The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-05

the more substantial houses managed
to climb to second and third stories,
where they clung for hours through the
chilly night Houses in the western
part of the town did not at once feel the
effects of the flood and the residents
made hurried steps for safety, most of
them fleeing to the top of the levee on
the south side of the town. A large
number also reached the little hills
which are a mile from the town, and
from there saw their property crumble
in the muddy waters. When daylight
came this morning the streets were full
OF water 10 depth of 10 or IL feet.
Only the most substantial buildings in
the central business district remain
standing. Water is everywhere.
Rldgeway. which is II miles from
Shawneetown, was made the basis of
relief work. All rail communication
being cut Off for four miles out, boats
We're constructed this morning and a
committee started for the scene. They
reached a point within two miles of the
flooded town. More boats were secured
and the rescuers crossed to Shawnee
town. They found a sad condition ex-
isting in the ill-fated town. Hundreds
of those who escaped the rush of water
were perched on roofs, trees and along
the top of the levee. They were taxi
en- from their dangerous position az
rapidly as possible. Owing to the
scarcity of boats the work was very
slow. but more than 200 persons. includ-
ing women and children, were taken TO
the roadway. two miles from Shawnee
town, and thence to Cypress Junction.
Here the greater part OF them are
camped tonight. with very little to eat,
and exposed to the driving rain and
piercing wind. Cypress Junction is al
most surrounded by water. which has
overfiowed the banks OF the Wabash
and is covering the entire country. The
overflow from the broken dyke at
Shawneetown has backed up two miles
inland. but is tonight slowly receding.
Ii will be impossible TO recover any
bodies until the waters recede very
materially. In fact. the rescuers are
making very little effort in that direc-
tion, but are working to save those who
escaped alive. The Riverside hotel and
court house and the Ridgeway bank are
intact and found to have been used by
the fleeing inhabitants for shelter. The
upper stories were crowded.
Last night the Catholic academy, the
schoi house. city hall and the River
side hotel. all situated on high ground,
above water. were crowded with home
less people. Hundreds are tonight
sleeping on the water banks under such
rude shelter as they can construct from
the floating debris. Absolutely moth
ing has been saved I'm the city. The
stores and other business houses are
flooded to the second floors: all the
are under water from 10 to 30
feet.
Provisions are constantly arriving
from all the nelghboring towns. A re-
lief train arrived here tonight. but ow-
ing to the high winds and roughness of
the water at the ferry crossing all at
tcmpts to transfer the provisions across
have been abandoned. They have been
taken To the waters edge and at the
break Of day VIII be ferried across.
Governor Tanner this afternoon start
ed from Springfield 100 tents. blankets
enough for 500 people and a sufficient
amount of prepare'i food for the imme-
diate relief OF 200 people. He also
wired Attorney w. 8. Phillips. presi-
dent of the Gallatin county bank. to
draw on him for 1000 as an immediate
relief fund. As fast as relief supplies
are received they are taken by special
train 20 the waters edge. ferried across
in sklffs To Cypr'ss Junction. and from
there taken by wagon to within Two
miles Of Shawneetown. All the carpen-
ters in Ridgeway fell to making fat
bottom boats this morning for the
inundated territory. and en lmpromptu
ferry has been established.
The inhabitants of Ridgeway have
organized into relief committee with
Dent Reid. J. q. Brooks and G. NJ. Kimb
Mt its head. Houses have been thrown
open and as soon as a refugee reaches |
here he Is promptly taken care of. The !
heavy rain still continues.
At II o'clock tonight a telephone |
was received from Shawnee |
town saying that the south levee was |
and threatening to go at any
minute. II Is about sure that IL will |.
break before morning. This will create /
n current through the streets that will |
prove dangerous to rescuers in skiffs.