The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-15
Scenes in the Inundated District.

CCchcS III inc Di5AiCss
Enquirer. Yesterday.
All day yesterday, on Fourth street and
below as far as the water would permit,
crowds of excited and inquirng people were
hurrying in all directions. There seemed to
have been an almost complete cessation of
business, and every one was anxious to see
the sights presented by the great food 1t
was with difficulty that the waters edge was
reached, so thick was the crowd. At the
foot OF the principal streets eager boatmen
were urging the crowd into their boats.
Especially at the foot of Walnut and Vine
streets were the crowds congregated From
these points the ferrymen started with their
loads toward the suspension bridge. There
were many more boats than could make
landing, and vastly more people anxious to
embark than the limited capacity OF the
many boats could accommodate.
Lively scenes were enacted on the suspen-
sion bridge. HundredS-yes, thousandS-of
people jostled and crowded each other here
in their desire to see the turbulent waters.
At the landing numerous collisions and
minor accidents occurred. People in their
eagerness to land or embark pushed each
other into the water, and many wet feet and
limbs resulted.
Every conceivable kind of small craft was
on the water from ships, yawls and small
barges to dug-outs and RATS made of single
planks. Sight-seers SKINNED over the water
in every direction. Boatloads of ladies'
fashlonably dressed, were no uncommon
sight. Men who owned property in the bot
toms were rowing about looking after their
interests. Boys and men, floating on inl-
provised RATS, were busy picking up what
ever drifted by on the current.
Relief boats on their missions of mercy,
propelled by strong arms, shot out in every
direction, each one bearing at its bow PEN
nant on which, in large letters was printed,
Chamber of Commerce Relief Committee"
Up and down alleys and along large tene-
ment houses they glided, carrying relief in
every direction.
AS they came under the windows the iso-
lated and imprisoned inmates let down bas-
kets from above which were bountifully
filed with bread, boiled ham, sugar, coffee
and other necessaries. The anxiety shown
in watching for the boats and the haste in
which the well-flled baskets were drawn up,
showed better than words can tell how great
was their need and how sore their distress
A reporter who followed the relief boat
in boat chartered for the purpose, counted
sixteen baskets, buckets and sacks hanging
out of the windows of one tenement-house
on Front street, Just as the relief boat hove
in sight. With greedy eyes they watched
Captain Walker as he and his assistants filled
the suspended vessels. Many of them are as
badly in want of fuel as they are of food.
Sickening and heart-rendng sights present
themselves on every side. All that is posi-
BILE is being done to aid the sufferers, how
ever, and every one in reach of the boats was
furnished with food yesterday.
The price of coal advanced in proportion
to the limited supply, retail dealers charging
from twenty-five to forty-five cents per
bushel by the sackful, while one family paid
s12 for small load. Twenty-Five dollars
per one hundred bushels is the standard
price from elevator.
Among the first contributions for the bene-
fit of the flood sufferers was 1000 in cash
ard the entire proceeds from the sale of 100
cases of Warmers safe kidney and liver cure,
or about $1,000. This generosity is highly
appreciated in Cincinnati, where Mr.. Warner
is well known. Mr.. NJ. Mosler, of the Mos
Ter Safe and Lock Company, has the disposi
ton of the funds