The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-06-01
Messages Being Sent 10 The
Stricken District
PEOPLE ATTEND SERVICE
People Living In Passenger Coaches.
Fire Again Brakes Out-Atten-
ton Turned to Securing
Food for People.

|
messages of cities offering assistance was
one from the Galveston Tribune reading:
"If we can do anything at all In the
aid of your city, please feel free to call
on u.s."
Other messages from Kansas towns
authorized the commission here to draw
on individuals for stated sums and as
soon as the malls open great number
of contributions form outside towns are
expected to arrive, 1t will be necessary
to raise a great fund for relief work.
Weeks must elapse before order can be
restored.
A representative of the Associated Press
walked out on the pontoon bridge to the
Melan arch bridge where satisfactory
view of the flood situation could be OBJ
tanned. Looking TO the north as far as the
eye could reach was one expanse OF
water, dotted here and there by wrecked
or crumbling buildings
The half mile from Second street to the
Mean bridge was covered with water
six to twelve feet deep, through which
a mad current was flowing. On either
side of the pontoon bridge were brick bus
mess buildings, slxty-three in number.
which are completely ruined by high wa
ter. This is the district in which all the
| wholesale commission houses were situa-
ted and immense amounts have been lost
| by the commission men. All this is on
the south side of the river, where the
damage has been comparatively insig-
nihcant.
BY venturing out In. the stream in
boat as far as the raging current would
allow 1t was ascertained that last nights
reports regarding the burning buildings
| were somewhat overdrawn.
! Last night the whole northern part or
Topeka seemed to be In flames. Closer
| investigation this afternoon disclosed the
fact that only one-third of the buildings
on the north side were destroyed by fire.
Fully half of the remaining buildings are
so damaged by the water that they are
useless. There is not house in the en-
! tire north part of town that has not been
damaged When the value Of the stocks
of merchandise destroyed is considered. 1t
| is seen that the loss assumes enormous
proportions.
Current Destructive.
The current is more swift and destruc-
tive tonight than at any time during the
hood.
The Rock island and Union Pacific
companies have abandoned all efforts to
keep their tracks In shape.
For the convenience Of the public and
| flood sufferers the postoffice remained
open nearly all day. All grocery stores,
meat shops and dry goods stores kept
open also to furnish supplies. The ply
slcians at a meeting this afternoon adj
vised the authorities to establish camp
on high ground near the city for the flood
sufferers North Topeka had an epidemic
of measles when the town was stricken.
Several cases of diptheria were also well
developed there. Many of the afflicted
have been rescued and great precaution
must be taken against the spread of the
disease.
Wichita and other cities on the south
which can he reached will be called upon
for provisions tomorrow. Already there Is
a scarcity OF meat and vegetables and
staple groceries are getting low.
More attention Is paid today in securing
provisions for the people penned up in
houses than to getting them out.
Boats from Emporia. Ottawa Kansas
City and ST. Joseph are all doing good
service They are hauled two miles above
town. filled with provisions and manned
with powers. Then they are run across
to the stricken quarters
A COW swan to the Melan bridge today
and is now making its home there. To-
night a woman with little baby was
brought to the bridge by the rescuers.
Both were almost starved. A rescuer got
a bucket and milked the COW and gave
the milk TO the woman and baby.
l.. - -
tinue to collapse.
Bowed Down In Prayer.
Notwithstanding their precarious con-
dition. many Of the sufferers held relig-
ious services today In the buildings
where they were cooped. 1t was a touch
ing sight, the rescuers say. to see people
of all walks of life bowed down In prayer
| together.
1t Is reported late tonight that streams
around Manhattan are rising rapidly. IL
this Is true. 1t means much water In To-
peka tomorrow morning
II the river falls three feet lower here
the water company will again start its
engines and this will relieve much Of the
distress in the city.
Tonight fifty or more Hood sufferers are
living In passenger coaches on the Rock
Island tracks. Water surrounded the cars
but there is no danger.
At IL p. m. the lumber yard In North
Topeka again took fire. Houses are
burned out on either side of the lumber
yard, and the fire is not expected to
spread far Twelve engines and cars
loaded with scrap iron have been loaded.
on the Santa Fe bridge, and although
great mass of wreckage Is pressing
against the bridge 1t Is holding dts
own.
Two women and baby were drowned
tonight by the capsizing OF boat. They
had been rescued at the foot OF Monroe
street. Charles Estes and Miles Sawyer
made twenty-six trips out into the river
after refugees today
THE WEATHER.