Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-10
TELLS OF KAW TOWN FLOOD
Louis Edwards Writes Interesting Letter on
Conditions at Kansas City,
NOT PUBLISHED BEFORE
Says Yellow Journals Printed Many
Exaggerated stories and Predicts
that City Will Recover
with BENEFIT.

A letter to Jonathan Edwards of this city
from his son. Louis Edwards, in Kansas
City under date Of June 4, gives an inter
esting description Of the Hoods there a
few sldelights not in the published reports
are found in these extracts:
Conditions To-Day are much improved and
9Ss Of the 7Smpns machinery on this PHT99 sde 9
the Kaw was put In action. The water in
pipes is dirty and filthy; in fact, oontami-
fore city water can be used for cooking or
drinking. We, depend on cisterns which
are full, and wells and springs, which are
fortunately numerous and ovcrhowing as
TO quantity. The sanitary problem Is a
serious one. In the downtown districts de-
pendent on indoor closets prompt action
was taken. Closets were nailed up or
locked and tents erected over sewer man
holes and catch basins. This gave some
Temporary relief but is In itself menace.
as sewers are full and cannot empty theTl-
selves until the water recedes in the river.
Fears of food shortage were Entertained
for a day only and no one will starve or
even suffer. Potatoes on Monday were
$3.50 bushel and eggs from IS cents to so
cents a dozen. Some other prices rose TO
almost panic levels, but today prices are
Fakes Pure and simple.
Stories in New York and other yellow
journals about 10000 people homeless"
's,O 900 people on the verge Of starvation"
thousands begging for food on the
streets etc.. etc, are fakes pure and sim
cuRted to do Kansas City much harm. We
can take care OF the situation and things
are rapidly resuming normal conditions In
a business way, just as far as possible.
The criminal element is under excellent
control and crime and lawlessness has had
small opportunity. The whole police force
is on duty by day and the Third regiment
covers the city by night. They have a way
here of doing things up in short order and
losing no time when an emergency arises.
80 when the food became alarming the
chiefs and mayors OF both cities at once
closed up all saloons tight as drum and
arrested a few reluctant saloon keepers
They also gave orders to police and SOL
diers that any one found rohbing houses
nrebugs thieves footpads and water
rats" when caught were to be shot with
out any parleying in case any resistance to
arrest was put up This latter instruction
] think, has done much TO reduce crime
The fear OF the law, when backed up by
army men with plenty of ammunition, does
much. The police system has been admir-
able.
The loss of life has been comparatively
small. II is estimated as high as 200. but |
, question " II actually runs over hfty or
perhaps seventy-nve I'm this community, /
presume that One-thlrd or one-half OF those
drowned here lost their lives In attempting
20 save property. Such accidents have been
numerous. The unselfsh spirit shown has
been remarkable and every one is willing
TO lend a hand" / never knew a time
when people sacrificed so willingly and
gave so generously and put up with incon-
venience so uncomplainingly.
Ultimately the disaster win be of untold
| benefit to Kansas city. The attitude OF
| the country generally seems TO be Watch
/ Kansas City recover from the blow" II
will be TO Kansas city what the fire was 20
! Chicago.