Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-06-28
Both Find Plenty to Do at
the Great Flood Which
DesOlated Cherokee.
A BRAVE MANS WARNING
Prevents the Horrors of Johnstown
From Being Repeated.
PANIC AND FLIGHT AT DAYBREAK.
Vandals Loot Every Deluged House That Is
Left Standing.
STORM NEWS FROM THE OTHER POINTS

FoKT LODGE, June 27.-The first detailed
Information of the remarkable food at
Cherokee, received this afternoon, explains
why no lives were lost. The down-pour of
of water commenced at o'clock in the
evening, and at in the morning George
Thompson a member of the fire depart
ment, became alarmed at the increasing
ferocity of the storm, On going out and
finding the entire bottom inundated, he
rang the fire bell. 1t proved to be just in
the nick of time The citizens responded to
the alarm with alacrity, and taking in the
situation at 4 glance, rushed from house to
house, awakening the endangered people.
The food increased so rapidly that many
families had to be carried from their homes
through several feet of water. To add to
the peoples terror an electric storm pre-
vailed.
Only One Avenue of Escape.
There was but one refuge from the flooded
district, the Main street bridge, and hun
dreds flying for their lives were soon rush
ing across. The rise of water was so rapid,
however, that many people barely escaped
with their lives in crossing the bridge.
Three men were on the structure when it
gave way, but saved themselves by clinging
10 trees.
The river rose SIX feet in one hour
People who refused to leave their houses
had to be taken out later from
upper story windows by brave
men manning the few available
boats. One man was rescued in the top of
tree when nearly succumbing to exhaustion,
and another was rescued from the roof of a
floating house Just before it was dashed to
pieces on the railroad bridge. All kinds of
animals went floating down stream, and the
struggling of the large number of helpless
creatures in the current made a sight that
was pitiful. Every house left standing on
the bottom was flooded, some of them TO the
second floor, and many were moveda a consid-
cradle distance, while others were showed
from their foundations.
Every House PiIlaged by Thieves.
Vandals are at work while aid is being
rendered the unfortunates. The flooded
houses all show that they have been entered
and robbed of everything of value. The
waters are now fast falling and prospects
are Frightening. A small steamboat is run
ming across the flooded district. A relief
committee is doing noble work for the suf-
ferers, but too much aid can hardly be rem
dered.
Words fail to convey an accurate idea of
the nature of the damage done here. Chero-
kee has in the last year increased its popu-
latiOn by 600. Many of these are young
people, employees and mechanics, the hard
workers and builders of cities with limited
means, who have been saving TO build a
home and have lost that home and all their
effects. The fo.tunate ones of the city are
doing all in their power to alleviate the
sufferings of the homeless.
Communication with the city by rail is
entirely destroyed, and it is only by fording
smollen streams and wallowing through
mud that anyone outside can reach the city.
Nearly the whole track from here
TO Lemars is washed out. The following ap-
peal was made to-day:
An Appeal for Outside Aid.
To the American public, whose hearts and
pocl1etbooks are open simultaneously to
every appeal of those in need; The enterpris-
ing progressive and always prosperous little
town of Cherokee is in sore distress. Floods
have rendered 500 people homeless and de-
pendent upon public charity. The damage
done will reach S2j0,OJ0. We feel that we
cannot meet the immediate wants of all the
people in distress, and ask the outside world
for assistance. Our people have always
responded literally to every appeal, for as
much we regret the necessity for asking
it VIC feel that il is only necessary to notify
the American people that our appeal will be
responded to. Contributions may be sent to
ID. IL. Bloom, Mayor, and our Executive
Committee will see that every dollar is
properly expended. Respectfully,
DAVID II. BLOOM, Mayor.
Yesterday occurred another most dis
sstrous storm at Ida Grove Lightning and
hail in abundance have done irreparable
damage in that section to crops and cattle.
The district stricken by hail is three miles
wide and ten miles long Barley is almost
totally destroyed. Wheat and oats are
damaged.
Fatalities at Other Places.
At Gushing and Correctionville the
houses were flooded. Two children were
drowned at the latter place, and lightning
struck and killed Chriss Kinne. Two miles
from Ida Grove the barn of L. Leonard was
struck, and two horses were killed. The
schoolhouse was struck and badly damaged.
The brown schOolhouse was carried away,
and is a total loss. The Rogers mill, near
Quimby, was washed away.
To add to the terror of the people two
gasoline explosions occurred yesterday. One
at L. Groszkruger's and one at c. H.
SchnesslathS The latter was fatal The
scene is indeed one of desolation and ruin.
Hogs, cattle and horses in large numbers
are seen floating down the river