innovation at the cutting edge of invention:
the cash register, automatic starter, Orville and Wilbur's airplanes,
and the poetry of Paul Lawrence Dunbar.)

Nine to eleven inches fell on saturated, melting snowground,
More water than spilt in thirty days over the fast Niagara.

The church bells had early rung, tongued their songs in hurried warning
As whistles blew against cruel wind heard throughout
Gem City; some chose to leave and other stay, as nothing
substantially severe had ever come in Dayton’s way.

Of no major concern at 4:00 a.m., thinking no more watered rise,
By 5:50, March 25, Fred Aring, telegraph operator, no more surmised
safety was in force; for the past fifteen minutes
he wrote that water rose one inch for every five in time.

It had climbed the Riverdale Levee and left broken the Monument one,
Freeing waters all at once, gushing downtown at speeds
twenty-five miles per hour, as fast as some automobiles might try;
How fast could the freshly awakened run?

‘Twas a wet, and icy frightening time, when no further in travel
than to roof with loved ones just in time
Before the unwelcome slimy shadow of death tried to climb
Through cracks beneath the door,
Climbing step by step, leaving its watermark behind.

In scurried flight to rooftop,
Had they grabbed food and duds,
Food to nourish and clothes to warm
Them against the heartless flood?

What would they have worn,
No raincoats of plastic yet born?
Bearing only family,
Heaped on rooftop, heaped on selves.

Some would wait five days for rescue while stuck in trees,
Some on fours on electric lines, some awaited with precious sacks
of crying infants on their backs, not to be lost if arms detached
the place of anchor when tossed against muddied rush.

All in watch of events below, barns uprooted, floating
With burning hay, ignited by gas lines,explosions in display.
Horses freed from carriages, swam to upper ground, pigs unable
To swim without severing veins, only in vain they drowned.

Most were left dangling without food,
But miracles sometimes happened,
Floodwater rose and shuffled crated food
Just below their noses, in bravery outstretched grabbed.

The lucky plucked up chickens and barned them inside to assure
Stomachs would cry no louder than the storms spread loud and wide.
Cows climbed stairs to bedroom, new milking stall;
Kept alive, material goodness gone; alive, loved, alive.

Good comes from bad; churches and factories waged
Soup lines and tent cities sprung on highlands.
Any man with boat volunteered rescue efforts to afloat
the tiding waves unearthing trees and home debree.

Three hundred-sixty one left that week, all loved
But never to return.
Soon united, a Conservancy District was formed
To prevent sadness first-hand learned.

Note:
Much of this information was gathered at  http://www.daytonhistory.org/glance_flood.htm  http://www.miamiconservancy.com/Flood_Protection_&_Water_Management/Great_Fl..

Of interest:1400 horses died during this disaster.
Thanks to the insight ofJohn H. Patterson of the National Cash Register Company many people were rescued and given care.

[This message has been edited by Sadelite (02-23-2004 12:53 AM).]

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

1 posted 2004-02-22 04:36 PM

Looks like you did your homework on this one! Very good.

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

2 posted 2004-02-22 04:49 PM

(big angel hugs) Oh Sadelite, I was 70 years young when this tragedy occurred, yet I know too well of these natural disasters, whether it is tornadoes or earthquakes like the one in Iran just recently or hurricanes and it is most unfortunate! (sad sigh) My heart goes out to all in 1913 who feel victim to this flood and to victims of all other forces of nature, God Bless You, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Sadelite, thank you for sharing!

May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"You'll find something that's enough to keep you
But if the bright lights don't receive you
You should turn yourself around and come back home" MB20

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

3 posted 2004-02-22 07:02 PM

outstanding work! I'm in awe!

Sadelite
Member Elite

since 2003-10-11

Posts 2519

4 posted 2004-02-22 07:58 PM

iliana,
   Yes.  I did do some homework, had a few rhyming verses written and threw them out to the wind today.  This is what returned. I have thought about these events since the 1970's when I read Alan Eckert's book about the 1913 flood.   He is my favorite author, bringing such vivid pictures to mind.
   I'm glad you took the time to read my long winded somewhat rhyme...
              Sadie

Sadelite
Member Elite

since 2003-10-11

Posts 2519

5 posted 2004-02-22 08:04 PM

Noah,
   I'm so glad you found this.  You have a heart that would know my words.  Thank you,
valued friend.
               Sadie

Passing Shadows,
   This puts you no more in awe than I am when I read your work.  You are a marvelous writer.
             Sadie

Professor Gloom
Member Elite

since 2000-07-23

Posts 3082
of Depression

6 posted 2004-02-23 09:26 AM

Well done
I always like a little history lesson
Spices the poetry

Gloom

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart