Heavy Storm Did Much Damage

HEAVY STORM DID MUCH DAMAGE

Ann Arbor Loses $5,000 on Streets and Culverts

STORM KING RAMPANI

Cellars of Houses Filled with Water - Trains Delayed for Hours

The heavy storm of Wednesday night did nearly $10,000 worth of damage in Ann Arbor, and the city itself is a heavy loser. The Huron river, which for some days has been higher than known in many years, was on a rampage. Allen's creek burst all bounds and there were lakes of water everywhere, while Traver's creek did a vast amount of damage.

The bridge over Traver's creek on Broadway was completely washed out and the road for twenty feet is gone. This will be a very heavy expense to the city to replace. The residence of Mrs. Shadford, at this point, was flooded, the cellar filled and exit from the house was obtained only by wading.

Allen's creek washed out the culvert at the foot of William street, taking the Ann Arbor tracks away at this point for a number of feet; it tore out the bank at the foot of Liberty street; at Felch street the tracks were carried away for a long distance. At this point there was a big hole made 100 feet long and 10 feet deep. The culvert here is gone. The houses of George Sweet and "Doc." Collins were flooded both being surrounded with water.

At Miller avenue both ends of the culvert were washed out. George Coburn's house was flooded here and his chicken coop washed away. He lost 30 chickens, Officer O'Mara rescuing four. Mr. Coburn, while leaning over to rescue some of the wreckage, lost a book out of his pocket containing a $5 bill, which rapidly sped from view. Officer Kelsey lost a shoe in rescuing wreckage here. Richards' coal office was flooded and the banks of the race of the Argo Mills were torn out.

A lake of water extended from Sauer's mill, on Main street, to Weinberg's park on Fifth avenue. Ferry field was another lake and South State street was badly washed. South Main street, in front of the Birk place, was washed out.

Property all over the city, but especially that in the west and south ends was damaged by water.

The foundation of the house at 316 Second street, which is occupied by Delbert Mallory, was washed away from the rear end. The house stands near a small creek which during the recent rains has overflowed its banks. During the storm last night the water overflowed the yard and rose so high that it completely filled the basement of the house which is occupied by the family as dining room and kitchen. About one o'clock the force of the water broke through the wall and carried away both the wall and all of the lighter pieces of furniture. The family became so alarmed that they moved out and spent the remainder of the night with neighbors.

F. Bernhardt's back yard, on South Fourth avenue, is a small lake and floating on the surface are sixteen drowned chickens.

Weinberg's garden, at the foot of Fourth avenue, is completely under water and all of the neighbors in that vicinity are confined to the house by the high water, unless they are fortunate enough to have a boat at hand.

The Huron river swelled so that the adjoining pasture on the south side was entirely covered with water.

The track of the Ann Arbor railroad leading to Dean & Co.'s warehouses settled, letting down several loaded cars.

Two of the electric cars on West Huron street were off the track during the night.

The wrecking crew on the Ann Arbor was sent for and arrived at about 3:45 this morning and went at work immediately to put their tracks in shape so that it was possible for trains to pass. The train from the north passed through this afternoon an hour and a half late.

When the east and west bound trains on the Michigan Central arrived last night at 10 o'clock the station was flooded to the entrance and it was with great difficulty that the passengers left the depot. Owing to the two washouts between here and Jackson, the trains were all late this morning. Two east bound trains were obliged to make the run over the Lake Shore road by way of Hillsdale.

People out at midnight had great difficulty in passing to and from the second ward and tried many street crossings before getting over.

Street Commissioner Ross and Alderman Schumacher were out all night trying to do what they could to save property and putting out danger signals.

Olivia avenue was badly washed out over its whole extent.

The road at the corner of Seventh and Madison streets was very badly washed out.

A number of people came in to see Gentry's circus. The circus got stalled at Chelsea. It was there yet at 11:30 this forenoon. No trains had come in from the west at 3 o'clock this afternoon and there had been no western mails in. It was expected, however, that the east bound trains on the Michigan Central would be through shortly after 4 this afternoon.

The cars on the D., Y., A. A. & J. were unable to get past Grass Lake and cars have been run to Chelsea and backed to Ann Arbor. The theatre car from Detroit last night was held up until 4 o'clock this morning. A number of Ann Arborites were on board.

People were much surprised not to hear of great damage by lightning this morning. The reports were like artillery discharges and the rain came down in torrents.

All over the country the low lands were flooded. Much corn is under water and whether the land is high or low, all depressions in it became lakes. The damage to the crops was considerable.