The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-04-29

of the water-works system burst where
it crossed the Cottonwood in the south.
ern part Of the city and all the water
in the reservoirs burst into the river.
In the southwestern part of the city
long arm of land is formed by the
widening of the river On this land
lived hundreds of negroes. During
the night the bridge leading across the
river to the city had been swept away.
the people were absorbed in watching
the rising waters when the flood from
the reservoirs
Came Down in Solid Wall
and out across the arm of land near
the mainland, cutting Oft the people
from escape. They fled from their
homes to the higher parts of the newly
formed island. The river by o'clock
was 30 feet higher than its usual level.
1t is believed that there was much
loss of life in that part of the city, but
the authorities are too much bewil-
dered to make it possible to ascertain
facts now. House after house, many
of them of attractive architecture, was
away. The debris jammed against
the strong bridge near the Helms
ice plant. The bridge was torn from
its moorings and carried away and
horses, cows and chicks soon dotted
the river in all directions. Men and
women could be seen in houses beckon-
ing for help. In many instances the
water had reached the caves of the
houses. Many persons had clambered
into trees. There were no boats for
rescuing and men set al bout construct.
ing RATS, but the terrible swiftness of
the current, which boiled and tossed
as if in a tempest, made it impossible
to manage the crude crafts. The Guth-
RE club quickly organized rescuing
party and began the construction Of
boats. Three daring raftsmen sought
to rescue an cid man from tree. The
raft, as it rushed down the river, was
watched with breathless excitement
1t struck the overhanging limbs and
the raftsmen were knocked from their
feet. They managed to stay on the
raft, however, and it went whirling
tOWdTu INC ClmdTTOu. udS
since been heard Of the men.
Secured a Small Steamer.
Two mer secured small stern wheel
pleasure b;a and heroically went to
the rescuGof number of men and
women who were lodged in trees.
Many persons were rescued amid the
cheers of the spectators. The cable
which held the boat suddenly parted,
and the boat was drawn into the cur.
rent and carried away. Fortunately
it was finally landed farther down the
stream.
Many overturned houses can be seen
far ont in the food, but it will be hours
before the fate of their occupants
can be learned. There are many
persons who claim to have seen
persons drowned. 1t will be almost
impossible to find the bodies
before weeks have passed, as everything
is swept into the Cimarron river two
miles away. The Cimarron river is
from one to two miles wide. The
large wagon bridge has gone out and it
is feared that the newly completed
steel bridge of the Santa Fe railway is
weakened The tracks of the Santa Fe
are submerged and traffic has been
abandoned. Small railway bridges in
all directions have been washed out.
The losses in Guthrie will reach thou
sands of dollars. The disaster equals
the Chandler tornado for its terrible
suddenness.
Nearly Foot of Rain.
The heayiest rain in years has fallen
throughout the territory, continuous
downpour keeping up for seyen hours.
All creeks are up to the danger point
/ and some out of their banks. South.
west of Waterloo, in this county, a
waterspout occurred, and half dozen
farms were inundated. Near Clifton,
Lincoln county, scores Of farms have
been swept Of everything and many
cattle and horses drowned. Near
Gushing, Payne county, dozens of peo.
pie have been driven from their homes
| by high water. In the western part OF
Logan county several large bridges on
have been abandoned, and trains in
every direction are delayed by wash.
outs. The Rock Island bridge over the
North Canadian has been moved sew.
eral inches out of line, the water being
up to the rails At Ell Reno lightning
struck the Presbyterian church spire
and the negro schoolhouse, knocking
children right and left, but killing
none. The total rainfall since Satur'
day noon amounts to 11.9S inches. II
is still raining hard with prospects of q
continued heavy fall.
Rumors of Great Loss of Life.
GUTHRIE, o. T., April 20. -Rumors
Of an appalling loss of life as result
Of the food are in constant circulation
some placing the number of dead a,
from 100 to 200. There is no way Of
getting at the real extent of the dis
aster now, however. While it is be-
ieved the above estimate is exaggerat.
ed, the growing indications are that
previous estimates of the dead have al
least been conservative