Milford chronicle., 1903-06-05

sons drowned, and over 5000 homeless.
All bridges to flooded sections are
washed away. The water is now re-
ceding and it is believed that the worst
is over. Rescuers worked for several
days knee-deep in water and sometimes
up to their necks, and saved at least
400 persons. People were taken from
house tops and trees at great risk, and
many were in a half famished cCndi-
tion, having been compelled to cling to
their perilous positions for as long as
70 hours.
Briefly stated. the present condition
of the flood is this:
Known dead-4S.
About 5000 people without homes.
Over 100000 loss OF property.
Banks collapsed, 2; wholesale gro
Gerry stores flooded, 2.
Big business blocks almost ready to
crumble, 80.
Wholesale commission houses de-
serted, 6.
River has fallen over three feet and
is now receding at the rate of two
inches an hour.
Distress very great among the refu-
gees.
Governor Bailey issues a proclama-
ton calling for help for flood suffer
ers of the state.
Fifty deputy sheriffs, armed with
Winchesters. go to North Topeka to
protect property, With orders to shoot
looters whenever they are caught
stealing.
One of the most distressing features
of the situation now is the possibility
that there will be a spread Of conta-
gious diseases. People of all classes
are huddled together in houses not
large enough for them. and on all
sides they are surrounded by water.
Doctors and medical relief cannot
reach the sufferers to any great ex-
tent. A case of diphtheria has been
& reported from the woolen mill in North
ToDeka, where there are a large num-
Der of children, in addition to the
adults. There is also a case of two
of scarlet fever among the refugees
on the north side Hundreds of cases
of measles are prevalent among the
children, and on account of the eX-
pored condition of the patients will
result fatally in many cases.
Provisions of all sorts are becom-
ing scarce in Topeka No freight
trains have entered the city for several
days, and as large quantities of gro
ceries were destroyed in North To
peka there will not be enough for the
people to eat if the present situation
lasts much longer. 1t is charged that
certain Of the merchants have formed
a combination for the purpose Of con-
trolling the prices of provisions.
It will be at least a week before
freight trains from the east can enter
Topeka, and perhaps longer An effort
will be made to scure a stock of pro-
visions from the smaller towns south
of here, and this may relieve the stu
alton somewhat.
A meeting of the representative
people of North Topeka who are on
the south side. was held to arrange
for systematic protection of their prop
erty in North Topeka. Immediately
after the meeting a large number Of
armed men left in boats for the north
side, where they will guard property
and their orders are to shoot.
The situation in the flooded districts
is better than it has been before since
the food began. Nobody is now cling
ing to trees. Not to exceed 400 people
are in North Topeka. The work Of re-
moving them began early in the day.
andit is believed that few will be left
In the flooded town.
Thrilling Reseues.
E. L. Bailey and E. NJ. Alexander
Oerformed some of the most heroic
tork of rescue. In the darkness, at
the greatest risk of their own lives,
they succeeded in reaching one of the
burning lumber yards and rescued a
dozen women and children. On the
way to the south shore one Of the
women tainted from fatigue and fright,
and this all but swamped the boat.
The men made superhuman efforts
and finally reached the pontOon bridge
with their precious cargo. Here will
ing. hands seized them and carried
them over the Melan bridge to safety.
This is only one of a hundred
thrilling rescues. The most prominent
men of the town dQpned oilskins, and,
submerged In water up to their
breasts, worked for hours in the cold
water. Women and children were
given the preference in the work OF
rescue.
By the aid Of small steam and gaso-
line launches 40 men in South Gar
field PARK were rescued. They had
perched themselves in trees. They
had nothing 70 eat for S6 hours. These
men were kept IN a fenced grove,