LeMars Globe-Post
Monday, June 22, 1953
MAYOR OF OYENS SAYS DEEP CREEK WAS WORSE IN 1892
Slow To Rebuild, and More Trackage Lost
Frank Fiedler, Mayor at Oyens, said today that the county bridge south of Oyens did not go out in the flood two weeks ago, but that the south edge was undermined and there was a 35-ft. hole to be filled, closing the road until Wednesday this week.
On Wednesday noon the hole had been filled and the Mauer Construction Co. did the job. Over 540 loads of dirt were required to curb up the piling, fill the hole and fill in at the edges of the road made narrow by the flood.
Mr. Fiedler said he was 11 years old in 1892 when the Deep Creek flood struck in Plymouth County. Although there were not as many bridges or railroad bridges here at that time, when the flood waters had receded, there were no bridges left in Plymouth County. People drove their buggies through the creeks to get to town.
At that time there was twice as many feet of railroad track out in the area between here and Remsen, Mr. Fiedler said. Although Leeds was not built up at that time, Henry Masuen, grandfather of the Masuen families, was in the furniture business in Leeds and his business was completely ruined.
In the flood of 1926, the Million Dollar Corner was destroyed. That is, the road at that Point was washed out. There are stories of how people driving at that time from the north were overtaken by waters as it rushed down upon them and they drove through the water up to the running boards.
One lady said as she drove they were sure they would be drowned because of the high water but could not find a place to pull in. As they drove south, they found the road dry.
However, the flood waters did reach Leeds and Sioux City. At that time when the residents of Leeds and Sioux City had been warned of the water coming, they would not believe it and did not take their belongings to safety.
This year most residents did not have any warning about the onrushing flood waters and did not save their furnishings.