John Miller
There was a lull in devastating floods in Matamoras for a period of about 20 years after the major flood of 1913. The town commemorated the highest water it had ever experienced with a high water plaque attached to the steps of the Cline & Son store on Main Street. The plate is embedded in the concrete to this day.
Then came the flood of 1936. It occurred in February and, until December of the following year, there would be five floods that covered the bottom lands, caused property damage, and closed State Route 7 above and below town. Matamoras reverted to its “island” status once more.
John Miller
The initial trip from Matamoras to Marietta to help in relief of the March 1913 flood found the situation to be more dire than originally indicted. The packet boat, Evelyn, on her return to Matamoras received another load of cargo and headed downriver again.
This time additional volunteers joined the transit. The incentive of those traveling was twofold. One was to aid in relief and the other was based on the concern about family members and acquaintances who had moved to Marietta.
All the way down the river the relief committee found devastation: at Beavertown, Newport, Saint Marys, and numerous small crossroads along the way. At Beavertown residents had managed to land ten houses by dragging them out of the waters as they swept past.