The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-04-30
ANOTHER KANSAS FLOOD.

ANOTHER KANSAS FLOOD.
Involving Great Loss of Life and Prop.
erty.
MEDICINE LODGE, VIA HARPER, KAN,
April 2S--ruesday morning terrible rain
fall visited Barber County swelling the
Medicine River and Elm Greek, streams
that pass on two sides of the city, far be-
yOnd anything ever heard in this county.
Elm Greek is in the northwest part of the
county and is fed by numerous small
streams and these were all filled TO their
banks in less than one hours time. AT
this place, where the stream IS usually
confined 20 shallow channel sixty feet wide,
il spread over the first and second bottoms
distance of from half mile to a mile
and was fifteen feet deep In the bottom
directly east of town were fifty houses, al
occupied, and no less than dozen of these
were entirely destroyed and in many cases
THEIR OCCUPANTS EITHER DROWNED
or were only saved by clinging to the
branches of trees. Camped in this bottom
were ten or fifteen emigrant wagons filled
with families, and not half the occupants
have yet been found. North of here entire
families were drowned while others made
miraculous escapes. All of yesterday and
last night the streams were so high that no
communication could be had with the East
and to-day the first mail matter and dis
patches were sent out The business
houses of this city were closed Yesterday
and every man in the town was engaged
in the work of constructing boats and
raftS TO aid in reScuing the people who
were clinging TO the trees, who had found
Judgment on the tops of remaining houses
or who had taken refuge on the high points
of ground. Many of these were without
clothes and were cold and stiff when res
cued. Their appeals for help were heart
rending. Many parties who attempted to
rescue them in the frail boats were them
selves dashed into the water and barely
saved. Before noon no less than a dozen
citizens who had attempted to help the un-
fortunate were
THEMSELVES CRYING FOR HELP
from the tops of trees. Horses could not
live in the strong current, and so the people
had to wait until the food subsidized before
any substantial relief could be given. By
night nearly all of the living had been
rescued from their perilOuS positions, though
few could not be rescued. A party was
out all night endeavoring to rescue those
remaining. The Medicine River was eight
feet higher than ever known, but so far as
known no lives were lost on this stream.
the people not having dared at any time tc
live or come too near its banks. However.
hundreds of cattle were drowned by tn,
Lodi iafn c,I.I r.
were ruined and fences torn away. Much
stock was also lost on Elm Creek and hun
dredS of dead animals line its banks. The
flood started at dark Monday night, north
west of here. Witnesses say that for six
hours the rain actually poured, and then a
great water spout burst. and sudden rise
here of ten feet occurred in less than ten
minutes. The severe storm appears not
to have extended west of Sun City or far
north of Elm Mills. G.. w. Paddock, wife
and four children, living ten miles north on
Elm Greek were overwhelmed by the flood
which completely destroyed their house
The bodies of the wife and three of the
children have been recovered. The wife
and child of Frank Simpler of this town
were on top of their house and can not be
heard of. Simpler was carried two miles in
the water and escaped barely alive. Jerry
Gibbs, his daughter, Mrs. Harris and her
daughter were all drowned.
THE BODIES OF THE TWO WOMEN
have been recovered. Charlie Smith. Of
COwley County, mover, has rot been
found. Samuel Maddox, of Chautauaua
County, with his wife and seven children |
and brother-in-law, Robert Soag. of Clinton /
County. Mo-, We're camped near Elm Creek |
The wife and four children were drowned |
Her body and those of two children were 1
Maddox lost his team but re-
covered trunk containing nearly 50. 900. /
One daughter and son remained in the tree |
tops eight hours. -Four wagons cOntairIng
movers are unheard of yet, and it is sup |
posed they were all drowned and that their
bodies will be found below here. No
news has been received from below here
on Medicine River further than ten miles,
but the suppOsition is that the loss of lite
will be great. The city council has organ
Zed relief association and thousands of |
dollars have already been subscribed. All |
dead bodies recovered up to to-day will be !
buried this afternoon. The district court |
has adjourned until the excitement is over
and the court room has been turned into
mOrgue. Judge Omer is out with search
ng parties. Sun City and Lake City, est,
we're not seriously damaged, though III
undated. Elm Mills was also covered with
water, but no loss of life occurred.