Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-11

before 9 scores Of craft were plying back
and forth across the flooded railway yards
rescuing flood sufferers.
The first boatload contained refugees and
some furniture.
The order was issued on the spot; IF
any more furniture is brought 1t will be
thrown into the water. II a man thinks
more of his furniture than he does OF mis-
neighbors-he must lose the furniture"
After that no furniture was transported.
1t was impossible for reporter to ac-
company any boat on a trip to the Hooded
houses half a mile distant. No boat could
be hired or bought and nobody except
rowers and refugees were permitted in
those thus used. There were so many vol
unteer oarsmen that reporters were barred
from volunteering, so the scene in the
flooded district can only be described from
what was hurriedly CLEANED from the res
cuers.
women Cling 20 Homes,
When boats were rowed alongside homes
where the occupants were marooneu IN
second stories and on roofs, In the great
majority Of cases the occupants could not
be induced to leave. They said to leave
meant that their belongings were at the
meroy of river thieves and they would
remain ana StaHO BudIu. ESSAhoiAS SAANNe-
the women were those most unwilling to
be rescued, although some wrung their
hands and wept in terror They were as
sured that Governor Yates had telegraphed
that four companies OF militia for guard
duty would arrive by nightfall and would
establish a thorough boat patrol with or
ders to kill river thieves on sight, and
finally the unwilling householders were per-
suaded to go to land.
AS wives entered boats that were too
full to carry husbands, or children were
sent ahead of parents, they wept and
cdasped each other in their arms In alb
iect fear that some calamity might forever
separate them. One mother knelt on the
housetop with hands uplifted in audible
prayer for safe voyage as her children
were taken away.
At the landing weeping women were ten
derby handed from the boats and staggered
from the water calling. for some missing
loved one. At the principal landings at
Broadway and Tenth street. several women
fc!nted after being assisted from the boats.
Horse Lifted to Dry Land.
All day long boats dumped their burdens
and started again for more. All day long
pathetic scenes wrung the hearts of by
standers but still there. was time occasion
ally to think OF other things, During the
afternoon the cry went UP along the land
ing: stand away everybody, clear the
boats away, Let that horse land.
Coming around the corner of a half sub
merged house, with nose barely out of
water. a bay horse almost exhausted was
seen swimming under water. 1t was feared
If boat went to it's assistance the horse
would veer or and drown. Hundreds OF
lips chlrped and called encouragement, as
the horse struggled on. Finally IL reached
the landing. but there was a depth of six
feet at the shore and It could not climb out
1t laid its head on the bank and moaned
in exhaustion. Twenty men sprang for
ward and the valiant horse, which must
have swan for a long distance, was fairly
lifted out of the water, and everybody
wanted to rub 1t down. 1t was led away
by a man who said he would make II
comfortable.
Business being entirely suspended in the
CITY, thousands of people congregated neaI
the many landings along Broadway, al
eager to render assistance and many
brought wagons TO convey refugees &c
shelter.
In the eastern extremity of the city, al
Washington Place and Rock Road, where
| there is a vacant area of many squares Of
| high ground covered with grass two hun
dred tents were utilized. BY noon forty
had been erected and by night commits
sary department had been established
From the Broadway landings to Cam
Refuge the mood sufferers were transporter
In wagons. Each family was given &
tent