Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-30
GUTHRIE'S DISASTER.
THE LOSS OF LIFE IN WEDNESDAYS
FLOOD NOT BEYOND TWENTY.
HEROIC WORK OF RESCUE.
Relief Measures Being Actively APP
pIied-Five Hundred Homes Gone.
As Many People Destitute-Damngc
Along the Cimarron Heavy.

GUTHRIE, OKLA, April 29.-1n the
stricken valley Of the Cottonwood river
to-day has been one Of heroic effort to-
wards the rescue OF unfortunates whose
lives were still endangered, and for the
relief OF the hundreds of destitute and
hungry Tonight 1t seems certainty
that the loss Of life In yesterdays deluge
will not exceed twenty. All day missing
people, supposed yesterday to have been
drowned, have been found clinging TO
bushes or drift-wood down the stream
from West Bluffs, or scattered in farm
houses for miles.
Daylight found dozens Of people still
clinging to trees. overturned houses or
timbers, in perilous positions, which they
had sustained all during the night. For
miles along the scene of devastation, 15O
people. homeless, half i'll from exposure
and hunger passed a miserable night,
and morning found them too weak 10
give much assistance, either to them
selves or others.
The scene I'm the fiood-swept district
this morning was one of desolation. The
river fell rapidly during the night and
when the sun rose the extent Of the
damage done to property could be seen.
The river was still bank-full, but the
water had receded from most of the in
undated districts. There was a confused
mass of debris and overturned and de-
molished houses scattered over the val
ley, where last night was a sea Of water.
The banks were Uttered with the car
casses of farm animals. Whole blocks,
where yesterday stood a home in nearly
every lot, were stripped, and huge trees
torn up by their roots, were scattered
everywhere.
WORK OF RELIEF.
With the first ray Of daylight the
work of rescuing and relief was taken
up with a will, and kept up with tireless
energy. During last night men had been
put TO work in lumber-yards. construct
ing boats. and dawn to-day witnessed a
dozen craft darting out from all direc-
tions to the rescue of the unfortunates'
The work of the raftsmen proved most
effective, and one by one the people were
Transported from their perilous positions
to places of safety on land
Every house drift-pile and tree was
closely examined in search for the dead
The family of Wesley McGill. reported
Yesterday as drowned. was found safe.
were those of Mrs. Fannie Rufiin and
her five children, all lodged in pile Of
drift-wood These, with George owen,
the butcher drowned while rescuing
others. Frank Meyers, Mrs. Jane Watt
Mrs. Francis Moore, Mrs. Drummond,
Mrs Dennis and child. and Mrs. Watson,
are the only identified dead. though many
are still missing.
During the day systematic relief was
perfected and carried on. Ferries plied
across the river. carrying provisions ana
clothing everywhere, and returning with
the injured Such were carefully cared
for in private homes in Guthrie. By
nightfall ample arrangements had been
made for the immediate care Of the home
less. and there was an assurance OF no
further suffering, at least, for the time
being.
Five hundred homes were swept away,
$50 houses were wrecked. and twenty
stores devastated. leaving l,Oo people
homeless and half as many destitute.
The work of supplying shelter ana 1000
for all these was by no means small
undertaking But the Guthrieites were
equal TO the task and tonight thou-
sands of dollars have been subscribed to
aid the afflicted.
DAMAGE ALONG THE CIMARRON.
The damage along the Cimarron river
east. is very extensive, and hundreds OF
farms have been devastated along Deep
Fork, in Lincoln county. Hundreds OF
men worked all day, rebuilding houses
along the stream.
The damage TO property Will be IN the
neighborhood of 100000. while that sus-
tained in crops may equal, or, perhaps,
double that amount.
TWO BODIES RECOVERED.
GUTHRIE, OKLA, April 29.-The re-
ceding food has left an immense pile OF
wreckage at the railroad bridge. six miles
below the city. Search for the dead was
begun at that point this evening, and
when darkness put stop TO the WORK
the bodies of a white man and colore
haby had been recovered. 1t Is claimed
that several other bodies have been sight
ed in the debris there.
An attempt made 10 count the resi-
dents of West Guthrie was not satisfac-
tory.