Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 June 1889 — A THRILLING NARRATIVE. [ARTICLE]

A THRILLING NARRATIVE.

Of all the woeful incidents connected with the flood catastrophe, the fate of Banker John Dibert’s family ranks fore? most among the most mournful. Mr. Dibert and his whole family, with the exception oione son, perished with the thousands that went down with the awful torrent. When the flood came sweeping down upon the doomed city the banker gathered his family around him and prepared to meet death. They all crowded around the bay-window in the,handsome three-storv brick residence on Main street and watched their neighbors go down the vallev of death by the score, knowing full well that it was only a question of minutes, yea, second?, until their turn would surely come, and they, too, with the multitude of dead and dying would be hurled down the maddening torrent. Suddenly the big brick house began to waver, then shudder, when a large stone above the window was torn away and a portion of the house fell in Upon the body of the banker’s daughter, almost crushing her. At the same instant the flood rushed into the house and carried the family down the raging stream. 6 6

While this was going on, a most dramatic scene was being enacted at the home of Wm. Dibert, the banker’s married son. Both houses were located on the same street, and the son, irom where he stood, could almost seer-the* agony of his parents and brothers and Bisters as they met their fate. The younger Dibert family-husband, wife and two children, girls, Laura and Flora, aged twelve and eight years respectively —were forced from the ground floor of their home to the second floor, thence to the third *nd finally to the roof by tne rapidly swelling torrents. Even on the roof thev were half submurged by the water. When the water reached the roof of Will Dibert’s residence, the family formed a circle, clasped their hands around each other’s neck, and all bowed accent as the father said: “Let come what will, we will die together.” On they held with a terrible fate staring Miem jn the face, yet their courage never failed. They were prepared for anything, and were determined that if one should go all would perish. Suddenly a ray of hope dawned upon them. The town was illuminated by the burning debris, and by the light they could see the water mark on the steeple of the Catholic church. The water had commenced to recede. It continued and their house stood tne test. It never moved, and on Saturday the family w erc rescued, though almost naked. They had lost ali but tbeir lives. _____