Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-04-24
Engulphing Without Warning
Many Inhabitants of the
Bottoms,
Drowning Many Persons Whose Bodies
Have Been Found While Large
Number are yet Missing
Latest Details Of the Horror, and the
Efforts yet Making 10 rescue
the Imperilled.
Further News From the Great and Fatal
Overflow a, Kingman, Austin, Tex,
and Elsewhere.

Terrible Flood at Medicine Lodge.
MEDICINE LODGE, Kss. April q.
Special Dispatch to the Daily Eagle.
Some time during the latter part of last
night terrific rain storm broke over this
section, and devastating flood came sweep
ing down Elm creek, the principal tributary
of Medicine river, which creek heads up
near the line of Pratt county and falls into
the river just east of this city. 1t is sup
posed that something like cloud-burst
occurred near Elm Mills, or otherwise an
unprecedented rainfall. as the waters came
rushing down over the bottoms and valley
Of Elm in perpendicular wave from five
to twelve feet high, tearing out and carrying
everything before it, houses. stock, trees,
everything, leaving death and desolation in
its wake Several entire families are known
to have drowned without moments warn
ing, and the people are dumb before the
awful calamity. Mothers end sisters, fathers
and sons, have gathered here uncertain of
the fate of loved ones Your correspondent
went to the scene of disaster early this
morning, and spent the entire day, and this
dispatch is being prepared and will be sent
the first opportunity to the nearest tele-
graph station. saw and helped to rescue
several people who were clinging to trees
with nothing to protect their persons but
night clothing, and some entirely nude.
Their cries could be heard as early as
o'clock above the roar of the food and be-
fore day bad broke. The water began re-
ceding early and rapidly Three attempts
were made to rescue parties beyond the
river by boats hastily made. The oeeu-
pants of the first one were thrown out. and
only saved themselves by clinging to trees.
The second boat was crushed like an egg
shell against tree. and the occupants left
foundering in the water. The third boat
met the same fate. and its occupants, three
young men, lodged in tree top, from
which perilous position they we're
not rescued until evening. The other peo-
pie who were rescued from trees and drifts
were covered with spare clothing picked up
and conducted to houses near by. five bodies
have been recovered up to this writing and
at p. m. another was discovered but can
not be reached before morning, or until the
water recedes farther. There were eight
movers or emigrsnt wagons encsmped in
the bottom and all have disappeared. What
became of the people is not known although
one of these, an old man. recognized among
the recovered bodies three of his own fam
lily, his wife and two little boys,aged respec-
lively five and seven years. Jerry Gibbs,
his daughter and niece, living together, with
their horse have all disappeared. The bodies
of Mrs. Harris and her daughter aged eleven
years, have been recovered. q. W.
Paddock and family, consisting of his wife
and four children have all disappeared and
are supposed to be among the victims of
the awful calamity. Frank Shippler find
ing no means Of escane, placed his wife,
child and himself on top of the roof Of his
house as ], sank down into the flood. He
was Knocked from the roof by projecting
limb and swan ashore in the darkness, but
the fate of his dear ones is unknown at this
hour. ! have got all of the most dstracting
features of this awful calamity, but fearing |
The developments Of tomorrow, l send you
his bv first opportunity which will at least
give your readers some idea of the heart |
rending situation until all the facts can be
cleaned and sent. J. +. X.