The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-01
UHUUUt IIV ILUUDs
Thrilling Experience of a Party
Of Rescuers.
We're in Heavy, manageable
Boat.
HELD IN THE CURRENT.
Was Impossible to Get Back to
Landing.
Night Spent at Home Of Harry
PetrO.
DR.. A. c. Davis and Family Also
Left There.

It was o'clock Saturday afternoon
when Dr. J. M. Powell. a man of UNI
daunted nerve and strong as an OK,
and "a State Journal representative met
at the pontoon bridge near Secona
street and Kansas avenue and volun-
teered to join the men who were res
culng the bloodhound people in North
Topeka The imDrovised bridge reached
about half way between Crane ana
First streets. where the recruits en-
barked in one Of the scovvs used to take
people TO the bridge, and three strong
men held to the cable strung from
telegraph pole 10 telegraph pole ard
drew the boat along with their hands
until the south approach to the bridge
was reached A boat load of refugees
had Just arrived. There were three wo-
men and two men and several children.
One of the men was in a state OF coll
lapse and TWO men We're rubbing his
hands constantly to restore circulation.
The women appeared more calm. and
the larger children were crying, while
the smaller ones evidently regarded the
experience as something OF lark ana
smiled at their assistants.
There We're two street cars on tbs
north end of the railway bridge APP
proach and these We're used as slalloilS
rDT the rescued. "A torrent, waist utEil
and 100 feet wide. rushed across Kan
sas avenue and the approach TO tn-
Aelan bridge one OF the small push
cars of the city railway was used TO
transport the refugees through TINS
current. They were placed ON the car
and two or three men stood with them,
and then a dozen strong young men
pushed the car with it's load through
the wildly rushing stream and they
We're unlOaded. and those who were
able walked across the bridge While the
sick and helpless We're carried. Strong
ropes were stretched on the west side
of the bridge to the street cars, ana
men went back and forth along them
while the water reached nearly to their
waists. Some of the most heroic work
done was in the mad waters at TIC
north approach to the bridge.
Kansas avenue was in such a cOndi
tion that a boat could not be used in
IL. The water dashed across with ter /
rifle force and broke on the sides of the
business houses. sending spray into the
second story windows one or two
boats We're swept across Kansas ave (
nue. and the occupants were rescued I
only with great difficulty but so far as
known not one Of the brave men who
manned the relief boats or assisted in
the rescue at the south approach was
lost. w. II. Cowles had charge Of the
boats at the two cars. and also made
several trips, and w. w. Webb was in
charge on the bridge and directed the
homeless people to places where thu.
could sind shelter and food
WALKED ON A WIRE
1t was while the men at the cars were
busy taking care of boat load of peO-
pie that a shout was heard to the north
and man was seen signaling wildly
from business house at the cornsr
Of Kansas avenue and Curtis street 81
block away. Re had climbed to a pile
of Wreckage when had lodged against /
the building and expected help. The
men "a tine car shook their heads any
f|f mod hat
Inen the nan was seen to climb oul
on the pile of debris until he reached &
ttleefapn pole, and he assembled this
with apparent ease When he raac1s4.s T
the crcss-arms he grasped the slender
wires over his head and started 10 wqp, I
on tne telephone cable A shout greet 4
ed ilis manly effort, and ne successfully I
walked the distance 10 the next pole I
He was still beyond reach. and he MA,
tne second stage of his mid-air Journey
MlinouL accident An effort TO reach +
him failed and he then walked to the
ne Nl telegraph pole, where be descend (
Ie was dragged out. His name was
LOUIS Laing and he was the mosf 4
slold and unconcerned man in the
crowd II was not much frirhtened T
said he in reply to a question: Dhf,t
thought the brick building might fall
az, a"A tnought / would rather drown +
nave a2Vuu ME insurance. and knew f
my roiks would be pretty wen hxed
even II I did go down
w ME standing at the street cars "A
corner Of the o u. skinner brick resi-
aenoe near the bridge fell 10 and five I
minutes later the entire west end of f,a I
building tumbled in and the waves
rushed through into the parlor
START IN A SCOW
There We're no available boats and
both Dr. Powell and the state Journal I
reporter were impatient to make q trim /
through the submerged district in tbe
search of unfortunate flood victims
some one suggested that one of the
newly made scows be used and it was
linally decided TO take it, There were +
places for two sets of oars ana tba
boat appeared to be strong enough TO /
Withstand any shock for it was built of T
HeaVy planks and the interior was COW
cred with tar to keep out the water
young man. Bert Hartman. was taken
along 70 act as pilot and the party set
out q ne boat was dragged through the
current near Kansas avenue and then
the real work with the oars commenced.