Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-12
TENTS FOR THE HOMELESS
DsS MOines People, Driven from Home by
, Water, Camp in the Parks.
PROBLEM OF FEEDING THEM is SERIOUS
Des Moines and Coon Rivers at q
stand and Relief IL Expected
Soon Unless More Rain
Falls.
(From a stan correspondents

OGC ANOA%NASi Julg
dreds Of homeless persons spent last night
in public parks, in tents or unhoused, or on
roofs, and arose at daylight this morn
ing, only to find that while there had been
a slight recedence in the waters Of the
Des Moines and Coon rivers, It was SO
slight as to give no immediate relief. The
city and county officials have gone TO
work on relief measures and are organ
lied for taking care of the homeless people
until they can get back into their houses
again.
The city has converted its former small
pox hospital into a lodging house for the
homeless and the city hall and jail have
been filled with cots. These can accom-
modate but a small portion Of those who
need shelter, however, and tents are being
distributed at the scho0lhouse yards and
parks.
1t is believed the situation in the flooded
district cannot be materially relieved for
several days and that when the water
finally reaches its former channel an cpl
demic OF malaria and typhoid will pre-
vail. The water Is black and foul. 1t is
filed with overturned houses, garbage, car
casses of dead animals and other debris.
1t spreads out over more than a mile OF
territory through the lower portion OF the
city, formerly occupied by houses.
Drowned While Out in Boat.
Thomas Crooks, a man about 40 years
Of age, was drowned this evening. He and
two women were out in a boat, which was
overturned by the current. The women
were rescued, but Crooks could not be
reached. He was we'll known as a saloon
keeper and promoter OF sports and had
many friends. sa
The estimate of losses varies greatly.
The additional damage done last night
brings the actual damage possible up to
5000 900, but this will cover all Of the
losses. The business houses have been
idle and in the wholesale district but little
can be done for some time.
In the neighborhood Of $50 tents have
been rented by Mayor Brenton. This num-
Der was augmented by the addition Of fifty
belonging to the Iowa National guard,
which were offered by Governor Cummins,
The tents are placed at the different parks
throughout the city. The Children's park
near the First street bridge is dotted with
the white canvas houses, as is Franklin
square and Governor square on the East
side. V To these tents the people are sent
after they have been fed, Policemen are
in charge of the tents and they are placing
bedding in each one as fast as It is pos
sible. ... boz,
In, addition to this all the schoolhouses
on the southeast bottom which are not
under water have been appropriated by
the homeless. hlafa lc'r
s Feed People at Jail.
,jarler ~shGroteii has fed over $50 persons
since yesterday noon. These people go ia
the police station where the big-hearted
jailer takes them in charge and admins
tiers to their physical wants. so Tar as food
is concerned. The people. in most cases
women and children, will hereafter be sent
to the supply depot. and thence to their
tents. .- 80
The police are. well-nigh exhausted. For
over thirty-six hours they have been on
duty. Yet not one failed to appear this
morning when told to continue on the
Southside.. The ambulance has been on
duty for over forty-eight hours, and Driver
Shes this morning resembled a shadow,
One OF the ambulance horses died from ex-
haustion at 10 o'clock and the other is In
a bad condition.
The Great Western and Keokuk & West
ern roundhouses are completely submerged
and neither road can cross the river, owing
to washouts and destruction OF bridges.
The Great Western can haul no freight,
but Is maintaining Its passenger service by
transferring passengers across the river
by means of omnlbuses.
At 8 o'clock the Raccoon and Des Moines
rivers we're apparently at a standstill.
The Des Moines had declined but six
inches from the highest mark during the
flood and the Raecoon had apparently de-
clined even less. T
Estimate of Losses.