Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-04-23
AN AWFUL FLOOD
In Kansas Discounts the Ohio's
Jamborse.
FAMILIES DROWNED, CATTLE LOST
And Hundreds of Fields Of Crops
Ruined by a Devastating
Water Spout.
AWFUL SCENES OF DEATH TOLD.

WICHITA, KASs.. April PA special to
the Daily Eagle, dated yesterday at Medi-
cine Lodge, recounts fearful results of a
water spout or cloud burst to residents Of
Medicine river, which seems to have been
the same which filed Ninnescah to over.
flowing. The special says that the
water rolled down over the low lands
of Medicine Lodge City FIVE to
twelve feet perpendicular, carrying death in
its wake Several whole famiie are known
to be drowned Yesterday morning parties
who had gone out to give relief found men,
women, and children clinging to trees, with
nothing but night clothes on, and some
without any clothing, but still alive. Their
cries could be heard as early as four
o'clock in the morning above the waving
waters. Three attempts were made
to rescue parties beyond the river, but each
boat was swsmped and the occupants only
Savedthemselves BY swimming to trees Five
bodies had been recovered up to the hour of
writing the dispatch, which was sent over to
first railroad point by mail, while another
body was in sight but could not be
reached. James Gibson and daughter and
niece were washed away with their home.
A Mrs. Harris and her little girl Of ii
years were found drowned. G. W. Pad.
dock and family, consisting Of wife and
four children, are thought to be drowned.
F. Shipler put bis wifi and child on the roof
and his house went down. He was knock.
ed of by a projec ctIng limb and swan ashore
several miles below, but Of the fate Of his
wife and child nothing was known.
TIE town is situated between Medicine
river and Elm creek. Early Tuesday morn.
ing The foom came down the streams quick
" ovelfowing their bottom lands to depth
of about 10 feet. In Elm creek bottoms
dozen houses were entirely destroyed and
many of the occupants drowned or saved
only by clinging to branches OF trees.
In camps on the bottoms were
ten or fifteen emigrant wagons filed with
families and not half Of these persons have
yet been found. North of here entire fami
lies were drowned. Others made. .miracu.
lous escapes All Of yesterday streams
were so high that no communication could
be had with the east and to-day the first
dispatches were sent out Stores in
town closed yesterday aud every cit
izen engaged in the work OF
rescuiDg people by boats and RATS from
perilous positions in trees. This work was
very hazardous and by night there was still
some isolated prisoners. A relief party
was ont all night picking up unfortunates
People in Medicine river bottom have all
esca ped with their lives Hundreds Of
cattle were drowned and great fields
of crops ruined. Hundreds of dead
animals also line the banks
of Elm creek. Among those known to be
sst are the following: 6. W. Paddock,
wife and four children, bodies Of wife and
three children recovered; Jerry Gibbs and
daughter; Mrs: Harris and daughter, bodies
of latter two recovered wife and four
children of Samuel Maddox, bodies Of
woman and two children were recovered.
Four wagons containing movers" have
bave not been heard from, and it is thought
all the occupants perished. No news
vet from the country below here,
but it is feared there has been very
serious loss of life The town council or.
gapized relief measures and several thous.
and dollars have been subscribed. Bodies
recovered will be buried this afternoon. The
district court has adjourned and the court
room has been turned into morgue. Sun
City and Lake City, situated west Of this
place, were inundated, but the damage is
not serious. The village Of Elm Mills was
also flooded but with no loss Of life.