The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-01

small building on Christ Hospital grounds.
1t has been fitted I'D comfortably and
nurses from the City Hospital VIII attend
the patients.
The Santa Fe has rendered its old shop
building for hospital and sleeping purposes.
The upper story is heated and bun.Ns have
been put in. 1t has not and possibly will
not be called into requisftion for hospital
purposes, but about fifty people slept there
last night.
By Tuesday morning a well-equipped
gasoline launch will be ready to take part
In the relief work. The boat will be a
side-wheeler. The work will be pushed
with the utmost rapidity. Just as many
blacksmiths. m~achinists, etc. as can be
handled TO advantage Will be used In the
boats construction.
part of his lime in North Topeka since the
flood began. In speaking regarding his ex-
perience there on Saturday, he said.
IL. L. Kiene and 1 started across the
river about 5 D. m. Saturday. II was our
intention to secure a boat in order to res
cue some of the persons whom We knew
were still at their homes. II was impos-
sible to secure a boat which was at all
worthy for such currents as we had to
contend with. There were two or three
boats which might have been used, but in
rescue some member of the family request
ed the use of these boats. For about an
hour I remained at the north end of the
bridge, assisting in landing those that were
rescued by others. At this place the cur
rent across Kansas avenue amounts to a
torrent. Its force was so strong that no
one could stand in it.. Very soon 1t broke
the entire end of the Skinner House away,
and the only way We could work was by
holding to heavy guy-ropes when were at
tached to the bridge and telephone poles.
DIFFICULT RESCUE.
cit was a pathetic sight to see cows and
horses in water almost deep enough to
swim, and dogs, chickens and cats perched
on floating objects. We rowed past the
Hanley grocery store and found a mar on
the roof a. the northeast corner OF jack
son and Gordon streets. After getting him
in our boat we started west against the
current, but we found II extremely difficult
to make Roadway against such a force Of
water.
Eat this time we were all exhausted.
Oakland was partially reinhabited tonight
after almost complete desertion the night
before. The women and children nave not
returned yet, and most OF the live stock Is
kept out on account Of the possibility OF
overfiows on this side that might arise
from the action of the north wind
A very slight rise would inundate the en-
tire east part of Topeka below the Santa
Fe shops. A backwater has been driven as
far south as the fence about the new shops,
a block up the street, from which the street
car tracks turn to the east toward Oak
land.
Oakland was not entirely deserted Sat
urday night. as a few men remained In the
houses in the east part OF the suburbs.
Close to the river, however, 1t was a COM
mon sight as late as 4 O'Clock this after
noon to see porches piled with a weight OF
stones and not a sign of life about the
place. The danger Is not yet passed. II
the water should in any manner get 10
running over the Santa Fe tracks, which II
threatens to do, all of the low stretch OF
land east of the shops would be under
water.
G. A. R. AND w. r. c. BUSY.
Sunday was a busy day at the G. A. r.
hall of Post No. II. This hall is located at
l1s West Sixth street. where seventy-ive
food sufferers are being cared for with meals
and lodging. OF this number more than
half are children. The member of the
women's Relief Corps are thoroughly or
ganized for this work and are not only
feeding but providing all under their care
with needed clothing. LENDERS of the post
and corps are providing for about forty 9TH
ers at their homes. The hall is open day
Even after the flood goes down it will be
some days before Rock Island trains can
cross the bridge here: The south end of the
bridge has been badly wrecked. and this
side of the first pier Is four or five feet out
of line. and has sunk considerably. The
rest of the bridge is apparently in good con-
dition.
The Schmidt meat market yesterday sent
all the men that 1t could get into the coun-
try to buy up all the cattle possible. The
meat situation in Topeka has become SER
ious, and everything possible will be done
to relieve It,. One of the men who was
sent out, and who returned last evening,
said twelve cattle had been slaughtered
twelve miles south of town. which. ne said.
would supply the wants Of the people tenn
porarily.
The rumor was in constant circulation
in the Kansas river at Manhattan, and that
within an hour or two another rise would
occur in Topeka. This rumor was without
foundation. me Associated Press mas re-
points to the effect that the water is fall
ing slowly. There Is no probability that
the river in Topeka will go any higher.
Kansas City responded promptly to To-
peka's call for assistance for help for fire
protection, and an engine equipped with
hose is ready for service at the main head
chemica engines at the headquarters the
danger from fire is not as great as IL might
be, under the circumstances
70 me Nave n'es been dr ,smy' M this m ~nS aepor wea
found TO have been rescued. Miss Mead
ans, who was staying at that place, was
also rescued.
OUTSIDE AID UNNECESSARY.
The Commercial Club is promptly refus-
ing all offers of money from outside the
county. Several offers were received this
morning by kilograms and 1t was thought
best at first to accept these. Later there
was a meeting of several of the members
and 1t was decided II would be best not 10
accept financial aid until 1t was absolutely
necessary.
One of the offers was from William r.
Hearst. of the New York American and
Journal George ID. Bernard, of ST. Louis,
proprietor Of a large blank book bindery
there, also ~telegraphed TO Mayor Bergund-
thai to draw upon him for 500. To all
offers of aid from outside OF the county the
Commercial Gu Is sending the following
reply:
''The situation is very grave and IL Is i'm
possible at this time TO estimate the loss of
life or OF property. We thank you sincere
liz for you offered assistance. but we are
not willing to accept aid from the outside
unless IL seems an absolute necessity. The
city and county and our own citizens will
provide for the present needs.
JOHN +. FROST,
President Of Commercial Club"