Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-06-29
MANY ARE HOMELESS.
The Detailed Accounts of the Flood
at Cherokee. Iowa.
AID ARRIVING FROM MANY POINTS.
Fifty Houses Entirely Swept Away and q
Hundred Wrecked.
HEROIC ACTIONS BY MANY PEOPLE

CHEROKEE, Ia, June 28.-The work OF
caring for the homeless has been systema-
tized, and they are now quartered in the
Masonic Temple, knights of Pythias Hall
and Grand Army of the Republic headquar-
ters. All the public buildings have been
placed at their disposal. Cots fill the
spacious halls, and an effort is being made
to make them comfortable
The worst of the storm, felt by the Illi-
nois Central, struck between Storm Lake
and Sioux City and between Calumet and
Onawa, on the Sioux Falls division. The
damage between Storm Lake and Onawa
was repaired in two days after the storm
ceased. The Little Sioux river bridge, east
of this city, st. Howe truss, $50 feet
long, resting on stone piers and a
4OO-foot pile trestle approach, was
carried away. The company expect to have
the bridge so trains can pass by Monday
night. The line between Cherokee and
Sioux Falls will be fixed by Monday noon,
and business resumed Tuesday next to Sioux
City and Lemars, via Sheldon and Omaha
to Lemars. The line between Cherokee and
Lemars will resume business by next
Wednesday night.
The water was so high on the Onawa
branch it has been impossible up to this
time for men to get near the tracks, as all
the wagon bridges are carried away. By
Monday noon they hope to have it repaired
between Cherokee and Correctionville, so
that business can be resumed between these
points, but between Cherokee and Onawa
work will be delayed several days.
Tents Supplied for the Sufferers.
The crops ON the Illinois Central are not
~ 3l< axl
lowlands. The Adjutant General has
shipped go tents for the use of the homeless
people, which will arrive over the Illinois
Central from Tara tonight. The company
is sparing no expense to push the repairing
ofits lines. 1t has over 600 men at work in
the damaged district. Superintendent
Gillans is on the ground and rushing the
work. Al the cellars of lower Main street
are flooded and stocks of goods in business
houses are nearly ruined. The water was
feet and 9 inches higher than known in this
city for years. y
F. B. Yawn's stables were carried away,
filled with valuable horses. Some of them
made miraculous escapes, reaching land
with portions of the stable fast to their
halters. Others were drowned. 1t is hoped
some have escaped and may be recovered.
The lower part of the city was entirely
cut off and surrounded by water. A fire.
man on the Central road went out to inyes-
tigate, and becoming frightened, sent a
neighbor to ring the fire bell while he gave
the alarm. The bell quickly called the en-
tire city to the danger, and undoubtedly
was the means of saving hundreds of lives.
In two hours after the alarm the entire
Sioux Valley was inundated.
Heroic Action of Many People.
Fifty houses are lost and at least 100
wrecked. Thomas McCulla, editor of the
Times, rendered heroic and valuable aid to
the flooded district. With a fraiI canvas
boat he braved the terrible current which
was sweeping everything away and saved
many lives This was repeated in many
cases by others and acts of heroism were
performed which will go on record in hun
dreds of grateful hearts. The greatest won
der is that not one life was lost as far as
can be ascertained. The ladies of the city
are now busily engaged at Mrs. McKenno's
dressmaking parlors making clothing for
the unfortunate ones -
One of the pathetic incidents is that Of a
Swede who was seen walking dejectedly
around cupboard and box, and when asked
if he had lost his home, said eyes
SIS that all you have left?"
eyes"
The cupboard was empty and the box
contained only a razor. The homeless
people bravely met their misfortune, al
though it is sickening The appeal by the
Mayor is one that should be cheerfuliy re-
sponded to. The damage is entirely beyond
estimation