Omaha daily bee., 1895-07-31
DROWNED In THE STREETS
Wagon Overturned and Two Of the 0cou-
pants Lose Their Lives.
HEAVIEST RAIN KNOWN IN YEARS
Rivers and Creeks throughout SOUTH
eastern Kansas All out of Their
Banks-Grent Damage
Done to Crops.

FORT SCOTT, Kan, July 3O.-An unprec-
edented precipitation of rain in the south
east corner of Kansas this morning has again
flooded the streams and caused destruction to
life and property. In seven hours 422 inches
Of water fell in the city, and this evening
the entire lower portion Of the town is in
undated. Two fatalities have so far resulted
from the sudden rise. The Missouri Pacific
shops are surrounded and the train service
has been partially abandoned. Many families
have been driven from their homes by the
trespassing river which Is still rising, and
another storm is threatening. The Mar
maton river, Mill creek and Buck run have
become one stream, spreading over sections
of land which have not for years been sub
merged.
Walter Austin and Willie Gould we're
drowned this evening on one of the principal
streets, and o. Austin, father of Walter, was
carried 200 yards in the treacherous cur
rent, and finally rescued from the top of a
tree by boatmen. Mr.. Austin accompanied
by the boys attempted to cross Mill creek
bridge, which was surrounded by water, in a
| wagon. They proceeded $50 feet through the
water, when the wagon and horses were
| swept away. Austin made a desperate effort
| to rescue them, but was helpless and they
were drowned. The bodies of the boys had
not been recovered at nightfall.
| The Missouri Pacific passenger train left
| for Topeka on time, but compelled to
| return, and all traffic on that branch has been
abandoned. The damage to property will ex-
ceed that of the food of the 5th inst, which
was more destructive than any for years.
| The crops on bottom farms will suffer ma
| teraly.
STERLING Kan, July 30.-The Arkansas
| river at this place is at a standstill ani no
further rise is looked for. Hundreds of acres
! of corn and pasture have been submerged
and it is feared that the corn mas been dam
aged badly The river was two feet higher
than ever before.
WICHITA, Kan, July 30.-The Arkansas
| river is out of its banks and thousands OF
acres in Seigewick county are under water
The damage will be heavy. A number Of
families have been compelled to vacate their
houses. The river is higher than since 1877
Another six-nch rise Of water rushed dowr
the river late this afternoon and the country
| is now flooded for miles around Wichita
Nearly all the small bridges on the adjacent
| streams have been wrecked by the back
water from the Arkansas, against which they
were not secured. Another twelve-inch rise
| will flood the city. 1t is reported tonigh
that nearly that much water is coming thi!
way, having passed Sterling, ninety mile!
northwest Of here, last night. This water IL
expected to reach here before morning, ant
the low places along the river banks arr
being prepared for it. BY tomorrow nigh
the flood will doubtless have subsided, as /
fell nearly two feet at Sterling today.
| DENVER, July 30.-For two hours th
afternoon rain descended in such torrents
in this city that all business was suspended
The streets were rushing rivers and man,
cellars were flooded. Lightning struck th
residence of eXMayor Wolfe Londoner
which completely destroyed. Man!
minor cases of damage are reported
| BONNEVILLE, Mo-, July 30.-The wors
storm Of wind and rain in the memory of tn
eldest inhabitant passed over this vicinit,
last night. No fatalities are reported bu
the destruction to property is great. Tw
warehouses and an old packing house wer
blown down on the river front. Som Bar
rett's mill was unroofed and partly blow
down. The State Reform Scaool for Boy
was unroofed. The cupola of the court hous
was unroofed and the spires Of the Catholi
and Baptist churches were damaged. Shad
trees were blown down in every direction, a
! places entirely bockading the streets. TIL
following places were more or less damaged
= merca hotel besides several dwellings. Th
2 telephone lines are down everywhere and
! great deal of damage was done to fences an
! outhouses
! NEVADA, Mo-, July 30.-A heavy rain ha
been falling for the past twelve hours. TIL
Marmaton river today overhowed its bank
$ and hundreds of acres of growing crops ar
now under water. The creeks have covero
a large acreage of corn. The loss will b
} heavy. A prominent local statistcian say
the large fax crop has been damaged in tn
shock over 25 per cent