The herald., 1897-04-30
Are Not Thought to Exceed
Twenty
MANY OF THE MISSING PEOPLE
FOUND FLOATING CLINGING TO
DRIFTWOoD
Hundreds Found Uncomfortable Safe
ty by Roasting in Trees-The
Damage Is Frightful
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
GUTHRIE, O. T.. April 2s-In the
flood-stricken valley of the Cottonwood
river today has been one of the most
heroic efforts toward the rescue of those
unfortunates whose lives were still
endangered and for the relief Of the
hundreds of destitute and hungry. To-
night it seems a certainty that the loss
of life in yesterdays deluge will not ex-
ceed twenty. All day missing people
supposed yesterday to have been drown
ed, have been found clinging to bushes
or driftwood down the stream on the
west bluffs or scattered in farm houses
for miles.
During the greater part of yesterday
the roaring torrent cut off communica-
ton with the submerged district and in
the general excitement the death list
was swelled to hundreds. The negroes
who lived in the stricken portion of the
town had, in their terror given up their
missing friends or relatives for lost, and
it was the general belief that scores
had perished in their homes or in tor
nado cellars, but when daylight came
this morning the flood had subsided and
examinations today of the houses and
cellars failed to confirm the reported
heavy loss of life. Daylight found doz-
ems of people still clinging to trees, over
turned houses or timbers in perilous po-
sitions which they had sustained all
during the weary night. For miles along
the scene of devastation 1900 homeless
people, half i'll from exposure, passed
miserable night, and morning found
most of them too weak to avail them
selves of much assistance either to
themselves or others. The scene in the
fiood-swept district this morning vas
one of desolation. The river fell rapidly
during the night, and when the sun rose
the awful extent of the damage done to
property could be seen. The riveris still
bank full, but the water has receded
from most of the inundated district.
There was a confused mass of debris
and overturned and demolished houses
scattered over the valley, where last
night was a sea of water. The banks
were Uttered with the careasses of cat
tie, horses. hogs and chickens Whole
blocks, where yesterday stood home
on nearly every lot are stripped bare;
huge trees. torn up by the roots, are
scattered everywhere; great gulches had
been washed out of the Streets gardenA
were devastated, fruit trees leveled.
lanwns and flower beds cleared as level
as table, and fences are completely
gone.
With the first rays of daylight the
work of rescue and relief was taken up
with
tireless energy until nightfall tonigh.
made it impossible to continue. During
the night men had been put to work
ir lumber yards constructing boats and
dawn today witnessed a dozen craft
darting out from all directions to the
rescue of the unfortunates People who
had missing ones began searching every
where for their bodies, taking risks that
ordinarily they would not have been able
to take. Many Of those who had only lost
property went up and down the steram
trying to recover some of it-some parts
Of house, bed clothing, or wearing ap-
parel. The work of the raftsmen proved
most effective. and one by one the peo-
pie were transported from their perilous
positions to places of safety on land. All
day long the rescuers worked incessantly
and every house. drift pile and tree was
closely examined in search of dead. Ex-
cited negroes who had climbed to the.
roof of a house held an all-day prayer
meeting and their shouting could be
plainly heard in Guthrie. They were all
finally rescued. The family Of Wesley
McGill, reported yesterday as drowned.
was found safe. The only bodies found
during the day were those of Mrs. Fam
ME Ruffin and five children, all lodged in
a pile of driftwood. Those, with George
Owen, the butcher drowned while res
cuing others; Frank Myers, Mrs. Ella
Dumas, Mrs. Jane Watt, Mrs. Frances
Moore, Mrs. Drummond, Mrs Dennis
and child and Mrs. Watson are the only
identified dead. Many persons are still
missing, however.
During the day systematic relief was
perfected and carried on. Ferries Piled
across the river, carrying provisions and
clothing everywhere, and returning with
any injured or urgent cases of distress.
Such were carefully cared for in pri-
vate homes in Guthrie By nightfall ann
pie arrangements had been made for the
care of the homeless, and
there was an assurance of no further
suffering, dl ledSl LOT the tlfilt ptiu8s
Five hundred homes have been SWEPT
away, $50 houses were wrecked and 20
stores devastated, leaving 1000 people
homeless and half as many destitute.
and the work of supplying shelter ana
food for all these was no mean under
taking But the Guthrieites were equal
to the task. and by tonight thousands Of
dollars had been subscribed to aid the
afflicted and was being distributed with
good effect under the direction Of the
Guthrie club.
The damage along the Cimurron river
east is very extensive, and hundreds OF
fafms have been devastated along Deep
Fork in Lincoln county. Hundreds Of
men worked all day rebuilding houses
along the stream or strengthening or
tearing down damaged bridges, ~ the
case warranted.
The Santa Fe had 500 men working on
It's tracks alone. Late this afternoon
trains were running north. but 4 VIII -