Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-06-18
VICTIMS OF A FLOOD.
Disaster Follows the Bursting Of
Chelsea Park Dam, Kansas City.
Four Persons Were Drowned Houses
Washed from Their undatlons--siesp-
Ing Inmates Caught BY the Angry
waters-Many Marrow Escapes.

KANSAS CRY, Kan, June i6.--Four
persons lost their lives by the bursting
Of the dam which had held the water
from Jersey creek in the artificial lake
at Chelsea park during the terrific
rainstorm last night The lake had
been fed TO its utmost capacity by the
creek during the heavy rains OF the
last several weeks and the dam had
been weakened by the terrible pres
sure of the water against it. Finally
II collapsed under the strain and all
the vast volume OF water was sent n
roaring cataract down Jersey creek be-
low the dam. The bank of the stream
were flooded for more than 100 feet on
either side, and everything in the
course of the water was carried with
It The property loss was very great
and could not be estimated last night
The water continued TO flow far be-
yond the banks Of the stream until
long after midnight, and the scene of
devastation was almost wholly under
water ut that hour.
Houses were washed from their
foundations ut points all along the
creek to the Missouri river. At Thir-
teenth and l. road the greatest dam
age was done. The water ran several
feet deep over the top of the bridge.
Many homes with their furniture and
the personal property of the occupants
were damaged and in some instances
totally destroyed. Itwas ut this point
that the drowning Of Mrs. Irene Green
lee occurred. She and her husband
were asleep in the basement bed room
OF their two-story dwelling at 2Oia
North Thirteenth street. The house
was lifted from its foundation
and was carried over Thir.
teenth street into the creek.
Mrs. Grcenlce and her husband
were seen together and when their
cries for help were answered Greenlee
was found in the top OF tree. His
wife could not be found. A few min
utcs after the house was washed away
he and his wife had been seen during
tho glares of lightning clinging to
each other. lie lost his hold on her
endcavoring to catch the branches of
the tree as they were being swiftly
washed by. He was taken to the home
of neighbor by the name OF Wright
and was given medical attention. A
family by the name OF Shaw had a
narrow escape ut this place and were
rescued by neighbors from the attic of
their home. They were also cared for
by the Wright family. Dwellings for
n block each way from Jersey creek,
on Thirteenth, Eleventh and Tenth
streets, were badly damaged.
Robert Kanute and his two children,
boy and n girl, aged eight and five
years respectively, lost their lives in
the food OF water in the creek ut the
bridge ut Fifth and JERSEY creek.
Along Thirteenth street no less than
eight two-story dwellings were washed
away. On the sides OF the stream cx-
tending from Fifth TO Sixth street the
water made clean swecpof the banks
and ten houses-most of them one
story bnildings-were demolished.
Horses and cows were washed away
from their stalls, and tossed about on
the debris generally to sink into q
watery grave. Amid the groans of the
Borrowing people who huddled In high
places safe out Of reach Of the stream
could be heard the believing and
neighing Of the dumb animals as they
struggled to reach high ground.