On March 27, 1881, the Missouri River suddenly burst from its icy winter covering and overflowed its banks for 1,000 miles. The icy waters paused for nothing. Water up to six feet deep left citizens to watch helplessly from rooftops and hilltops as the mighty river ruthlessly washed away 350 miles of river bottom from Pierre to Vermillion, and whole villages were trapped and drowned in just two hours. But reaction was swift, and the surviving towns and individuals came quickly to the rescue in various manners. As one witness put it, "Each citizen has apparently vied with the other in devoting his energy to the relieving of the suffering of hundreds and in days in the far distant future it will be a proud recollection for all who took part in the rescue."

• The town of Yankton, South Dakota, voted to use all of the available county funds and $200 in grasshopper relief funds for reconstruction.

• Women in the cities organized a relief society that made clothing and bedding, cared for the sick, and distributed food.

• A Gayville man crowded 140 people into the safety of his home until rescuers arrived.

• Many men risked their lives to navigate tiny boats through the turbulent and icy waters to help people stranded on bluffs and in elevated structures.

• An old man and a girl were rescued from their house as it was being dragged off by the river when two men in a skiff cut a hole in the roof of the house so that the two victims could escape.

• One hundred people were given shelter in a house in Green Island.

Missouri River . Mississippi River . Red River . Bibliography

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