Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-31

os-"s-s-s-s-s-s-~s-s-s-"-
Of everyone to the exclusion OF all else. An
| army of men volunteered for relief work
and It would be idle to place an estimate
| on the immense number rescued by their
| efforts.
Fire Chief Wilmarch was in a boat which
| came near being swamped. When his boat
struck the swift current under the Tenth
| avenue bridge IT was jerked loose from
the hold the men had on a safety wire that
had been stretched from pier to pier. The
chief succeeded in catching hold of the guy
wire, but was compelled to remain there
several hours until taken OF by a sliff.
The insane asylum is very near the river
on the south side and on account of the
| rapidly rising water II IS not improbable
the whole institution may have to be aban-
| doned before morning. The asylum is
| composed of ten buildings and is the larg-
| est public institution in the state with
about 5000 inmates. The asylum has al
| ready lost its ice and water supply and
great difficulty is being experienced in con-
| ducting the institution. There is no danger
to the inmates and when necessity arises
they can be removed IN safety.
| All day long the need of boats was felt
The Kansas river ordinarily is a very shal.
low stream and there are no boats Of any
size obtainable The small boats cannot
be rowed against the swift current which
sweeps the streets. II a steam launch
were at hand many people would be saved
who are now facing certain death.
Making scOws for Refugees.
At the Chicago Lumber company's yard,
A. B. Belts, a wealthy citizen and a mem.
Der of the legislature, had a gang Of mer
engaged nearly all day in making scows
that kept communication open on the
bridge that connects the two parts of the
town. The scows are clumsy affairs, but
they played most important part in the
work OF the day.
OF Topeka, is deserted. The people begar
leaving at o'clock this afternoon aftel
being warned by the city engineer
At o'clock In the afternoon the watel
backed up over the street car tracks ir
East Topeka near the Santa Fe sbops
The way for the people between Brewe,
street and the river to get out was no
made moment too soon, as that part O.
the city tonight is completely flooded.
Further out between Ennis and Bento,
streets the water rose early in the after
noon.
GhOuIH LoOtinE Houses.
. In this section many people are still in
dangerous position. 1t is said the poIic
have all the boats under their charge an,
that the houses in this district are giveI
this much protection. The houses in thi
) section are being looted and the polio
! are trying TO get possession of all tn
boats and stop the plundering.
= About o'clock a current began IN 40,
| with great swiftness through a break I,
the buildings lining the block betwee,
Z Crane and First streets This y,idenin,
, or the current made 1t stil harder worI
TO pull the boats across TO the pontoo
by means OF the line. Also a great In
, or driftwood commenced 10 come down m
, new current pressing with great fore
against the pontoon. A number Of me
were stationed at this point with nike mole
and II was only by hard and continuou
work on their part that the drift was ken
from piling up and pushing the bridg
away.
One OF the men who worked all IN
!, , afternoon with pike pole was DR.. Kaste1
cmef surgeon OF the Santa Fe The mos
prominent men I'm the city worked "a com
mon laborers all day.
. In the auditorium tonight 700 homeless
u people are quartered The society wome
Of the city are there attending TO n
. refugees needs. Great wagon loads ,
= clothing and provisions have been sent an
. the immediate needs Of the unfortunat,
y , have been provided for.
e May Spread an Epidemic.
II In this large number Of refugees Al
T. Russians, Italians and many OF the poort
) class OF the city's population numb,
It OF these are afflicted with conta gious di
I. eases but 1t is impossible TO enforce ar
0rI rap NJ IT.
Il the city say that as a result OF this ep
demic sickness Of all kinds may be look,
" for Quarantine regulations were lost sigl
le OF by the rescuers. Children suffering Wi
'e scarlet fever are compelled 10 be mel
r those who are we'll
II The county court house and federal bull
ID ing are crowded tonight with people Of e
n classes. There Is no lack OF help for an
m thing that is to be done, men OF all cal
Is ings and professions, white and black {
gether. work side by side doing whatev
q lies In their power.
y As the water advanced II became neee
IN sary 10 drive ambulances and carriages
- the south end OF the pontoon in water
~ deep that the horses had to swim. Amoi
le those VINO took hand in this work we
rs James A. Troutman Cyrus Leland. poll
- clans. pastors OF the leading churchS
Father Hayden OF the Church OF the A
a sumption. the county attorney. the sher
I'd and his deputies.
er Several we'll known jointists distinguish