Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-11

iowlands into the channels Of the Missis-
slppi and Missouri rivers which swells the
torrent at st. Louis.
Denverslde, a suburb Of East st. Louis
was completely inundated. and Alta sita
farther to the east. was half flooded last
night II the river rises even a fraction
more the water must swamp Alta sita
From the ordinary course OF the Missis-
sippi TO the Illinois bluffs is from five to
eight miles but tonight the flood laps the
foot OF the bluffs,
AS soon as news OF the inundation spread
through St. Louis the whole city became
excited. Rumore OF deaths started thou
sands of sightseers across Eads bridge to
view the calamity. But the authorities
in East st. Louis we're prepared to meet
Just such a host of curious people. Beyond
the eastern approach to Eads bridge is a
strip OF street half a mile long, leading to
the viaduct over what ordinarily is Caho-
kia creek. This viaduct is the entrance
into East st. Louis and across II entrance
ropes were early stretched by police officers
who stood behind them under orders to
allow no egress into the city of those who
would only hinder the work of rescue. At
the East st. Louis end of the viaduct sim
liar prohibiuve measures had been taken.
East st. Louis was practically shut of
from the world. Even refugees with babes
in arms and bundles Of belongings, who de-
sired TO proceed to st. Louis, were stopped
and questioned as to their destination in
the Missouri city and until they could
demonstrate that they were sure Of being
taken care Of by friends they were turned
back to the relief offered by the city.
Tin stars were hurriedly made and fas-
tened to pins for attachment by the local
authorities, and reporters and citizens
generally who volunteered to render every
assistance possible, and that meant prac-
tically every able-bodied man, was fur
nished with these badges and could freely
pass the lines OF guarding police stationed
throughout the city.
Cameras Are Barred Out.
Newspaper photographers and persons
with cameras were dealt with uncere-
moniously. One newspaper photographer
who had been warned not to take a picture
Of the flood. but who persisted was
knocked down and his camera broken. He
was told that unless he departed he and
his camera would be thrown into the water.
He departed.
just opposite the Broadway and Tenth
street landing, 200 feet from Shore stands a
locomotive. Of the Southern railway, with
water halfway to the top OF the boiler.
This engine was pushing cars loaded with
dirt to the threatened Illinois Central en-
bankment last night when the rush of
water came, Just as the water struck the
moving engine It left the track and was
stopped With water slowly creeping UT
to quench the fire the engineer remained in
his cab and shrieked the whistle until the
rising water stopped him. 1t Is said this
locomotive sounded the last warning to the
Inhabitants. Then the engineer climbed out
Of his cab and swan ashore.
This afternoon the large headlight and
rear light were taken from the engine and
stationed along the shore to throw illumi-
mating rays across the water and assist the
reecuers In their work.
Riot guns were collected by Chief of
Police Prirdy today and tonight given out
to guards to patrol the streets where hun
dreds of dollars worth of furniture is
stacked and the sand bag levees. and
thieves or possible levee cutters are to be
shot down instantly. Martial law has not
been officially proclaimed, but East st.
Louis is practically being so governed and
Is no place for idle. curious persons.