February 27, 1936
"For the past few days we've had quite warm weather, taking the snow and ice off the streets in two or three days.
The ice gorge gave us much worry and did not let go until yesterday morning. Before going the water had raised over the Roscoe Road. After the gorge went out the road was cleared. The river soon started to rise again and now the gauge stands at 16 1/2 feet, which is five feet or more over the Roscoe Road.
Yesterday morning I was over at the bridge at 5:30 a.m. Owen Papham and I were there. Owen is weatherman here and Water Works Superintendent. The ice was not moving at the bridge but a clear spot was below the bridge where there had been solid ice. Owen asked me if I'd like to go down to Jack's Bridge. "Sure". We got in his machine and went down there to find the river rather low and clear of ice. We turned into McDermot's gravel pit to find the big gorge holding there where they attempted to move it with dynamite a few hours before. Two hours after we left there the jam let go and cleared a way through the center. Then after I left Owen, I went to the river - back of the well tanks. There I could cross to the lake park and the ice had come in and covered a good part of this spot. As I guessed, the ice went out on the raise and I doubt that dynamite helped much.
Last evening I was at the farm and the water was flowing all over it except at the high land. I was thinking that the water was falling. Then I looked across at the main channel and saw a steady parade of ice flowing that I had not observed coming up. I noticed the water creeping to the higher spots. I decided a jam had let go above and it was time for me to go to town. I beat the ice down and there was no sudden rise to cut me off."
February 27, 1936
D.C. Richard's Journal
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