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Memories etched in mud

The Flood of 1965 remembered 

Ray Childs had just been elected to the post of Crawford County Sheriff in the fall of 1964. He remembers the flood well. So does Bill Howe, former editor of the Courier Press. And so does Dorothy Reed, who still lives in the same house on Main Street that she lived in 1965. She says she still worries a little every spring. "I always worry about the water when it starts to come up," she said. They remember the frustration, the nasty cold, windy, rainy weather during the flood. They remember how people pulled together and helped one another. And they remember the smell of the mud. "There was so much water covering a huge area, and nobody knew when it was going to stop," said Howe. "All of Prairie du Chien was affected, and half of it was underwater," said Ray Childs. Flood predictions that came from the National Weather Bureau at that time were not as accurate as what we get today. Howe noted how predictions from the Corps of Engineers that proved more accurate, were not readily available to authorities. People struggling to keep homes and possessions as dry as possible were frustrated because they did not know how high the water would go. "People were totally unaware of the magnitude of the flood; it was a total surprise," Howe said. The city was almost completely cut off. The bridge to the Iowa side was closed. People who used the bridge to travel to work every day were forced to risk a boat trip or miss work and paychecks. Rail lines went underwater. Highway 35 was closed all the way to Lansing and was underwater in several locations. Commercial river traffic stopped. But people still ventured forth in their own boats, as needs dictated. Dorothy Reed remembers spending part of the flood in a house on the ridge above Marquette, but boating across the channel to check on her home and get to work at Kozelka's. Crossing the channel was scary she said. "You had to lay down in the boat to get under high lines," she said. Auxiliary police patrolled flooded areas round the clock to keep people out of flooded areas. According to Childs the patrols were mainly to keep people off the water for safety and because boat wakes could throw weakened structures off their foundations or cause other damage. "Nobody was supposed to be on the Island [St. Feriole] without a permit," he said. Both Childs and Howe remembered how some families stayed in the waterlogged Fourth Ward through the whole ordeal. Several members of the Fernette family simply moved out of their houses and onto their house boats, Childs recalled. Joe and Esther Pitzer remained in their Fourth Ward home at 132 North Second Street by moving into an upstairs apartment. Official boat patrols of the area would often stop at the Pitzers. "If the light was on, the coffee was hot," Howe recalls. The evacuation of St. Feriole Island residents had begun early in the flood. People drove down to the area with their trucks to help out. A city truck and a National Guard vehicle also assisted. Some people in town who were not affected by the flood opened their homes to families in need of a place to stay or a place to store things. Child's daily log also reveals the spirit of cooperation demonstrated by residents: "Friday, April 16 River stage 19'4" Worked in office, telephones and radio very busy. Lunch wagon in operation. Boat patrols report people cooperating very well. Ambro Park ‹17 cottages flood water 6' deep. Lakeview all under water. [Police] Chief Lyons put on extra help to patrol fertilizer plant, closed down for the duration." Several people recalled the hard work and dedication ofNona Wiman, who directed the activities of the Red Cross in the city. Wiman registered evacuated families for aid for after the water receded as well helping them with immediate needs such as shelter. She organized the lunch wagon that fed wet and weary sandbag crews. Childs also noted that the women of the city were very involved in relief efforts. When it was over, the clean-up began. "Everything was stinky, slimy," said Howe. High school students from throughout the area, loosely organized as the Youth Corps, went from house to soggy house to help shovel mud out of kitchens, pile up mounds of ruined, discarded items and scrub and sanitize walls and floors. Muddy streets were lined with heaps of debris. Vehicles coming off St. Feriole Island dragged mud onto every city street. Howe recalls a funny scene when he saw a woman scolding her children for tracking mud in the house, but there was still water covering her yard. Clean-up dragged into the summer and hot weather brought grass poking through the mud covered yards. "Even when the grass began to grow, everything still smelled that stink," Howe said. Looking back, Childs noted with amazement that there were no fatalities during the height of the flood. With the tragic exception of three-year-old Mark Harris who drowned during the clean-up of his family's home, "There were no accidents, no drownings," according to Childs.

Three Valedictorians will share the spotlight at Prairie du Chien's 2005 commencement
Victoria Pettera Victoria Pettera, daughter of Mark and Lisa Pettera, is one of three Co-Valedictorians for the Class of 2005. Victoria has proved her merit in academics. She has been named to the high honor roll for seven semesters, and is a member of the National Honor Society. She has been named an All-American Scholar, received the Academic All-State Award, and Scholar Athlete award. Miss Pettera is a USAA National English Merit award winner, and is listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students as well as receiving a nomination to the National Young Leaders Conference. At school she has been active in the Biology Club, People Actively Linked with Students (PALS), the International Club and Prom and Homecoming committees. She was named the 2004 Homecoming Queen. Victoria has been very active in sports. She has been on the PdC Cross country team throughout her high school career, serving as co-captain last year as well as qualifying for the state meet. She also played on the basketball team and ran on the track team for three years. Music is another interest for Victoria. She plays the piano and is a percussionist in the school band and has been involved in solo/ensemble competitions. She also sang in the choir and participated in the school musicals and drama. Victoria has also been active in her community. She has been a member of Students Offering Service for four years, as well as volunteering at a wide rage of community activities such as the Eagles telethon, the Easter Egg Hunt and school blood drives to name a few. Victoria plans to attend UW-Madison this fall and major in Pharmacy.

Meggan Key Meggan Key, daughter of Ivan and Janet Key was also named a Co-Valedictorian. In academics Meggan has earned her position as co-valedictorian by being named to High Honor Roll for every semester of her high school career. She has been named to Who's Who Among American High School Students and been a member of the National Honor Society for two years, serving as president this year. She also received the Foreign Language Award. At school, Meggan has been active in a number of clubs and activities including Homecoming committee Biology Club, PALS, SOS, Letterwinner Club, International Club, Powder Puff, and Prom committee. In athletics, Meggan has played on the Volleyball, Basketball and Softball teams. Her junior year she was captain of the basketball team and winner of the Blackhawk Award and received the Three Sports Letter Winner award. Miss Key has been very active in the community, especially with kids sports, working with Whiz Kids and Prairie girls and boys basketball and serving as a teeball instructor in Eastman among many other things. Meggan plans to attend the UW-La Crosse this fall to begin work on a pre-medicine major. She hopes to become a pediatrician.

Whitney Hill Whitney Hill is the third Co-Valedictorian of Prairie du Chien High School Class of 2005. She is the daughter of Sut and Tammy Hill. In academics, Whitney has been named to the High Honor Roll. Whitney has been an active participant in school activities including Key Club, National Honor Society, International Club and served on this years' Homecoming committee. In athletics, Whitney ran cross country and track and played basketball. Whitney plays the clarinet in the band and has participated in conference and sectional music competitions. Miss Hill plans to attend the UW-Madison and major in Biology with hopes of going on to medical school.