New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-29
EAST ST. LOUIS IN TERROR.
COMPANIES OF MILITIA CALLED OUT TO
KEEP ORDER

THIEVES AND RUFFIANs DESCEND ON THE CITY,
AN APPEAL TO THE COUNTRY FOR AID
HAVOC CAUSED BY THE STORM
East St Louis, ILL.,. May 2s.--Amost a reign Of
terror prevails In East ST. Louis tonight. Ex-
cept for 4 tug and few rowboats placed at the
service OF newspaper men and others whose
duties called them to the scene. the place has
been cut off from communication with ST. Louis
since last night, section OF the upper rail-
road portion OF the Eads Bridge having been
carried away. while guards were stationed at
either end to prevent pedestrians using the foot
bridge
The thieves and toughs of the city. however
reinforced by from the country surround
ing started in this afternoon to pillage the
turned trucks In the streets and the freight
cars or the sdings which filed with VAL
liable merchandise, groceries and provisions. The
small police force had been detailed to aid the
injured and assist in the task Of searching the
ruins, and, realizing that they were power
less to preserve order or prevent the pillaging
Mayor Bader called upon Governor Altgeld
for aid. He quickly responded by ordering two
companies of militia to the scene The first
| company arrived from Beeville at o'clock and
the second is on the way from Greenville on .
special train, and will be on the ground at /
X.
night and did the detailing of the troops about
the various properties TO be protected.
Before his arrival meeting OF leading citizens
was held in the First National Building In
response 20 a call hu'riedly issued by ex-Con-
gresham w. s. Forman and others. and, after
a full discussion OF the situation II was decided
10 issue an appeal for aid, which done
In addition to the injured in the two school,
houses there are ninety four MANNED women
children and men in st. Mary's Hospital Wom-
en- and girls from the surrounding country
poured into the city m droves this afternoon and
evening with bundles of old linen. clothing and
other necessaries and proffered their services a.
nurses. The good Samaritans were badly needed
by the hospital people and city authorities, and
nearly every victim in the public or improvised
hospitals has an individual attendant tonight.
In proportion to its size. the fatalities
and losses in East st. Louis exceed those
on the west side of the river. The larger
part of the central section of the city
is raZed to the ground, while the fats
along the river bank to the north OF the
Eads Bridge not house Is left standing. In the
latter section the loss OF life is terrible Scarcely
family seems to have escaped without some
member being killed. while in many instances
whole households wiped out OF existence.
The dead in this city will exceed 2oo Along tns
river bank were located several railroad Ireishs-
houses and offices In the Vandalia office about
fifteen clerks were at work when the storm broke.
The building was razed TO the ground. burying
every inmate in the ruins. When reporter
visited the scene at o'clock few men were at
work irving to rescu, the living. They paid no
heed TO the dead. BURT" Farrell, young clerk,
was found lying In the ruins beneath pile or
wreckage with both legs nearly severed BY
huge beam that had fallen across them. He was
pertectly conscious. and his pteous appeals for
aid were heard The handful OF rescuers went to
work with a will to get him out. but 1t was hours
before they succeeded. While they were at work
the imprisoned mans father arrived and lent his
aid In the effort TO save his child After the
workers got closer to Farrell they found the dead
body Of Joe Mitchell. fellow-clerk. lying close
beside Farrell In another part Of the ruins the
voice OF another victim could be heard feebly
pleading for help. He said he was George Rorner.
and that he could not hold out much longer.
There was no one there to lend a hand at getting
him out and even there had been he was
buried so deep In the ruins that 1t Is doubtfuI u
he would have lived until help reached him.
One of the most hearth ,lding scenes witnessed
was at the ruins Of No. 800 West Broadway.
Nine persons lived In the house. all OF whom
were buried In the ruins when II went down.
Horace Trump wife a.-d two children were
among the victims. Trump was taken out sps