The San Francisco call., 1898-04-04
Fearful Disaster Due to a Breaking Levee
 in Illinois.
ShaneetOWn Flooded to Depth of From Ten to Twenty Feet and Houses and Tenants
 Are Carried Away.

loss of life at Shawneetown was at that hour 200. Mount Vernon is but thirty miles from Shawneetown, and the in- formation upon which the estimate is based is believed. to be reliable. The operator stated that the company S wires to the stricken city failed soon after o'clock this afternoon. At that hour it was known that the dam was giving away, but it was not thought that it would go to pieces quickly enough to cause the loss of life.
 By o'clock 1t was known in Mount Vernon that many people had been drowned, the estimate then being one hundred. A relief boat bearing food, blankets and surgeons was started down the river and was expected to reach Shawneetown before morning. Gradually the reports of loss of life in- creased, the estimates and stories com ing from various points near the scene of the flood, showing clearly that the disaster was far more disastrous than was at first believed.
 People at Mount Vernon and sur rounding towns besieged the telegraph offices frantically asking for tidings from friends and relatives in the flood ed town. No attempt at an accurate list of the victims is possible, however, and the crowds stood all night before the bulletin boards on which were post ed the meager reports being received.
 MOUNT VERNON, Ind, April B. The manager of the telephone ex- change at Shawneetown, Ill.,, at o'clock tonight gave Mount Vernon it's first definite news of the big inunda- tion at the little city down the Ohio River. This is what he said:
 "Shawneetown was inundated by a break in the levee a mile and a half noon. Three hundred persons are be- lieved to have been drowned. All frame buildings were swept away, and brick and stone houses and blocks are under water.
 "The survivors are in great need of help, and have sent me to ask neigh boring towns for immediate assistance.
 T am four miles from Shawneetown now. I escaped and made my way here with a portable telephone. I climbed up the telephone post and made con- nection and that's how you are getting the news.
 "The flood came with terrific dash and roar. Of course the people had been watching for any break in the levee, but they thought they were safe The water came in an enormous wave with foam on top. At first a untitled roar was heard. It grew louder and louder, and before all the people ir Shawneetown who had divined what was coming could rush to the hills fol safety it overlook the town.
 Tt is estimated that 300 were drowned outright.
 "All frame buildings left their foun- dations and were carried away on tht flood like straws, but brick and stone houses remained on their foundations although they were more or less wrecked They were under water when I left Most of the people fec to the hills back of the city, and saved their lives, but their possessions art gone They are in despair and frantic with terror and grief. Send all tht help you can"
 Mount Vernon people were advised al once of the news from ShawneetowI and began immediate preparations fol relief. Evansville and other nearby cities had been given the same tele' phone message by turns, and were ready to cooperate in scheme fol effective aid.
 Mount Vernon agreed to furnish three ferryboats capable of carrying ter wagonloads each, and besides, all river skiffs were pressed into service.
 These craft were loaded partly here and partly in Evansville, and in tow of two steamers furnished at Evans ville proceeded to the city of death as quickly as possible.
 People in Mount Vernon expect tC hear from the rescuers at daybreak and nearly every one in this city is sit The city is profoundly shocked by the disaster.
 When the floo6 overlook Shawnee town if the weather was like it was here, twenty-five miles away, the peo- | pie were enjoying the peace of per- feet spring day. The air was warm g light breeze was blowing, and people were walking about the streets enjoy. Ing the Sunday quiet.
 It was in the midst of peaceful scenes eiie1S eile IIlOuSleT wave came tearing down upon its unsuspecting victims hurling them to death.
 In the twinkling of an eye quiet streets were turned into beds for a roar ing torrent, and the strollers of Sunday afternoon, pausing to listen to the omi- nous roar, were carried into eternity ere they could reach places of safety.
 ST. LOUIS, Mo-, April 3.-Shawnee- town. H., has ~ooulation of about ty1I, h fp 1fe- l west bank of the Ohio River. The streets are parallel with the river, the principal business street being but two blocks distant from the water. The level of the river is about fifteen feet above the city and the levee bank is about twenty feet thick Situated on this bank and level with the river is the Riverside Hotel, a large four-story building. built by Henry Docher. The hotel is generally occupied fully all the year round, being not only a transient hostelry but families also reside thera